What is a Grange?

The Grange is a grassroots, non-partisan, non-sectarian, fraternal organization with its roots in agriculture. Although the Grange was originally an organization of farmers, it has evolved to include people from all walks of life who have a common goal to make our world a better place to live. The Grange has been preserving the traditions that have made America a strong and caring country. Our Grange is active in promoting programs for rural communities on the local, state, and national level. Our fairgrounds is used to host and support many community events including Horse Shows, various 4-H events, Dog Shows, Car Shows, Ham Radio events, Township events, The Village Library Renaissance Faire and various others throughout each year.

Our largest, and most labor intensive, also most fun filled, event is our Grange Fair held in August of each year. Join our community as we come together to enjoy fun, good food, entertainment, and appreciate the talents of our neighbors as they enter over 4200 items ranging from cows to quilts.

Middletown Grange Fair History

The Middletown Grange Fair began in 1948 as a project by Middletown Grange to participate in a National contest sponsored by the Farm Jornal Magazine to attempt to raise 300 bushels of corn to an acre. Grange members planted the corn on Heston Manor Farm near Yardley. The Grange decided to invite the public to attend and asked farm equipment dealers to participate in the harvest. In October, under the supervision of the Bucks County Agricultural Agent, the crop was hand harvested with a yield of 105 bushels per acre. There were exhibits of farm machinery, supplies, automotive and household goods.

In 1949, Three experimental crops were raised, one acre each of corn, potatoes and tomatoes. A two-day Fair was held to harvest the crops. New events included the Grange members' produce competition and a cattle show. By 1950, five one-half acre strips were planted to corn, and one acre was planted with two varieties of potatoes. Sixty exhibitors participated in the Fair with attendance in excess of 5,000 people.

By the early 1950's, the Fair featured cattle shows, tractor driving, fashion shows, machinery parades, square dancing, high school bands, television personalities and 4-H activities. The famous Chicken Barbeque Dinners were introduced in 1954 when the Fair extended to a three- day event, including evenings. The Middletown Grange Fair Horse Show was added in 1965 and continues annually.

In 1966 the Middletown Grange purchased a tract of land in Wrightstown which was the site for Fairs from this year forward. The summer of 1967 was a very busy season. A kitchen-dining hall was erected. This hall was previously a barn that was disassembled, stored, and reassembled by Grange members and friends. Even the asphalt roof shingles were reused.

Two permanent buildings were built in 1976 to house the multiple Grange Fair exhibits of flowers, vegetables, hay and grain, needlework, and arts and crafts, plus the many displays of 4-H members. Additional buildings have been added to house livestock, plus horse show arenas. From a Grange family's contribution, a Judging Arena was built in 1991, complete with accessories for comfort and convenience. Major electrical and water system improvements were accomplished in 1992. The Middletown Grange Fair was awarded the winner of Zone IV for overall excellence in production of a quality Fair by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs in January 1993.

In 1997, the Middletown Grange Fair was extended to a five-day event and has remained a five-day fair.

We thank the community for their continued support, both in attendance and their participation in our many exhibits and activities. Your support allows the Grange to continue its community service of making generous donations to the community.

We thank all our Grange members, families, and friends who volunteer their time and talents to make the Fair a huge success. The smiles and exuberance displayed on the faces of our exhibitors and guests make the year round preparation and hard work well worth the effort.

A special thank you to the 4-H Clubs and their leaders for their continued support and participation, to our local fire companies, Lingohocken and Newtown, for all their support with parking, and the Newtown Ambulance Squad for their continued support of the first aid station.