YORK, Pa. — Friday marks the grand opening of the York State Fair, and vendors are working to finish assembling the fairgrounds before the gates open.
Many operators look forward to another year making memories for hundreds of people.
“It doesn’t get old," said Dan Stoltzfus, the owner of Stoltzfus PA Dutch Foods. "There’s just something about a summer fair.”
Stoltzfus PA Dutch Foods serves ham and cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup from their stand underneath the York Fairground grandstands. Stoltzfus says his family is excited to add another chapter to its 70+ year history at the York State Fair.
“You have grandparents bringing their grandkids, and the grandparents are saying how many years they came or what they remember when they were a young kid," said Stoltzfus. "So, we’re going back that many years.”
By Friday, hundreds of people will be lining up at Stoltzfus’ and other vendors across the fairgrounds. Vendor operators say it takes months of planning just to open their stands for the 10-day event.
“We have to get trucks situated with certain equipment that comes here, because we have a lot of equipment," said Gretchen Martino, the owner of the Santillo's food stands.
Martino says they arrive at least a week before the York State Fair to start assembling their stands. She added that preparations will continue until the fair opens on Friday morning.
“The fair opens, I do believe, at 11," said Martino. "We will be here by 9 or 9:30 to finish prepping and start cooking.”
Vendors say they look forward to welcoming customers as soon as the gates open.
“Longtime customers have been coming in for many years now," said Stoltzfus.