For many visitors, a trip to the Big Butler Fair means midway meals, games of chance, and a ride or two. But some of the fair’s best moments happen beyond the flashing lights.

Rylee Colteryahn is both an employee of the Big Butler Fair and this year’s Fair Queen. “I’ve grown up at the Fair, and I’ve been coming here all my life,” says the 18-year-old.

Colteryahn says the best way to enjoy the event is to go beyond the midway and check out some of the agricultural and livestock exhibitions that have made the fair an institution for nearly two centuries. With a little help from the Fair Queen, here’s your cheat sheet to six stops you shouldn’t miss.

Your Big Butler Fair Bucket List

Take In a Livestock Show — And Stick Around for the Costume Contest

Check out the official schedule for the day of your visit and find the livestock and animal judging events. It’s a chance to see some remarkable animals, often unlike the standard barnyard characters you’d imagine.

“My personal favorite is the sheep shows,” Colteryahn says. “I’ve been showing sheep here all my life.” Many animal events, she adds, conclude with a costume contest—where else are you going to see rabbits or sheep in patriotic attire?

Dive Into the (Distant) Past

Near the fair’s grandstand, there’s a small building showcasing the fair’s history—and it’s a piece of history itself, says Colteryahn. “The building that the museum is in was one of the original buildings from when the fair was first started,” she says, noting that it was carefully moved to the current fairgrounds—and refreshed for the 170th anniversary. Look at fair life over the years to see how many traditions have survived through the decades.

BYO Chair for an Evening of Music

Country singer-songwriter Larry Fleet ill headline this year’s concluding concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. Concerts are held in front of the fair’s grandstand, and most visitors opt for bleacher seating, which is a fine way to watch the show. But you can get closer to the action: Bring a camp chair from your car—yes, you’re allowed to bring your own—and you can sit much closer to the stage. Grab some of that indulgent fair food beforehand and you’ve got the makings of a perfect summer picnic with live music.

Don’t Forget the Crafts

Colteryahn also recommends a visit to the Arts & Crafts building, where you’ll be able to inspect the handiwork of local artisans and makers, many working in disciplines that have been handed down through the generations.

“There are so many people who bring exhibits that they’ve worked all year on,” she says, particularly citing quilts and aprons—but also pastries, baked goods, and other edible creations.

Feed the Animals at the Bar C Ranch Petting Zoo

Sure, you’ve been to a petting zoo—but if you’ve never fed a carrot to a camel, does it even count? When you’re strolling the midway, look for the tent operated by the Bar C Ranch Petting Zoo. For a small fee—often charged per nibble—you can offer a snack to a friendly creature, including plenty of animals you might not expect in your average barnyard.

Celebrate America’s 250th at the Fair

The Big Butler Fair is taking America’s 250th birthday seriously. “Everything is red, white and blue-themed,” Colteryahn says. “The fireworks are going to be the biggest they’ve ever been.”

Even after the Fourth has passed, you’re still experiencing a tradition that has celebrated Independence Day for most of America’s history.

Other Summer Fairs Around Western Pennsylvania

Looking for another excuse to eat something deep-fried and admire a few blue ribbons? Western Pennsylvania’s fair season rolls on with these hometown favorites:

• Fayette County Fair, July 30-August 8
• Greene County Fair, August 9-15
• Washington County Agricultural Fair, August 15-22
• Lawrence County Fair, August 17-22
• Indiana County Fair, August 28-September 5

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Big Butler Fair

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