The Great Allentown Fair is an annual fair and agricultural show that is held at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is operated by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society.^[1] It is one of the oldest fairs in the United States, and one of the largest in the state of Pennsylvania.

The fair was first held in 1852 to showcase agricultural advancements and to entertain patrons. It has since evolved to appeal to a broader audience, adding more entertainment and dining options.^[1] Although it stays true to its agricultural roots by offering petting zoos, livestock judging contests, and a farmer's market, the modern-day fair focuses more on entertainment; it boasts a carnival, talent shows, and concerts.^[2][3]

History[link]

Early history of the Allentown Fair[link]

The Lehigh County Agricultural Society held the first fair from October 6 to October 8, 1852, on Livingston's Lawn, a 5-acre (20,000 m²) plot located east of Fourth Street, between Walnut and Union Streets, in Allentown.^[4][5] The initial fair was so successful that in 1853 the Society undertook the purchase of a larger plot of land, north of Liberty Street and between Fifth and Sixth Streets, on which ticket offices and a two-story exhibition hall were built.^[6] This location was the site of the second fair, held September 28, 29 and 30 of the same year.^[6] One of the most popular attractions of these early fairs was Stephen Lentz's Flying Coach, a brass band that performed atop a hay wagon.^[5][7]

In 1862, there was no fair due to the Civil War. During this time, the fairgrounds were used as a staging site for the 176th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.^[7] The fair resumed in 1863. In 1876, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a large reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill was held, which included many of Lehigh County's Civil War regiments and veterans as participants.^[8] The "centennial" fair was a tremendous success.^[8]

New fairgrounds and new name[link]

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, the popularity of the Allentown Fair continued to grow. However, increased attendance led to dissatisfaction regarding the fairground's size, facilities, short race track and small grandstand.^[9] In 1889, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society purchased a plot of land on Seventeenth Street, between Chew and Liberty Streets, to serve as the new fairgrounds.^[9] One of the primary features of the new location was a new half-mile race track, with grandstands capable of seating 2,500.^[9] In celebration of the opening of the new fairgrounds, the fair was renamed the "Great Allentown Fair."^[9]

The Great Allentown Fair in the 20th Century[link]

From its earliest days, horse racing was a popular event at the Allentown Fair. In 1902, the fair's half-mile track was regarded as "one of the finest in the country." ^[10] In 1905, racehorse Dan Patch set a record of 2:01 on the half-mile track.^[11]

In 1908, a new grandstand was built at the Allentown Fairgrounds that increased seating capacity from 2,500 to 10,000. As of 2009, this structure remains in use as the Fairgrounds' grandstand.

Between the years 1907 and 1914, airship races became a featured attraction at the fair.^[12] In 1909, two airships - one bearing the American flag, the other that of Germany, took off from the fairgrounds, raced down Hamilton Street, circled the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, and returned. The airship bearing the American flag won the race.^[12] The following year, pilot Glenn Curtiss took off in his plane, using 19th Street as his runway, and flew over the Allentown Fair, in what was the first known heavier-than-air flight in the Lehigh Valley.^[11]

The first auto race was held at the fair in 1915.^[13] Sprint car races were sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (until 1955), the United States Automobile Club (1956–1966) and the International Motor Contest Association (1967 and 1968).^[13] Sprint car legends Tommy Hinnershitz and Ira Vail both captured numerous wins on the half-mile dirt track, and Indianapolis 500 winners Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones all raced at the Allentown Fair before going on to greater fame.^[13] In 1960, Johnny Thomson was killed during a race at the fair when his car crashed through the inside track fence.^[13] Although the last sanctioned auto race was held in 1968,^[13] demolition derbies continued to be popular event.

There was no fair held in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. During this period, the fairground was transformed into Camp Crane, a training facility for the U.S. Army Ambulance Corps Service (USAACS). During this time, more than 20,000 soldiers lived in tents and barracks on the fairgrounds.^[14] The caretaker's house, which stood at 1701 Chew Street until demolished in 1960 to make room for a bank, was used as the officer's club.^[15]

In 1951, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, his wife, and his son Arthur attended "Father and Son" day at the Allentown Fair,^[16] a visit described by local historian Frank Whelan as "probably among the most significant moments in the fair's history."^[17]

