PITTSTON TWP. — The Northeast Fair has been a place for families to get their summer fill of food, fun, rides and games.
That won’t be the case this year as the annual attraction has been cancelled for the 2018 season, in what would have been its 52nd year.
The event was hosted by the Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department, but its president Charles Salvo said the event wasn’t bringing in as much profit as in prior years.
“We want to review the situation to see if it can come back,” he said. “The Department of Agriculture approved a one-year period for us to not have it, and we can restart it if we wish.”
Salvo said another factor of the fair not returning is the lack of volunteers as the fire department lost a significant number over the last year and a half due to the death of elderly volunteers.
He expressed disappointment about the fair’s cancellation, saying it’s part of the fire department’s history.
Salvo is also aware of the disappointment of the Greater Pittston residents.
“A lot of people are disappointed,” he said. “It’s a great event to have because the closest amusement park is Knoebel’s, so we brought in a good show with rides.”
Salvo said there is a possibility of the fire department holding a public picnic at its fire headquarters on Bryden Street, but that event is only in discussion right now.
As for the fate of the Northeast Fair, he said it may return in some form.
“It’s a possibility,” Salvo said of the fair returning. “Maybe in a different form or structure. It’s in a planning stage.”
