Northeast Fair in Pittston Township returns June 20 and runs through June 25

PITTSTON TWP. — Familiar sights, sounds and smells will soon fill the air as the Northeast Fair prepares to make its return this week.

The annual event, entering its 51st year, will be held from Tuesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 25. Opening times are 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Joe Pupa, assistant chairperson for the fair, said the first few nights are typically quiet but the event gains steam once the weekend approaches.

“Opening night is always kind of quiet because it’s a week night, but Tuesday and Wednesday are the days that you don’t have to wait for rides,” he said. “Friday and Saturday are our biggest nights because people are off work and, of course, it’s always weather dependent.”

Pupa said patrons can expect some of the same food vendors and rides as before, but will also see new forms of entertainment with the High Flying Pages circus acts and performances by lives wolves with Wolves of the World.

There will also be a balloon stunt show, a petting zoo, a hypnotist and Buffo — the World’s Strongest Clown.

“We cut down on the large music and the large bands and added a lot of additional ground shows that are there the whole week,” Pupa said. “It was always part of the plan and now was the time to do it. The crowds have become more and more families, which we knew would always happen, but we didn’t want to change things overnight.”

Pupa also noted the ever-popular motor shows will still be performed.

“The motor sports remain unchanged,” he said. “They’re the single biggest draw of the fair.”

The fair grounds are located off Suscon Road, near Route 315, one mile from Interstate 81 and Interstate 476.

Pupa said there is also a way to get to the fair from the Scranton/Wilkes0Barre International Airport.

“The newest and easiest way is to turn right before the entrance to the airport on Navy Way Road that connects the airport to the Industrial Park,” he said. “We’ll have signs there.”

Tickets for the fair are $10 per person at the gate and proceeds go towards the Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Pittston Township Ambulance Association and other non-profit organizations.

While there is much to do at the Northeast Fair, Pupa said it’s all about the family atmosphere.

“It’s all good, wholesome fun and I think that’s the best way to describe the fair,” he said. “It’s all about the family.”

Skylar Worosilla, of Pittston, gets picked out of the crowd to do a trick with help from Dexter Tripp of Circus Stella during the Northeast Fair last year.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_PSD062616NortheastFair1.jpgSkylar Worosilla, of Pittston, gets picked out of the crowd to do a trick with help from Dexter Tripp of Circus Stella during the Northeast Fair last year. Sean McKeag file photos

Jackson Smith, of Pittston Twp., has a great time riding on the carousel at the Northeast Fair last year.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_PSD062616NortheastFair2.jpgJackson Smith, of Pittston Twp., has a great time riding on the carousel at the Northeast Fair last year. Sean McKeag file photos

People crowd into the Northeast Fair on its first day in Pittston Township last year.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_PSD062616NortheastFair5.jpgPeople crowd into the Northeast Fair on its first day in Pittston Township last year. Sean McKeag file photos