Mellot crowned 2026 Centre County Grange Fair Queen; Grange Fair opens today, continues through Aug. 29

Local news TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS 2026 Centre County Grange Fair Queen Sarah Mellot, of Warriors Mark, has been selected as the Centre County Grange Fair Queen for 2026. She accepted her new crown during a ceremony Wednesday evening at the Grange Fair's Southside Stage, attended by family and friends. Mellot, an incoming senior at State College Area High School, spoke about the Grange Fair as a generational family tradition and its role in connecting people across the country. She plans to pursue a degree in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences to become a veterinarian. Raelene Mellott, her mother, described her as capable of achieving anything. Grace Novosel, the 2025 Grange Fair Queen, also spoke, highlighting her appearances across Pennsylvania. Tara Snyder, the alternate fair queen, emphasized the fair’s community aspect and the hard work behind livestock displays. Both queens will have daily appearances during the fair week, which runs from August 21 to August 29. The event includes representatives like State Representative Paul Takac, Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, and Barry Yarnell, president of the Grange Fair Committee.