August fairs/carnivals? (Pittston, Palmerton, Honesdale: appointed, rent, amusement park)

[EnyaGirl]

I am trying to schedule a good weekend for my family to visit me in August from NJ. I have a younger brother and sister, and I thought it would be good to schedule a weekend when one of the local fairs are going on. I also heard there's a place called Kanobels or something that's an amusement park? Can anyone tell me about that? I live in Dallas, and I'm hoping to find something relatively close...no more than about 30 to 45 mins. from here. Any suggestions/info is appreciated. Thanks!

[poconosmama]

The biggie around here in August is the GDS Fair in Newfoundland. Great hometown fun!

[poconoproud]

Knoebels Amusement Resort love it!!

West End Fair, Gilbert Pa. The 86th Annual West End Fair
gotta get a london broil sandwich if you go!

[ff18wife]

Originally Posted by EnyaGirl

I am trying to schedule a good weekend for my family to visit me in August from NJ. I have a younger brother and sister, and I thought it would be good to schedule a weekend when one of the local fairs are going on. I also heard there's a place called Kanobels or something that's an amusement park? Can anyone tell me about that? I live in Dallas, and I'm hoping to find something relatively close...no more than about 30 to 45 mins. from here. Any suggestions/info is appreciated. Thanks!

Still being the newbie to the area (a little over a year), the Wayne Cty fair, I believe, is the beginning of August and my family really enjoyed it last year. Also, I think Pike Cty fair is the week after, smaller but still nice.

[MermanMike]

Ditto on the Wayne County Fair....the Luzerne County fair grounds is near you in Dallas, it's right on rt 118. I googled the fair, and it starts on Sept 3. I've never been to it before, just driven by the fair grounds.

Knoebels is fun if you are into the amusement park thing. It has some cool old wooden roller coasters. It's like an old time park where you buy tickets for everything and can bring your own food to picnic, rather than pay a general admission price.

[Jackie2008]

The Harford Fair, Harford, Susquehanna County, takes place the week of August 18

[EnyaGirl]

You guys are seriously the best. Thanks!

[Retired Law 08]

August 1-9, 2008 - Wayne County Fair (146th Annual)
Route 191
Honesdale, PA
for more information visit: The Wayne County Fair

August 4-9, 2008 - Tioga County Fair (42nd Annual)
Wellsboro, PA
for more information visit: Tioga County Fair
some info for you...

[Retired Law 08]

August 6-10, 2008 - Carbon County Fair
3285 Little Gap Road
Palmerton, PA
for more information visit: Carbon County Fair

August 12-16, 2008 - Pike County Fair
Matamoras, PA

August 18-23, 2008 - Harford Fair (151st Annual)
Fairgrounds Hill
Harford, PA
for more information visit: Harford Agricultural Society

August 24-30, 2008 = West End Fair (87th Annual)
Gilbert, PA
for more information visit: The 86th Annual West End Fair

August 26-Sept 1, 2008 - Greene-Dreher-Sterling
Community Fair
Newfoundland, PA
for more information visit: Web Site Unavailable

August 27-Sept 1, 2008 - Sullivan County Fair

[ScranBarre]

August heralds in the Pittston Tomato Festival here in the World's Quality Tomato Capital. That might be something you and the better half would like to scope out, but I seriously have been disappointed with many aspects of it in recent years. The food vendors have become more expensive and commercialized, and many aren't even from Pittston anymore. The bands are terrible and are definitely oriented towards the "over the hill" classic rock crowd with terrible AC/DC knock-off music and whatnot. The last time I went there were a lot of emo/punk teenagers wandering around groping each other and using profane language. HOWEVER, I must say that your family might like the "Tomato Wars" in which dozens of people have an all-out tomato fight! I might consider doing that this year, along with the tomato run!

Knoebel's is downright AWESOME! It's a much more family-oriented theme park with very reasonable pricing, a wonderful carousel (I love trying to catch the rings!), mini golf, the Alamo Restaurant (good burgers if I remember correctly), and two roller coasters, including the critically-acclaimed "Phoenix" and "Twister." I think "Whirlwind" has been taken down if I'm not mistaken. You can pay for a hand stamp that covers admission for unlimited rides all day in the park with only a few exceptions, with the Haunted Mansion being one of them.

There's a lot to see and do in NEPA. Those who whine "it's boring here" are dolts who honestly don't realize how good we have it here. Besides, if you ever get the "itch" like I do to see RENT or to shop at Armani, NYC and Philly are only about two hours away.