[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR ON ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2004

  Mr. KANJORKSKI. Mr. Speaker, for one week each year, the town of 
Bloomsburg in my district in Pennsylvania welcomes nearly 500,000 
visitors to its annual fair. This year, the famous Bloomsburg Fair 
celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  Originally envisioned as an agricultural fair, founder Dr. John 
Taggert convinced a few of his neighbors to join him in finding 
exhibitors of fruits, vegetables, and other farm products. Dr. John 
Ramsey, B.F. Hartman, Caleb Barton, William Neal, and I.W. Hartman 
joined Dr. Taggert in establishing the fair, for which they charged a 
ten cent admission fee, most of which was used to pay for police 
service.
  Now expanded to an eight-day event spread out over more than 275 
acres, the Bloomsburg Fair still retains much of its original 
agricultural atmosphere. It now features livestock shows, horse racing, 
arts and crafts, countless varieties of food, carnival rides, antique 
shows and an array of other attractions for adults and children alike.
  Several years ago, I submitted the Bloomsburg Fair as an excellent 
example of America's rich cultural diversity for the Library of 
Congress's Local Legacies program. The Bloomsburg Fair is now 
permanently memorialized in the collection of the American Folklife 
Center.
  Under the leadership of President Fred Trump, the Bloomsburg Fair 
Committee works year-round to ensure a successful annual fair. This 
year was especially challenging in light of the flooding caused by the 
remnants of Tropical Storm Ivan, which left several feet of water on 
the fairgrounds just days before its opening. Through the hard work of 
the Committee and volunteers, the Fair opened as scheduled this past 
Saturday.
  Mr. Speaker, the Bloomsburg Fair represents the best of the American 
tradition of bringing people together to celebrate the gifts this 
Nation provides to all of us. I am proud to represent the town of 
Bloomsburg and the people who make the Bloomsburg Fair an annual 
tradition for families throughout the region.

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