By Kate Bartlett
August 6-17 marks the 185th annual Erie County Fair, also known as the 12 best days of summer. The fair offers something for everyone, from midway rides and games to hundreds of food vendors, entertainment, concerts, motor events, competitions, livestock barns and more. The Erie County Fair offers a full day of fun, discovery and unique experiences for just $22.50/day.
Jessica Underberg, Erie County Fair Manager and CEO since 2017, has been involved with The Fair for 30 years. “The fair truly has something for everyone,” says Jessica. “We’re excited to bring back fairgoers’ favorite attractions and we’re looking forward to unveiling a few new additions.”
New this year in the Agriculture Discovery Center will be the Erie County Fair Tater Truck, a hands-on interactive potato truck allowing fairgoers to discover potatoes from the ground up. “This exhibit rotates every few years and is focused on connecting the public with agriculture, and we’re especially excited to introduce this truck to our guests. It’s sure to be fun for all ages.”
Next door, in Fair Bear’s Farmland, experts will hold talks to educate on different breeds of animals in a new program called Breeds 101. “We’ll have a schedule with live presentations to educate fairgoers on the unique animals in Farmland throughout the day.” Fair Bear will also host all-new dance parties three times daily inside the exhibit.
The Showplace will house a new local artisan market with a total of 48 vendors that rotate every 3 days. Vendors include soaps, apparel, home goods, candles, crafts, jams & jellies, and more. “We have a wide variety of vendors. The only requirement is that the goods are local and homemade. We’re looking forward to introducing this area, providing a new opportunity for guests to shop and support local artisans.”
The Erie County Fairway mini golf course returns this year (near gate 5) with 12 new holes (6 returning from last year) crafted by groups in the community. The Fairway invites fairgoers to test their skills, and admire the craftsmanship and creativity of the holes. A meaningful addition will be unveiled on the course this year as fairgoers are invited inside the Kindness Clubhouse, a space to reflect and partake in a kindness activity.
The Avenue of Flags Stage has undergone renovations to now provide completely covered seating under a newly constructed pavilion. “This upgraded seating will allow fairgoers to enjoy the many performances on this stage more comfortably.”
New entertainment this year includes the Sea Lion Splash, Disc Connected K9s Rescue Dog Show, The Hypno Zone, Jonathan Burns from America’s Got Talent, The Mariachi Divas, Shanghai Circus, The Dennis Lee Band and Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus. The Mariachi Divas will provide walkaround entertainment, traveling throughout the grounds providing music and entertainment along the way. Dennis Lee blends music and comedy into his fresh, energetic act spanning the full musical spectrum from hot country and pop Elvis classics, rock anthems and more. The Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus has been bringing laughter and smiles to the fair industry for three decades with many different characters.
Returning favorites include Hilby the German Juggle Boy, Swifty Swine, Strolling Piano, Red Trouser Show, Ultimate Stunt Circus, Ramblin’ Lou Family band, Tommy Vee Comedy Hyponotist and more.
and scooters for rental), 6 buildings to shop, 5 green parks, 21 historical
societies on display, 12 touch-a-truck displays, 48 livestock shows, 60+
free daily performances, 70+ live demonstrations, 2,500+ animals on display
across 16 barns and 9,000+ competitive entries to browse across 11 departments,
including arts, culinary, produce and environment. Plus a full midway
with nearly 70 games and rides, and hundreds of food and drink options.
This year’s grandstand entertainment is sure to impress with a new (free) Monster Truck Show by local performers the Robbins Brothers along with many free concerts including Everclear, MJ Live Tribute, Let’s Sing Taylor Swift Tribute, and 1964 Tribute. Ticketed concerts (extra fee) include Foreigner, Happy Together Tour, Tracy Lawrence with Sammy Kershaw and Collin Raye, Shaggy and Wyatt Flores with Kashus Culpepper.
The Erie County Fairgrounds offers 275 acres to explore (with tram rides available and scooters for rental), 6 buildings to shop, 5 green parks, 21 historical societies on display, 12 touch-a-truck displays, 48 livestock shows, 60+ free daily performances, 70+ live demonstrations, 2,500+ animals on display across 16 barns and 9,000+ competitive entries to browse across 11 departments, including arts, culinary, produce and environment. Plus a full midway with nearly 70 games and rides, and hundreds of food and drink options.
Special discount days offer ways to save and add variety to the Fair line-up. Opening day, Wednesday, August 6th, allows free entry with 4 canned goods at the gate. “It’s a great deal for a great cause,” says Jessica. “Help us break last year’s record of 153,125 pounds of food for FeedMore WNY!” Thursday, August 7th is Senior Day, offering reduced $15 entry for 62+ with ID, and Monday the 11th is Taste of the Fair, with $3 food samples at all food vendors. August 12th offers Sensory Hours from 11-2, offering a more toned down version of the fair with reduced lights and sounds. The fair also offers a Sensory Room open during regular fair hours daily. Firefighters Day returns on August 8th and Veterans Day on August 10th, followed by Double the Fun Day on August 13 offering discounted tickets 2/$30 and Thrill Together Day on Thursday August 14 offering wristbands at 2/$50.
All above activities are free and included with fair admission ticket (with the exception of grandstand ticketed concerts, food and midway rides and games, see website for full schedule and pricing information). For more information, visit ecfair.org and follow on social media. Download the Fairgrounds App for maps and schedule to help plan your ideal day at the fair.