Ephrata Fair

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Carnival & ParadeEphrata
Dates22–26 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesWhat sets the Ephrata Fair apart is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Ephrata Fair in Ephrata

The Ephrata Fair is a community street fair held each September in Ephrata, Lancaster County, and is widely recognized as the largest street fair in Pennsylvania. Rooted in a 1920s farmers celebration organized by local businessmen, the fair fills downtown Ephrata with a Wednesday evening parade, livestock exhibits, carnival rides, and agricultural displays that trace back over a century of continuous community organizing.

Its age and downtown fair identity make it a solid community row.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets the Ephrata Fair apart is its unbroken thread of local ownership: the same volunteer spirit that founded the Ephrata Farmer's Day Fair in the late 1910s still runs the event today

02

The mystery stays covered

Its signature Wednesday evening parade has anchored fair week for generations, and the addition of Tent City in the 1960s brought hands-on agriculture into the heart of town, with sheep, hog, dairy, and beef shows alongside a tractor pull

03

The city starts moving

The fair also carries a surprising thread of national history: 1953 Miss Lancaster County winner Evelyn Ay went on to become Miss America, having competed in the pageant held during fair week

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Wednesday evening parade is the fair's centerpiece tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

dating back to the fair's early decades

The sacred route

Living ritual

Tent City preserves the agricultural judging traditions of sheep

The local code

Living ritual

and beef shows alongside a tractor pull

Tradition 5

Living ritual

while the fair's pageant tradition produced Pennsylvania's most famous Miss America

Tradition 6

Living ritual

whose 1953 local win led to the national title

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

22–26 September 2026

Getting around

Driving from Lancaster or Reading is common.

What to wear

Casual and comfortable is the norm: September evenings in Lancaster County can turn cool even after warm afternoons, so light layers, closed-toe walking shoes, and a jacket for the parade...

Safety

Ephrata Fair is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Ephrata

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.18 N, 76.18 WOpen in Google Maps

Ephrata, PA

TransportDriving from Lancaster or Reading is common.
Stay areaEphrata

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ephrata via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ephrata, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual and comfortable is the norm: September evenings in Lancaster County can turn cool even after warm afternoons, so light layers, closed-toe walking shoes, and a jacket for the parade and evening events are recommended.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ephrata Fair?

Ephrata Fair is listed for 22–26 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ephrata Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Ephrata, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ephrata, PA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLephratafair.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates22–26 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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