09/17/2026
As I look back on my first year as president of the Luzerne County Fair, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. These past nine months have shown me how much heart, sacrifice, and love goes into making this fair happen. I wish I could personally thank every person who helped along the way.
There were bumps in the road, difficult decisions, and days when the responsibility felt heavy. But there were also people who stepped forward, offered guidance, rolled up their sleeves, and helped us keep going. Through all the ups and downs, we achieved our goal together. I could not be more proud of everyone who helped make this year’s fair what it was.
A very special thank you goes out to all of our sponsors for the 2026 Luzerne County Fair. Without you, none of this, and I truly mean none of this, would have been possible. Your generosity helped turn nine months of planning and hard work into five days of memories for our community. Thank you for believing in our fair, supporting this tradition, and helping us bring people together.
To our clubs, volunteers, board members, friends, and families: thank you for giving so much of yourselves. Thank you for the evenings, weekends, patience, and work that so often goes without recognition. Behind every memory made at the fair was someone who gave their time to make it possible. This year, I witnessed that dedication firsthand, and it will stay with me.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in our opening ceremony. Your presence, kind words, thoughts, and laughter meant more than I can explain. Having friends, family, and members of our fair community from years past and present come together meant so much to all of us.
One of the most meaningful parts of this year’s fair was gathering to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, and to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
From writing the script to watching the ceremony unfold, the September 11 remembrance touched me deeply. Hearing people share where they were that day and the memories they still carry reminded me how personal those moments remain. We paused together to honor the lives lost, the people who answered the call to help, and the families whose lives were forever changed.
To the Boy Scouts who presented the color guard, thank you for bringing such care, dignity, and respect to that moment. To the members of our local fair family who provided the airplane flyover and the beautiful ring of smoke above our fairgrounds, thank you. You gave me a moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
As I watched that circle form in the sky, my mind went to the famous circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville. For someone like me, who holds country music and its traditions close to heart, that circle carries a deep meaning. I think of the people who have stood there, the respect for those who came before them, and the responsibility to carry a tradition forward. To me, it represents a circle that is never meant to be broken.
Standing at our fairgrounds that day, I felt that same meaning belonged right here, too.
I thought about the people who built this fair, those who are no longer with us, those who return year after year, and the young people who will carry it into the future. As we remembered September 11 and celebrated 250 years of our country, that ring above us became, for me, a symbol of remembrance, love, and unity. It reminded me how much we have been entrusted with and how much we can preserve when we stand together.
To everyone who helped bring that ceremony to life, and to every fairgoer who stopped to listen, watch, and remember with us: thank you. I hope you felt even a little of what I felt in that moment.
To Jimmy Houghton and his crew, thank you for the rides, entertainment, and excitement. To Shane and his wife, thank you for the extra entertainment and everything you brought to Kiddie Land. To Teri and his family, thank you for the petting zoo and pig racing. To Aim High, thank you for the wonderful dog performances and entertainment that brought so many smiles.
A special thank you to Mike for letting me take part in the tractor racing events! Being able to entertain myself, and hopefully everyone watching, gave me a chance to laugh, have fun, and enjoy the fair alongside you.
To our Junior Fairboard, thank you for your energy, hard work, and willingness to help. Presenting the Junior Fairboard Member of the Year award was a proud moment for me. Seeing the next generation give their hearts to this fair makes me hopeful for everything ahead.
We were also blessed with some of the best weather we have ever had for all five days of the fair. After months of preparation, watching families enjoy what everyone worked so hard to create was a gift.
To everyone who came through our gates, supported our clubs, enjoyed the entertainment, and made memories with us, thank you.
The list of people to recognize could go on and on. Whether you led a project, offered advice, picked up a broom, or quietly took care of something that needed doing, you made a difference. My gratitude extends far beyond the names mentioned here.
I had the honor of being president, but all of you helped make this fair possible. Thank you for trusting me, teaching me, and standing beside me during my first year.
When I remember 2026, I will remember the people, the kindness, and that circle in the sky. Most of all, I will remember how proud I felt to be part of this fair family. May we continue to care for one another, honor those who came before us, and keep our circle strong for the generations still to come.
Thank you,
Edward Gray,
2026 Luzerne County Fair President.
