HARMONY – There will be no gate fee to hold anyone back from attending this year’s Harmony Free Fair, nor has there ever been one in the fair’s 58 year history.

The state’s only free agricultural fair will be held Sept. 2-5.

“Somerset County is the poorest county in the state, and Harmony and the surrounding towns are among the poorest in the county,” Jeff Chadbourne, president of the Harmony Patriarchs Club, sponsor of the fair, said. “We feel it is important to be able to offer a fair without any gate fee for all in our area to enjoy. For many folks, this is the only fair they can attend simply because it is free.”

Last year, more than 8,000 people attended the four-day fair, according to Chadbourne.

Although there is no gate fee, the all-volunteer Harmony Patriarchs Club does charge a small registration fee for certain events. These fees help the nonprofit community betterment organization raise funds to improve the town.

The fair will offer fireworks at dark on Sept. 4, a karaoke event, a teen dance, demonstrations, midway rides, a pig scramble, a variety of contests, horse shows and pulling events.

On Saturday, the Somerset Bluegrass Band, Bob Elston and the Road Rangers, and the Honky Tonkers will perform. Entertainers on Sunday will include Charlie Haiss, the Doughty Hill Band and the Moose Creek Cloggers. On Monday, the Muellers, a family bluegrass band, will perform.

A parade through the community also will be begin at 9:30 a.m. on Labor Day.