Fair Stands Set Up on Route 11 - WNEP

By Stacy Lange WNEP

7:05 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2011

The Bloomsburg Fair would have started tomorrow, if flood damage to the grounds had not forced fair officials to cancel it for this year. But, if you take a drive into Bloomsburg, it still looks like there's a fair going on.

Take a drive down Route 11 outside Bloomsburg, you'll see the bright colors and signs and smell the foods you're used to at the fairgrounds.

"It's drive-thru fair this year. Instead of walking it you'll have to drive and stop. But, as long as you get to experience that fair food, that's good with me," said Renee Forte of Hazleton.

It started with just one stand, John the Greek's gyros. And now, Route 11 is lined with all the favorite fair foods.

"I thought 'when did they put that there?' We just got off of I-80 so we didn't even see any of the other ones yet. We're looking forward to going down the road and see what else is down there," said Adam Burghardt of Bucks County.

Take Route 11 toward Bloomsburg, you'll see more stands to sample. Camped out in empty lots everywhere.

Even more vendors are expected to open on Saturday, when the fair would have started. All the vendors needed was a peddler's permit from Scott Township, and help from business owners who let their patrons park in their parking lot.

"I just thought if we could help out the local area, as far as helping these vendors get rid of their overstock. We'll let them set up for free and we'll have a little bit of a fair," said Ray Merrill from Independent Chevy Cadillac in Scott Township.

This scaled down fair, vendors said, is almost as good as the real thing. They said this weekend lines will stretch down the highway.

"It's unbelievable, he's got more business now, like he does at the fair! The lines are, the wait time, an hour or better. The traffic is overwhelming," said Charles Fenstermacher of Bloomsburg.

Many of these vendors will be set up every day of this would-be fair week.

Copyright © 2011, WNEP-TV

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