Devon Horse Show & Country Fair Is Jammed Opening Day

EASTTOWN TWP, PA — Thousands of equestrian aficionados and people from all walks of life who just want to have fun poured in Thursday to the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

Behind the scenes, 2,000 volunteers were working all year to get ready for opening day of the oldest and largest multi-breed horse competition and county fair in the United States.

For Main Line friends, Brooke Lawrence and Molly Klinges of Wayne, the event is a labor of love.

Their role is to purchase the merchandise sold at the event, which has the famous blue-and-white circle logo with a galloping horse and 1896 - the year the event began.

“We have 100 vendors,” Klinges said, proudly pointing to baseball hats, straw hats, T-shirts, needlepoint pillows and brightly covered tote bags.

They said most people want to take home a souvenir, which range in price from $5 to $300.

Lawrence grew up on the Main Line, lived in Los Angeles and Miami, and recently moved back to Wayne.

“A neighbor asked me if I wanted to volunteer,” she said. “I love it. I buy the merchandise. Everything is the iconic blue. Everyone has a favorite sweatshirt.”

Susan Jordan grew up in Tredyffrin Township and began volunteering in 2019.
“I started riding horses when I was seven,” she said, as she was stacking mugs on the shelves. “I rode in the Devon Horse Show. This is where generations of families come. It’s really fun, and now I am a volunteer.”

The event runs Thursday, through Sunday, June 5. The gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

The country fair begins at 10 a.m., featuring food booths, crafts, plants and an amusement park with a ferris wheel, carousel and games for children of all ages. More information is available here.