The June Feet Fair is one of the oldest continuous running fairs in Montgomery County, and it draws more than 25,000 people throughout the weekend every year. The 2018, June Fete runs from Friday, June 8, to Sunday, June 10 at The June Fete Farm fairgrounds are located at 2990 Edge Hill Road, less than three miles from Abington Hospital at the corner of Edge Hill and Huntingdon Roads in Huntingdon Valley.
The June Fete is organized by the Abington Health Foundation (AHF) Women’s Board, a non-profit organization of volunteers in that supports Abington Hospital band raises funds to benefit Abington – Jefferson Health. All our proceeds from the June Fete benefit services and programs to meet community and patient needs at Abington and Lansdale Hospitals by supporting medical education, community programs, building expansions, equipment purchases, and assisting patients with special needs.
Event Details
HOURS
June 8, 2018 · 4–11pm
June 9, 2018 · 11am –10pm
June 10, 2018 · Noon–6pm
The June Fete Horse and Pony Show
The June Fete Fairgrounds
June 9, 2018 from 8am – dusk
ADMISSION & RIDE PRICES
- General admission: $5.00
- Admission is free for children 6 and under
Rides for all ages!
- Credit cards can be used for amusement ride ticket purchases
- Individual tickets available for $1.00 each or 28 tickets for $20.00
- Daily Ride Special
- Saturday Pass: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm for $20.00 per person
- Sunday Pass: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm for $20.00 per person
- Mega-Pass: Unlimited rides during all operating hours throughout the weekend for $40.00 per person
- ATM machines will be available on the fairgrounds.
Parking
Free parking is available during all hours of operation for fair-goers.
Child Pick Up
For the safety of children and all fairgoers please use the J Gate entrance off of Cathedral Road for picking up children and exit through G gate onto Huntingdon Road.
Security
Security staff is posted at all times during the weekend of the fair for safety. Please note that in order to provide for that safety backpacks, coolers, and outside food and beverages are not permitted on the fairgrounds. Baby bags with essentials will be permitted. All bags are subject to search at the gates.
The June Fete is a Non-Smoking Event. No Pets will be permitted on the fairgrounds.
June Fete History……..
The Women’s Board began with a community vision, the need for a local hospital in Abington when a campaign was initiated in 1912, to raise funds, women in the surrounding communities came together to answer the call. Three key founding members were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Mrs. Charles Kruger, first president of the Women’s Board, Natalie Fox Elkins, wife of Abingt and Louise Elkins Sinkler, daughter of AMH founder George Elkins Sr. Through their efforts of fundraising efforts and securing community donations, Abington Memorial Hospital opened in May 1914.
The June Fete Fair evolved from a street fair, lawn fetes, and holiday bazaars held to raise funds for the hospital opening. In 1913, the Women’s Auxiliary voted to use their past successes as a basis for creating a major annual fundraising event. The Elkins family generously offered their estate as a location for a June event.
The Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1922, with the addition of a Pony Show and a year later a Horse Show was added as a permanent fixture of the fair.
During the 1930’s, the location of the fair moved among many grand local estates including “Lindenhurst”, the John Wanamaker Estate, “Ashbourne Hall”, the William Elkins Estate, and “Crosswicks”, the Clement Newbold Estate. The annual June Fete became so well known that PATHE NEWS AGENCY started filming the event each year. The event “runners” were distributed to movie theaters around the country.
By the 1940’s, the Depression and the advent of World War II took their toll on volunteer support for the fair. Using great ingenuity, the women including Louise Elkins Sinkler and Mrs. Wunderle held “Imaginary Fairs” in 1943 and 1944, during which donations were sought without the need for attendance. An astounding $38,000 was realized as the community rallied around this cause.
With the formation of auxiliary units in 1950, a host of community volunteers were added, and with their support came fresh ideas and much enthusiasm. An annual catalog was published and sold highlighting both the hospital and the Women’s Board and its Auxiliaries.
For the next decade, the auxiliaries hosted “A Day in Willow Grove Park” for the surrounding schools, featuring guest appearances by the likes of Dick Clark, Bert Parks, Sally Starr and Captain Noah.
In 1955, an impressive parcel of land was generously donated by the Pitcairn family to serve as a permanent location for the June Fete Fair and Horse & Pony Show. Dubbed “The June Fete Farm,” it has been the home of the fair since that time.
Community involvement and support for the fair hit an all time high in the early sixties and The Golden Anniversary of the June Fete Fair was celebrated in 1964.
The AHF Women’s Board continues to build on the strong vision of the founders, and is dedicated to continuing volunteer service and fundraising for Abington – Jefferson Health.
To inquire about how you, your business or your family can support these AHF Women’s Board sponsored events, contact us at 215-481-2500 or ahf-womensboard@jefferson.edu. All funds raised benefit Abington Hospital – Jefferson Health.
Photo and information from Abington Jefferson Health. junefete.abingtonhealth.org