Beginning in the 1960s, musical concerts and performances held during Fair week starting drawing major acts and large crowds. Roy Rogers and Lawrence Welk appeared during the 1960s, as did Johnny Carson and a touring version of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.^[18] Andy Williams introduced the Osmond Brothers in 1964.^[18] In 1964, Kate Smith made her first "community fair" performance at the Allentown Fair.^[18] Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass headlined in 1966, and the back cover of their album S.R.O. even featured a photograph taken during their performance.^[18] On August 8, 1974, Liza Minnelli delayed her concert while Richard Nixon's resignation speech  listen (help·info) was broadcast live over the public address system.^[18] Her performance later that night broke box office records at the Allentown Fair.^[18] Sell-out performances have included the Doobie Brothers (1980), Pat Benatar (1981), Rod Stewart (1984) and Bryan Adams (1985).^[19] In 1998, the Backstreet Boys set the record for the fastest sell-out of tickets.^[11]

Attractions[link]

The Great Allentown Fair offers many attractions:^[3]

• Grandstand - A large outdoor stage where the fair's big-name musicians perform
• Farmerama Theater - An amphitheater where talent contests are held and assorted daytime entertainment takes place
• Music Tent - A tent where bands perform when an area as large as the Grandstand is not needed
• Main Entrance Plaza - An area where special shows, such as juggling acts, are held
• Powers Great American Midways - The fair's carnival
• Agriplex/Agriland - The fair's agricultural-themed areas

Grandstand performers[link]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

1956: Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians^[20]
1957: Lou Walter's Latin Quarter Revue^[20]
1958: Variety show featuring Red Buttons, Ted Mack and Jonathan Winters^[20]
1959: Roy Rogers^[20]
1960: Grand Ole Opry Jamboree^[20]
1963: Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jimmy Durante and Red Skelton^[20]
1964: Andy Williams,^[20] The Osmond Brothers^[20] and Kate Smith^[18]
1965: Liberace^[20]
1966: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Perry Como^[20]
1967: The Supremes, Johnny Carson^[20]
1968: Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In^[20]
1968: Johnny Cash^[20]
1970: Johnny Cash^[20]
1971: Johnny Cash^[20]
1974: Olivia Newton-John^[20] and Liza Minnelli^[18]
1975: Johnny Cash^[20]
1977: Kansas^[20]
1979: Steve Martin^[20]
1980: Bill Cosby,^[21] The Doobie Brothers^[19]
1981: Pat Benatar^[20]
1984: WWE, Rod Stewart,^[22] Berlin,^[22] Thompson Twins,^[22] Alabama^[23] and Willie Nelson^[24]
1985: Alabama, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Foreigner, Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys and The Pointer Sisters^[25]
1986: The Beach Boys, Dokken, Loverboy, Kenny Loggins, Wayne Newton, Kenny Rogers and Hank Williams, Jr.^[26]
1987: Alabama, Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Loretta Lynn with Conway Twitty, Restless Heart and Run D.M.C.^[27]
1988: Alabama, The Judds, Lynyrd Skynyrd, K.T. Oslin and Robert Palmer^[28]
1989: Alabama, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Metallica, The Cult, Loretta Lynn with Conway Twitty, Wayne Newton, Sandi Patti and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ^[29]
1990: Alabama, Michael Bolton, Bobby Brown (scheduled to perform, then canceled), Chicago, Kenny G and Barbara Mandrell^[29]
1991: Sheena Easton, Joe Piscopo, George Thorogood and the Destroyers^[29]
1993: Metallica, Metal Church
1994: Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzig, Barry Manilow, The Beach Boys, Alan Jackson, World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling (then known as WWF), Reba McEntire, Vince Gill
1995: Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Jeff Beck, Santana, Boyz II Men
1998: The Backstreet Boys^[11]
1999: Thursday, Britney Spears, 98 Degrees, Tim McGraw
2000: Martina McBride (Replaced LeAnn Rimes), Destiny's Child, Goo Goo Dolls
2001: Blink 182, New Found Glory
2002: Jimmy Eat World, The Juliana Theory, Meatloaf, Coheed And Cambria (scheduled to play; however, due to band issues My Chemical Romance played in their place)
2004: Motley Crue
2005: Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin
2006: The Black Eyed Peas, My Chemical Romance(scheduled to play but cancelled) Taking Back Sunday, Circa Survive, Hot Like A Robot
2007: Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Carrie Underwood, Hilary Duff, American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Hinder, Papa Roach
2008: Brooks & Dunn, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Toby Keith, Metro Station, Secondhand Serenade, Simple Plan, The Doodlebops and ZZ Top^[30]
2009: Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Jeff Dunham, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Wayne, Kelly Clarkson, and Tim McGraw
2010: Keith Urban, Jeff Dunham, Rush, Justin Bieber, Weezer, The Gaslight Anthem, Lady Antebellum
2011: Bruno Mars, Marc Anthony, Big Time Rush, Sugarland, Journey, Night Ranger, Foreigner, Hot Chelle Rae, 3 Doors Down, Carnival of Madness Tour 2011
"'2012:'" Victoria Justice

