For much of the last century, Grange fairs were an important part of rural life, an opportunity for isolated farm families to gather to exchange information, showcase livestock and socialize. In addition to possessing some of the trappings of a conventional county fair - agricultural vendors, livestock and produce competitions, food, rides and live performances - the Centre County Grange Fair in Pennsylvania, featured in the Emmy award-winning film, operates likes a small city. It boasts almost a thousand highly coveted residential tents and a fleet of 1,300 recreational vehicles housing thousands of families. Thousands more attend to join family reunions, enjoy the midway and watch competitions.

For many participants, the fair and its competitions mark the culmination of months of work raising animals, growing produce, cooking and baking. Produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting and airing nationwide on public television, The Grange Fair - An American Tradition reveals the drama of those final nail-biting moments in which a year of work goes before the judges along with the personal triumphs and disappointments of those who participate in this unique American phenomena.