Doylestown Supervisors To Consider Hosting Pennsylvania State Fair

On one hand is the lure of $50,000 in guaranteed revenue and a much-needed boost to the local economy.

On the other hand are traffic and parking concerns that come with the potential for an influx of thousands of out-of-town visitors.

That’s the dilemma facing Doylestown Township officials as they consider a lucrative offer to host the PA State Fair in September.

“It’s certainly worth having a conversation about,” said township manager Stephanie Mason. “There are concerns, so it has to be vetted and an informed decision made.”

Florida-based Reithoffer Shows, which organizes similar events along the East Coast between March and November, has approached the township at least twice in the past about holding the fair in Turk Park.

Between 1987 and 2006, it was held at Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, but was booted out when the Parx Casino was built.

At the time, Reithoffer was offering a flat fee of $25,000 to host the fair.

“We had the same concerns then,” said Mason. “We just didn’t feel comfortable.”

But with the township seeking new sources of revenue, and Reithoffer offering a more enticing offer when it came calling this time, the township is looking at it more closely, said Mason.

The new offer includes a percentage of the gate fees from the 10-day show (September 8-18) with a guarantee of at least $50,000, Mason said. Reithoffer also would reimburse the township for expenses such as police and emergency medical services, restore the grounds to their original condition, and install a permanent water line into the park.

Mason said the township will assemble a committee of township officials to create a laundry list of concerns for Reithoffer to address.

“If they can allay our fears, we might go one way,” said Mason. “If they don’t, we could go another way.”

Mason said the company has asked for a decision by mid-June.

The Reithoffer Shows website says the family has been in business since 1896. It provides the rides, concessions and other attractions for the fair. Company officials could not be reached Wednesday.

The company will put on the Bucks County Fair in Middletown May 19-30, and the Lower Providence Fair June 9-18.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, when the fair was discussed, Supervisor Cynthia Philo said she wanted assurances that Reithoffer would comply with all requirements for the treatment of animals and handling of food. She pointed out the PA State Fair is unlike the state Farm Show, which has strict procedures in place.

“Basically, it’s a carnival,” she said.

Citing traffic concerns around Turk Park, Supervisor Barbara Eisenhart said other locations in the township should be considered.

Supervisor Richard Colello said the township should give the proposal serious consideration because of the revenue it could generate.

Mason suggested residents with an opinion about whether the township should host the fair send an email to info@doylestownpa.org