sooperdooperFair ’80

sooperdooperFair was an event held for one year, from June 17-22, 1980, at Hersheypark. This event was created as a replacement for Pennsylvania Dutch Days, which was discontinued following the 1979 event.

Tickets were priced at $1.50 for adults, $0.75 for kids ages 5-9, and free for ages 4 and under.

Performers were scheduled in Hersheypark Arena (the final show was at Hersheypark Stadium), and tickets for the shows were extra. You can see the list of performers in the advertisement. Count Basie and His Orchestra were scheduled to appear, however due to illness, Count Basie did not appear. A substitute filled in for him while he was home resting.

A surprise guest star was scheduled for June 20, and to find out details in advance about it you had to call the box office. The surprise guest star turned out to be John Denver, who was touring in support of his album Autograph which had been released in February 1980.

Other events scheduled included an auto thrill show, a circus, a lumberjack show, an arts and crafts show, magic shows, fireworks and more.