In fact, the fallback claim that it's the oldest continuously operating fair in America is even less grounded.

For about 30 years in the first half of the 19th century, the fair did not operate because the annual event had turned into a place for mischief. In 1815, a man was killed at the fair.

Readers and researchers are welcome to put forth a citation marking it as the nation's oldest. For now, an excerpted fair history from "Never to be Forgotten" gives a summary, sans the oldest claim:

The York Inter-State Fair dates its origin from a charter issued by the Penn proprietors in 1765 for two annual fairs. Meanwhile, Wednesday and Saturday markets were authorized in York in 1767. The demand for a fair and farmers markets suggests that county growers are producing more goods than needed to feed their families within 30 years after the county is settled. It also points to sufficient population growth, from settlers continuing their westward march, to create a demand for these goods. The fairs ended after 1815 because of the slaying of Robert Dunn. Three men were convicted of manslaughter in Dunn's death, and a grand jury declared such fairs a public nuisance. Time passed, and the York County Agricultural Society took over the fair in 1853. It has returned on an annual basis since then, except for two years. The fair was held near East King and South Queen streets from 1856 to 1887 and moved to its present ground the next year. The annual event moved from October to September in 1942. In 1876, the whole family could attend the fair for $1. Single admission was 25 cents. Carriages could enter for $1... .