BLOOMSBURG -- Volunteers who helped clean up the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds will be honored this year when the fair opens to the public in just over two weeks.
Hundreds came together last year when the fairgrounds filled with water from the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek.
This year's Bloomsburg Fair will be dedicated to all of those volunteers who helped clean up the fairgrounds. It has been almost one year since Tropical Storm Lee flooded the fairgrounds and forced fair officials to cancel the event, but they say this year will be bigger and better than ever.
There was no rain in sight at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds as crews spent the day getting ready for the fair, cleaning the dog show building.
It’s a far cry from last year at this time, when Tropical Storm Lee flooded the fairgrounds forcing officials to cancel the Bloomsburg Fair for the first time in history, but officials said this year's Bloomsburg Fair will be better than ever.
“A lot of the buildings still need some attention too, but we're 95% there and we'll be ready to go on opening day,” said Carey Howell of the Bloomsburg Fair.
The Bloomsburg Fair will bounce back with new rides, attractions, even some new food stands. Topping this list is this sky ride. It will shuttle fair-goers from the main gate to the carnival area.
“You can go one way or both ways on that and get a good overview of the whole fair,” said Howell.
There will also be some big names performing at the grandstand this year: Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, and Kelly Pickler. Sid Morgan of Bloomsburg was buying tickets to one of the shows.
“My wife is a big fan of the fair. She comes all the time, and we really enjoy it,” said Morgan.
Last year's flood caused major damage to many of the buildings so the horticulture, arts and crafts and agriculture buildings were all remodeled for this year. While crews are still doing the finishing touches, people said they are more than ready for the fair!
“That's monumental that we can get it together in one year. I'm very excited," said Pam Holmes of Bloomsburg.
“Oh it's always great to come here. It's kind-of a throwback to the good old days," said Tim Holmes of Bloomsburg.
Admission to the Bloomsburg Fair is eight dollars instead of five. Fair officials said they had to do that in order to make money because of cancelling the fair last year.
The Bloomsburg Fair starts on Friday September 21.