The NEPA tradition is entering its 168th year.

If you're doing one thing this week…

Make it the 168th Harford Fair, running Monday, August 17 through Saturday, August 22 in New Milford.

This is still an actual agricultural fair: livestock, 4-H, horse shows, tractor pulls and beekeeping rather than a carnival that happens to have a cow somewhere. I go every year, and last year I joined the people carrying around the bucket of lemonade (Don't judge me).

Worth knowing before you go: Admission is $12 at the gate, including midway rides! Presale tickets are only $8. Parking is free. That's $16 saved for a family of four. That will help fund the aforementioned bucket of lemonade.

Buy $8 presale tickets  ·  See the fair schedule

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Also happening around NEPA

Pittston Tomato Festival - Aug. 20–23 | Pittston
Food, live entertainment, a parade, 5K, rides and more than 100,000 attendees celebrating the tomato with a level of civic commitment you have to admire. Admission is free.
Festival details & schedule

West Point Band: America 250 - Aug. 20 | Scranton
The U.S. Military Academy's Concert Band performs at the Scranton Cultural Center at 7 PM as part of its America 250 tour. Better yet: it's free and open to the public.
Scranton Cultural Center

Carbondale Pioneer Nights - Aug. 19–22 | Carbondale
Four days of food, music and community events with free admission. On Saturday, Steamtown is even running a special evening train from Scranton, so you can attend without dealing with the driving and parking.
Pioneer Nights information

Wild Women NEPA - Aug. 22 | Tunkhannock
A full day at Lazybrook Park from 10 AM–6 PM with wellness, creativity, workshops and local vendors.
Festival details

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Local Business Spotlight: On&On

On&On on Capouse Avenue is basically 5,000+ square feet of “I wasn't looking for this, but apparently I need it.”

The marketplace started with Scranton pop-ups in 2015 before eventually moving into its current old industrial building. Today, 50+ local artists and vendors fill the space with vintage furniture and clothing, antiques, handmade goods and repurposed pieces.

I like this one because supporting one local shop here really means supporting dozens of local sellers.

Check out On&On

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This Week at Home

Check your HVAC filter.

Don't replace it just because a calendar told you to. Pull it out and actually look. If it's visibly dirty, replace it. If it isn't, put it back and enjoy completing a home-maintenance task without spending any money.

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The Local Market in 30 Seconds

Are buyers getting more choices without homes sitting longer?

That's what the latest numbers suggest.

In June, Lackawanna County had about 1,182 active listings, up 21.6% from a year earlier, while the median home spent just 46 days on the market, about 5% faster than last year. The median sold price was $248,000.

Translation: inventory is improving, but desirable homes aren't simply piling up unsold. Buyers have more to choose from; sellers still have a market that rewards getting the price right.

See the Lackawanna County market data

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Brady