McClure
Bean Soup Fair
A Week of Community, Tradition, and Family Fun in McClure, PA
September 13–19, 2026
mcclure bean soup fair
mcclure bean soup fair
mcclure bean soup fair
mcclure bean soup fair
A Tradition Worth Celebrating
For more than a century, the McClure Bean Soup Fair has brought generations of families together for a week of tradition, entertainment, and community. Live music, exciting contests, Sunshine Shows rides, great fair food, and the hometown atmosphere has made it one of Central Pennsylvania’s favorite annual events. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or carrying on a family tradition, the memories you make here will bring you back year after year.
THE fair week at a glance
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| SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM Vesper Service with Wander No More | 6:00-9:00 PM $5 Wristbands | 5:00 PM Parade registration at the McClure Fire Hall | Half-price bowl of bean soup for all persons 62 and older | Buy One, Get One Free Wristbands | All students receive a half-price bowl of bean soup | 12:00 PM Chili Contest at the Fair Pavilion |
| 2:00 PM McClure Bean Soup Fair Pageant | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand | 6:00 PM Parade begins | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand | Veteran's receive a free bowl of soup | 5:00 PM Registration begins for Cornhole Tournament | 2:30 & 4:00 PM Ole 97, Johnny Cash & June Carter Tribute Band |
| 2:30 PM Bean Soup “Big Bucks” Bingo | 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM Chris Woodward & Shindiggin | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand | 7:00 PM Milk Chugging Contest for all ages at the Fair Pavilion | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand | 6:00 PM Cornhole Tournament begins | 4:00 PM Farmyard Games at the Fair Pavilion |
| 8:00 PM Parade winners announced at the Main Stage | 7 PM & 8:30 PM The Mahoney Brothers | 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM Josh Squared Band | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand | 6:00 PM Bingo at the Bingo Stand |
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| 8:00 PM Food & Fun Auction at the Fair Pavilion | 7:00 PM Above the Radar | 6:00 PM Homemade Ice Cream Contest |
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| 8:00 PM Jackpot Bingo at the Bingo Stand | 7:00 PM Judging the Ice Cream Contest |
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| 8:30 PM The Badlees | 8:00 PM Jackpot Bingo at the Bingo Stand |
Don’t Miss a Minute of the Fun!
Sunshine Shows Midway– Thrilling rides and classic midway games bring excitement for kids, families, and anyone young at heart.
Live Entertainment– Enjoy live music throughout the week from talented local and regional performers, with something different each day.
Contests & Exhibits– From pageants and games to exhibit hall entries and contests, there’s plenty of friendly competition for all ages.
Famous Bean Soup– Don’t leave without trying the bean soup that inspired a tradition spanning well over a century.
Fair Food– Grab all your mouth-watering fair favorites!
Parade– Celebrate a community tradition with the annual parade on Tuesday.
Don’t Miss a Minute of the Fun!
The story of the McClure Bean Soup Fair began long before carnival rides and main stage entertainment. In 1883, local Union Civil War veterans organized the Captain Michael Smith Post No. 355 of the Grand Army of the Republic as a way to preserve the friendships and memories forged during the war. Over the following years, they gathered for reunions featuring hearty kettles of bean soup prepared the same way they remembered from army camp.
In 1891, the veterans opened their annual Bean Soup Celebration to the public, inviting the entire community to share in the meal and the fellowship. The famous recipe– made with beans, beef, and simple ingredients, cooked over wood fires in large cast-iron kettles and stirred with wooden paddles– has remained at the heart of the celebration ever since. As the years passed, the gathering grew into one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and most beloved community fairs while continuing to honor the traditions that inspired it.
Be a Part of the Fair
Whether you sell handmade crafts, specialty foods, farm products, or unique merchandise, we’d love to have you join this year’s fair. Apply today to reserve your vendor space before it’s gone.
DAILY SPONSORS
Our Location
7 E Ohio St.
McClure, PA 17841
Plan Your Visit
The McClure Bean Soup Fair takes place at the McClure Fairgrounds in the heart of Snyder County, PA.
Just off US Route 522, it’s an easy drive from surrounding communities, with convenient parking available right at the fairgrounds.