The Great Allentown Fair Wasted Space

The fair is in town!! Well not yet. Tho I rarely go unless their is a concert I like, I do appreciate the work its goes into holding the fair. 

My issue isnt with the fair but the lack of this Gem of space Allentown never uses. It is used 6 days a year!!!  46 acreas of unused space.  Why???

Musicfest in Bethlehem has a 10 day festival bringing in over a million people.  Does the fair even break 100k of visitors??  Celticfest, Oktoberfest, and Christkindlmarkt are huge events.

Easton has Baconfest, Garlicfest and a ton of other things going on.

Macungie has great car shows, and events at their park all summer long that draw thousands to their little town.

Even Pottstown has a car show every few weeks that they block their downtown.  The businesses appear to be packed and its alot of fun.

Back to the Fairgrounds

Why arent their concerts atleast 3 times a year, besides fair time? The venue holds like 15k people which is more than the PPL's 10-11k. There is ample parking on the grounds if needed as well.

Too me everyone around Allentown is making money off of the events it holds.  Sure there is like one small car show that draws mayb 200 cars and at best a couple thousand people. Brews,Blues and BBQ and some Latino events have a decent draw. However, many people from outside the city are just not going to come downtown when they dont feel safe.  The focus is always downtown and Im sorry thats not where your going to bring in people or money besides the PPL Center.

The Allentown fair has a committee that appears to refuse anyone access to using the grounds.   Sure AG hall is open, and draws people, but during the summer people want to be outside.  

Here's a simple idea Im sure will get denied, but say every tuesday, bring in as many food trucks and beer trucks as you can.  Its a start to get people in the city. Tho it may not generate alot of money to the city it will help local vendors.  

Bethlehem kills Allentown when it comes to fun activites and events. The city makes tons of money and so do their restaurants and businesses.  

But if you want a good flag raising, Allentown is the spot. I think they are up to something like 78 countries they raise a flag for.  Always atleast 15 people show up. Its a hoot.