BLOOMSBURG -- For the next week, a lot of attention will be on the Bloomsburg Fair. The state's largest fair is getting ready to welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over Pennsylvania.
Cheri Bissinger expects large crowds over the next week at her apple dumpling stand at the Bloomsburg Fair. Her employees spent the morning peeling peaches and doing other last-minute preparations.
"Getting set up, getting everyone in place, starting to put things back together. One year to the next you tend to forget the fine-tuning of things, so you get everything ready for Saturday," said Bissinger.
Before the Bloomsburg Fair officially begins. Preview day gives people a sneak peek at all the action.
"Just to see everything before everything is kind-of picked out, I guess. It's something to do and it's nice to have the fair close to home," said Kelly Bensinger.
Some people told Newswatch 16 they enjoy coming to the fair on preview day because it's a way to save money. Admission was free before 2 p.m., and after that it was only $3 to get in.
"It definitely helps out that you don't have to pay and don't have to pay to park," said Amber Lauvach.
"Because you don't have to pay to get in, we save some money that way. We came mainly to eat," said Dave Weller.
Randy Welch and his wife came from Muncy to judge one of the exhibits. They enjoyed being at the fair while it wasn't so crowded.
"It is nice walking around without being shoulder to shoulder people. I agree with that," said Welch.
But for many people, the highlight of the Bloomsburg Fair is the same year after year.
"The food for one thing. That's generally what we come for," said Dale Beaver.
The 158th annual Bloomsburg Fair costs $8 to get in. It runs through next Saturday.