References[link]

• Lehigh County Agricultural Society (1902), History of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, Allentown, Pennsylvania: Berkemeyer, Keck & Co 

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Great Allentown Fair Official website

Blake Shelton
Shelton in April 2010
Background information
Birth name	Blake Tollison Shelton
Born	(1976-06-18) June 18, 1976 (age 36)[1] Ada, Oklahoma, United States
Genres	Country
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Giant, Warner Bros. Nashville, Reprise Nashville
Associated acts	Bobby Braddock, Miranda Lambert, Trace Adkins, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green
Website	blakeshelton.com

Blake Tollison Shelton (born June 18, 1976) is an American country music artist. In 2001, he made his debut with the single "Austin". Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album, "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This song was the first single from his gold-certified debut album, which also produced two more Top 20 hits. Although the album was released on Giant Records Nashville, Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records Nashville after Giant closed in late 2001.

His second and third albums, 2003's The Dreamer (his first for Warner Bros. proper) and 2004's Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill, were each certified gold as well. Shelton's fourth album, Pure BS, was issued in 2007, and re-issued in 2008 with a cover of Michael Bublé's pop hit "Home" as one of the bonus tracks. This cover was also that album's third single. A fifth album, Startin' Fires, was released in November 2008. It was followed by the extended plays Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight in 2010, and the album Red River Blue in 2011. He is currently a vocal coach on the NBC reality talent show The Voice with Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Cee Lo Green.

Overall, Shelton has charted 17 singles on the country charts, including eleven Number One hits: "Austin" (2001), "The Baby" (2003), "Some Beach" (2004–2005), "Home" (2008), "She Wouldn't Be Gone" (2009), "Hillbilly Bone" (2010), a duet with Trace Adkins, "All About Tonight" (2010), "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" (2011)", "Honey Bee" (2011), "God Gave Me You" (2011), and "Drink on It" (2011-2012). Additionally, three more of his singles have reached Top Ten: a cover version of Conway Twitty's "Goodbye Time", "Nobody but Me", and "I'll Just Hold On".

He also covered "Footloose" for the movie remake in 2011.

Early life[link]

Shelton was born in Ada, Oklahoma, to Dick, a used car dealer, and Dorothy, a beauty salon owner. He began singing at an early age and by age 12, he learned to play guitar. By age sixteen, Shelton had received a Denbo Diamond Award in his home state.^[1] On November 13, 1990, his older brother Richie, who was 24 at the time, died in a car accident. He has an older sister, Endy. At age 17, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in pursuit of a singing career.

Musical career[link]

Shelton performing at the Crawford City Fair in August 2005

[edit] 1998–2002: Blake Shelton

After several years in Nashville, he signed to Giant Records in 1998. In 2001, he was slated to release a song entitled "I Wanna Talk About Me" as a single. Staff at the label considered the song unsuitable for a lead-off single, however, and the song was eventually recorded by Toby Keith, whose version was a Number One hit.^[2]

Instead, Giant released "Austin" as Shelton's debut single. Shortly after its release, however, Giant Records was dissolved, and Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records, the parent company. "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. His self-titled debut album also produced the No.18 "All Over Me" (which Shelton co-wrote with fellow country artist Earl Thomas Conley) and the No.14 "Ol' Red", which was a cover version of a George Jones song. Although Shelton's rendition of "Ol' Red" was not a major radio hit, he considers it his signature song, and it has become popular in concert.^[3] Blake Shelton is certified gold by the RIAA.^[1]

[edit] 2002–2003: The Dreamer

Shelton's second album, The Dreamer, was first released on February 4, 2003 on Warner Bros. Records. Its lead-off single, "The Baby", reached Number One on the country charts, holding that position for three weeks. Although the second and third singles ("Heavy Liftin'" and "Playboys of the Southwestern World", respectively) only reached No.32 and #24, The Dreamer earned gold certification as well. He, along with Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry, sang guest vocals on Tracy Byrd's mid-2003 single "The Truth About Men".

[edit] 2004–2006: Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill

Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was the title of Shelton's third studio album, released in 2004.^[1] Its lead-off single, the Harley Allen co-write "When Somebody Knows You That Well", peaked at No.37 on the country charts, while the follow-up "Some Beach" became his third No.1 hit, holding that position for four weeks. It was followed by a cover of Conway Twitty's 1988 single "Goodbye Time".^[4] Both this cover and its followup, "Nobody but Me", reached Top Ten for Shelton as well. As with his first two albums, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was certified gold. Accompanying the album's release was a video collection entitled Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill: A Video Collection.^[1]

On December 18, 2005, several of Shelton's songs, including "Nobody but Me", appeared on the TV movie The Christmas Blessing, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, Angus T. Jones, and Rob Lowe. Shelton had a small role at the end of the movie, playing himself at a benefit concert, singing "Nobody but Me".

