Kutztown Fair Celebrates Tradition Of Fun, Heritage

The Kutztown Fair celebrated its 152nd anniversary with crafts, contests, rides, racing, animals, food and fun at the Kutztown Fairgrounds from Aug. 7-12.

The craft contests included everything from origami and cross stitch to wreaths and hand crafts.

New to the area, Elena Chertkoeva and her daughter Alina, 5, checked out their favorite craft entry, a pumpkin diorama created by Beverly Leibensperger of Kempton. The pumpkin took the Second Premium ribbon.

Houghton Enterprises, Inc offered rides for kids, families and thrill seekers plus food and game concessions.

Levi Bitler, 3, of Fleetwood was among the many children who enjoyed seeing the fair view from above as he took a spin on a child-sized Ferris wheel.

Action Track Racing at the grandstand thrilled spectators with banked dirt track competitions throughout the week.

Glenn and Tammy Kercher of Kutztown have been bringing their grandchildren to the fair for the last three years. One of the family’s favorite games includes a dime toss where players throw dimes hoping they land in a glass and win them that prize.

“They’ve been looking forward to the dime toss,” said Tammy Kercher of Kutztown after they all won glasses last year.”

Livestock exhibitors showed animals including goats, pigs, cows and sheep.

Jackson Manwiller brought his Angus steer Timmy to show at the fair. Timmy was born on March 13, 2022.

Tahlia Wagner, 11, of Kutztown is a member of the Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club and took home the Grand Champion prizewith her Dorset sheep Cheerio.

Country line dancers kicked up their heels, Two-Step, Shuffle Boot scooted the evenings away to songs including “International Harvester” by Craig Morgan, “Suds in the Bucket” by Sara Evans, “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw.

Wendy Landis and Dave Timpson of Wyomissing danced to Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels.”

The main stage included music from groups including the Nashville Music Company, Cramer Brothers Band, and Rehrig Brothers.

New this year was the Sensational Murcia family’s Victoria Circus & Thrill Show and BIG BEE The Transforming Robot Car.

“We have different shows and we travel around the country and outside the country,” said Walter Murcia. “It’s all family.”

Founded in 2003, the circus and thrill show is a family affair with Walter and Victoria Murcia, their children Elizabeth, 8; Victoria, 10; and Alex plus several cousins and other family members.

The Victoria Circus & Thrill Show included regular performances throughout the day with hundreds of spectators gathering for each exciting show.

“We do about five shows per day — one every hour,” said Walter Murcia of Victoria Circus & Thrill Show.

Alex Murcia (Walters son) captivated onlookers riding his motorcycle in a wire sphere known as the Globe of Death.

Roger Orozco, cousin of the Murcia family, mesmerized the audience with stunts 18 feet above the ground. He walked the tightrope blindfolded, pedaled a bike across the rope and even sat in a chair balanced on the wire.

Between shows, Walter’s daughter Victoria, 10, practiced hand stands.

“She’s practicing right now,” Said Walter Murcia. “She can walk on the wire. My other daughter too (8 year old Elizabeth).”

“During the pandemic, we stayed home for like 10 months,” explained Murcia. “Then, they practice every day. Now they walk on the wire.”

Spectators were also amazed by the Sensational Murcia family’s BIG BEE The Transforming Robot Car.

“Well, it’s not a car,” explained Walter Murcia. “It’s a transformer. It looks like a real car, but it’s not…but you can drive it. It has a motor in the back.”

The transformer needs a 30×30 foot space to transform from a Camaro to a 15-foot robot.

Food is always a big draw at the fair, which offers everything from carnival treats like funnel cake, ice cream, pizza and snow cones to local favorites like sausage sandwiches and pot pie.

The Kutztown Fair is a tradition that offers plenty of fun while preserving and promoting traditional farming methods and heritage.

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