Erie County Fair
The Erie County Fair and Exposition, also known as "America's Fair", is a fair held in Hamburg, NY every August. It is the the second largest fair in New York topped only by Great New York State Fair which is 110 acres larger , and the third largest county fair in the United States, often drawing over one million in attendance.
The first Erie County Fair was held in 1819, and was hosted by the Erie County Agricultural Society. The fair is currently the second longest operating fair in the United States.
It is also where the modern hamburger was invented,[citation needed] at the Erie County Fair, as its location (Hamburg), solves the riddle as to why there is no ham in hamburgers. However, this is disputed as a number of other claims have also been made as to the origin of the hamburger.
The 2007 fair ran from August 8-19 and was the 168 edition.
History
After the 1821 Fair, the Society foundered due to the poor economy in the area and the difficulty of transporting livestock over nearly impassable roads. The Society was reborn in 1841 and again started holding its annual Fair. The Erie County Fair has been held every year since 1841 with the exception of 1943, which was canceled because of World War II.
After many years of being held in Buffalo, the Fair was moved throughout different locations in Aurora, Lancaster, East Hamburgh, (now Orchard Park) West Seneca, and Springville from 1851-1867. In 1868, the Society moved the Fair to its Hamburg location and has remained there ever-since.
The current location started as a 12 acre plot of land but over the years the site has grown to emcompass a full 265 acres. The length of the fair has also risen by a starting out as just a one day event which now has a half day preview night and 10 full days.[1] The last day of the fair features a demoltion derby produced by JM Productions.
While most fair workers at the fair are employed by the fair or vendors there is a group of dedicated volunteers who in 1988 started The Friends of the Fair Volunteer Program act as greeters, building staff (such as greeters and people who count how many people enter a building), and man information booths.
Annual days for free or reduced price admission
•Firefighter's Day- Firefighters and immediate family with valide firefighters id get in free. There are tents set up on the horsetrack infield for each fire company to get together meet and have a cookout, there is also a free parade which the firefighters can walk in.
•Vetrans Day- All members of the VFW or current servicemembers with valid id get in free. The tents are set up on the horsetrack infield for each VFW post to have members meet and have a cookout. A free parade featuring members marching is also held.
•Grandparent's Day- Kids 12 & under receive free admission with a paid grandparent.
•Student Day- Students pay just $5 admission all day! (Ages 13-22 with proper id)
Some Fair Facts
The front of the fair having 2 rought iron gates facing South Park Ave.
The fair has onsite parking for about 15,000 cars.
The fair is third largest county fair in the USA with an average attendance hovering around 1 million people.
86 permanant structures including a casino and horse racing track aptly named "Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway".
Strates Shows has run the midway since 1924.
The only time in the history of the fair where the event was not held was 1943 during World War 2 due to rationing of supplies for the war effort.
The oldest buildings on grounds is the Octogon building which was orginally built in 1885.
External links