[edit] 2006–2008: Pure BS

Shelton issued his fourth studio album, Pure BS, in early 2007.^[1] Unlike with his first three albums, which were produced entirely by Bobby Braddock, Shelton worked with Braddock, Brent Rowan, and Paul Worley as producers for this album. Its first two singles—"Don't Make Me" and "The More I Drink"—were both Top 20 hits on the country charts, respectively reaching No.12 and #19. Also in late 2007, Shelton made appearances on television shows: first as a judge on the talent competition Nashville Star, and later on Clash of the Choirs.

Pure BS was re-released in 2008 with three bonus tracks, including a cover of Michael Bublé's hit single "Home". This cover, released in early 2008 as the album's third single, became his fourth No.1 hit in July.^[5]

[edit] 2008–2009: Startin' Fires

"Home" was followed in August 2008 by the single "She Wouldn't Be Gone", his 14th chart entry and his fifth No. 1 hit. It was the first time in his career that he had two consecutive Number Ones. "She Wouldn't Be Gone" is the lead-off to Shelton's fifth studio album, Startin' Fires, which has also produced the single "I'll Just Hold On." This album also includes "Bare Skin Rug," a duet with Lambert.^[6] It was produced by Scott Hendricks, except for one track which was produced by Brent Rowan, and another ("I Don't Care", which carried over from Pure BS) was produced by Braddock.^[7]

[edit] 2009–2011: Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight

After "I'll Just Hold On" fell off the chart in October 2009, Blake Shelton released a duet with Trace Adkins titled "Hillbilly Bone." It was the lead-off single on Shelton's EP, Hillbilly Bone, released on March 2, 2010 through Reprise Records Nashville. After "Hillbilly Bone" reached No.1 in February, came the August release of "All About Tonight", the lead-off single to his EP of the same name. In September, he released the second single from All About Tonight, "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking", his 18th single release. He released his first greatest hits album, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton in November 2010.

Shelton was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry during the September 28, 2010 "Country Comes Home" concert celebrating reopening of the Grand Ole Opry House after the Cumberland River flooded the Opry House in May 2010. The formal invitation was extended on his Twitter account and was announced by Opry star Trace Adkins.^[8] He was formally inducted by Adkins at the Saturday, October 23, 2010 Opry performance.

Shelton recorded the title track for the "Footloose" remake film released on October 14th, 2011.

Blake Shelton appeared on the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010 where he performed "All About Tonight" and won Male Vocalist of the Year.^[9]

Shelton will serve as a judge/coach to singers on the 2011 NBC reality television series The Voice.^[10]

[edit] 2011–present: Red River Blue

Blake Shelton released the album Red River Blue on July 12, 2011, led by the single, "Honey Bee". The song received 138,000 downloads in its first week and was certified gold in its seventh week, setting a new record for the fastest gold certification by a male country singer.^[11] On June 13, 2011, in its tenth chart week, "Honey Bee" went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming his ninth #1 and his fastest-climbing. The album was expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with around 110,000 copies sold.^[12] "God Gave Me You", a cover of a Dave Barnes song, was the album's second single; it also reached #1. "Drink On It", the fifth song on the album, hit #1 in April 2012, giving him his 11th #1 song. On April 30, 2012, Blake performed "Over" on the Semi-finals of the second season of The Voice. "Over" later debuted at #53 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs on 19 May, 2012.^[13]

Blake Shelton is a coach on the NBC show The Voice. His finalist Dia Frampton came in second. He returned for a second season of the show with Jermaine Paul as the champion ^[14]. Frampton also recorded a track with Shelton titled "I Will" on her album Red, released December 6, 2011.

Blake Shelton took the stage with Miranda Lambert at Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012 to open the event by singing a duet version of “America the Beautiful”. It marked their first TV performance since their headlining nuptials in May 2011.

Television[link]

[edit] 2011–present: The Voice

In 2011, Shelton became a coach on NBC's new show, The Voice, along with Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.

In season 1, Shelton became the runner-up coach as his final team member, Dia Frampton, won second place of the season.

In season 2, Shelton became the winning coach as his final team member, Jermaine Paul, was declared winner of the season.

Season 3 of The Voice will air in the fall of 2012. All four judges have signed on to return. ^[15]