Farewell to the Fair!

The last in my series on the Bloomsburg Fair. This is a look at the colors of the fair, and the gigantic produce that was grown and displayed.

Can't wait until the 158th Bloomsburg Fair!

The Fair that Wasn't...2011

 A photograph on the wall documents the floodwaters around the building these pictures were taken in.

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A fairgoer looks at the photographs while highwater markers are visible on the wall.

Another pair of signs depicts the difference in depth between Agnes and Lee.

A fountain stands as a tribute to the flood victims, and is filled with coins and wet paper money. The flood of Bloomsburg did not gain the attention of Katrina, but the devastation was just as mighty.

The flood of 2011 was caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee in early September. The rain, which lasted for several days, caused the worst flooding in the history of Bloomsburg, located in Columbia County in Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek exceeded their banks, and left the fairgrounds inundated under 10 feet of water. The previous measuring stick for flooding disaster had been held by Agnes, a June hurricane that flooded miles upon miles of the Susquehanna River from New York state through Maryland. High waters came again in June of 2006, but none left behind the devastation of Lee. The rains hit only weeks before the fair was to open it's annual event in September. For the first time in it's history, the 157th annual Bloomsburg Fair was cancelled. In 2012, the 157th fair was held, with shiny clean buildings, and most of the vendors back in their familiar locations. Many of the homes around the fairgrounds remain empty, condemned after they were knocked off their foundations by the flood waters. The opening of the fair this year was a testament to the hard work of the many fair volunteers and community members of the town of Bloomsburg, which boasts the title of the only "town" in Pennsylvania.

Some pictures of the flood ravaged town can be seen here:

CNN report

Cleveland.com

Yahoo picture gallery

Inside the Agricultural Building

The Agricultural Building was a sea of color with all of the fall flowers and vegetables. It is one of my favorite buildings at the Bloomsburg Fair!