YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The pavement is 133 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s just one temperature crews work with when putting together this year’s York State Fair in West Manchester Township.
“The grounds looked a little bit empty last week and everything comes together in the next couple days with vendors coming from different fairs or businesses,” said Montgomery Stambaugh, the communications director for York State Fair & Expo Center.
Pal Fontana has worked in the fair business for about 30 years and is returning to the fairgrounds for his tenth year.
“We’re here for 10 days and then we close and we clean up and we go right on to the next one in New York,” Fontana said.
Fontana and his team can spend a lot of their days working outside.
How do they stay safe?
“Water, that’s about the best you can do, shade when you can get it, and if you don’t feel like you’re doing good in the heat you get out of it for a minute,” Fontana said.
Fair staff also have alternative ways to cool down.
“Our midway is really good about encouraging their workers if you need to go inside, get some shade, take a water break, always do that,” Stambaugh said.
Opening day isn't expected to be as hot. But visitors may still want to be careful around certain surfaces. Some may feel hotter than it is.
“All of our buildings are air-conditioned, so we always tell people to take advantage of those, we always have ten misting tents throughout the grounds as well as two misting tents,” Stambaugh said.
Medical staff will be standing by to provide help to anyone who might be impacted by the heat.
Visitors are encouraged to wear sunscreen, light clothing, and hats.
Water bottles are allowed in the fairgrounds and people can refill them at designated areas.
Gates opens at 11 a.m. on Friday.