The New Holland Farmer's Fair is 82 years old, but before Monday it never had a home.
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The association that runs the fair attended by thousands every year has purchased a brick building at 101 W. Franklin St., New Holland, for $195,000 from clothing maker Meke Inc.
It's a bold move, considering the fair only plans to use the building one week a year.
"We're sticking our necks out a little bit," said Warren Peachey, president of the New Holland Farmer's Day Association, which runs the fair.
But the accessibility of the building in the heart of the town and the fact that the fair won't have to move its displays around year after year will ultimately make the move worthwhile, he said.
Fair organizers have had to rent or borrow space at various buildings through the years, he said. Having its own building will save about $3,000 in rental fees a year.
The association searched for years for a permanent home and considered four or five other possibilities in the last 10 years before deciding on the Meke property, Peachey said.
"It makes the most sense as far as type of building, location and price," he said.
The former sewing building and tobacco warehouse has been mostly vacant for five or six years, according to borough Manager Richard Fulcher.
"I'm glad to see a good community use" going in the building, he said.
Peachey said the fair association hopes to house its art, photography and needlework displays in the building's 6,700-square-foot basement.
Some work is needed first, but Peachey hopes the space can be ready for use in this year's fair, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 3.
A handicapped-accessible ramp, fire alarm system and emergency lighting will be installed, he said.
Eventually, the fair's fruits, vegetables, baked goods and canned goods — currently in the New Holland Ambulance building during the fair — could also be moved to the new building's basement, Peachey said.
The building has two floors, counting the basement. Peachey said the association doesn't intend to use the upstairs floor because it is not handicapped-accessible.
The fair association has given a portion of its profits back to the community through the years, he said. But it has also been able to save enough to put $95,000 down on the West Franklin Street building.
The association borrowed the remaining $100,000, Peachey said, and it hopes to pay that back in the next several years.
The association hoped grant money would help with the purchase, but so far state budget cuts have stymied that possibility, he said.
Steve Loewen, president of the New Holland Historical Society, said the new fair building was built in the 1930s and was used as a tobacco warehouse.
In the 1950s or 1960s, the building became a garment sewing factory, he said.
The New Holland Farmer's Fair was started in 1927. It's been held every year except for five years during World War II.
Peachey knows how many buildings the fair association has had to use since he's been involved with the fair — 15.
He doesn't recall exactly when he started helping to run the fair.
"I know in 1972, I bought a new pickup and got a good scratch on it that year" while transporting fair items.
Staff writer Ryan Robinson can be reached at rrobinson@LNPnews.com or 481-6032.
