The Lehigh County Agricultural Society’s mission is rewarding the achievements of farmers, gardeners and homemakers annually at The Great Allentown Fair.

Agricultural Recognition Night honors these individuals, and this year took place on Aug. 28 on the fair’s Centennial Stage inside Agri~Plex and hosted by the Society’s Second Vice President John Cathers Jr.

Beyond recognizing this year’s award recipients, the evening also underscored the vital role that youth play in agriculture.

From 4-H and FFA members to young exhibitors showing livestock and crops, the next generation is essential to carrying forward traditions, embracing innovation, and ensuring a strong future for farming in Lehigh County and beyond.

The Great Allentown Fair Foundation presented a $1,500 scholarship to Kutztown University student Isabela Ulicne of Blandon.

The $2,000 Greenawald Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Penn State University student John Emanuel of Laurys Station.

Barbara Bigelow awarded the second half of the Leon Peters Memorial $2,500 scholarship to University of Delaware student Alaina Heffner of Temple.

The Great Allentown Fair Foundation presented three $500 scholarships to Delaware Valley University students, Skyler Horak of Emerald, Zoie Jones of Kutztown and Lyndsey Smith of Lenhartsville.

Each year the Lehigh County Farm Bureau presents an award for Outstanding Service to Lehigh County Agriculture.

A plaque was presented to Sonia Fink of Heidelberg Township.

Sonia exemplifies the very essence of dedication to agriculture and community; her tireless efforts and exemplary service make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

The Society awarded four $200 scholarships for students in the National FFA Organization and the 4-H programs.

These students were chosen by the department superintendents for leadership, outstanding participation in their respective programs, along with fair involvement.

The winners in 4-H were Krista Lynch of Schnecksville and John Emanuel of Laurys Station. Lyndsey Smith of Lenhartsville and Shade Pearsall of Allentown were awarded the FFA scholarships.

The Richard Miller Award is presented in memory of Miller, a long-standing director on the Society board and onetime secretary of the Society.

Two $250 scholarships are awarded to an FFA and 4-H member who have excelled in their programs and achieved high academic standards in school.

The two scholarship winners were Olivia Wisser of New Tripoli in 4-H and Phoebe Stutzman of Kutztown in FFA.

The Ben Lazarus Memorial Award is presented to a current or former 4-H member, 17-23 years old, who has exhibited at the fair.

The award winner for the 2025 Ben Lazarus Memorial Award was Olivia Wisser of New Tripoli.

The Mae Rutz Award is given each year in memory of Rutz who gave many years of her time to the fair.

Rutz was the first women director on the Society’s board.

Each year the award is given in a different department in the fair’s competitive exhibit area.

This year’s winner was Deena Kenney of Bethlehem for her crafts.

The Raymond L. Hoffman Youth Award is presented to an outstanding entry in the youth category.

The winner must be younger than 19 years old and have been awarded the “Best of Show” rosette chosen from all categories that include needlework, crafts, woodwork, baked products, flowers, arts and related items.

The $250 award was presented to Anna Hofmann of Bethlehem.

The son of June Stas gives two $250 awards annually to participants winning the supreme champion award in the baking division and to the supreme champion winner in canned, dried or spreads division.

The June M. Stas Supreme Baking Award was given to Linda Johnson of Laurys Station.

The June M. Stas Supreme Preserved Product Award was given to Lauryn Michael of Kempton.

The daughters of Amy A. Golden presented the Amy A. Golden Memorial Award.

This award was given to the outstanding youth exhibitor in the area of needlework, handcrafts and sewing.

The winner of the $100 award was Aubrey Delong of Allentown.

The newly crowned Allentown Fair Queen, Olivia Wisser from New Tripoli was presented half her scholarship from the Lehigh-Northampton Pomona Grange No. 68.

At the end of her yearlong reign as The Great Allentown Fair Queen, Wisser will receive the remaining balance of her scholarship for a total of $1,500.

Each year the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture presents the Friend of the Fair award to an individual or group who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to the success of the fair.

The 2025 award was presented to the longtime media personality, Kathy Craine.

For decades, Craine has been a cherished and enduring Friend of The Great Allentown Fair.

Her bond with the Fair runs deep—not only as an on-air presence covering our biggest moments but also as the key sales contact and trusted partner to the Fair’s marketing team.

Contributed article