Erie County Fair
Encyclopedia
The Erie County Fair is a fair
held in Hamburg
in Erie County, New York
every August. It is the second largest fair in New York
topped only by Great New York State Fair
which is 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) 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. The fair is third largest county fair in the USA with an average attendance hovering around 1 million people.
The 2012 fair will run August 8-19. The 2011 Fair drew 1,053,150 in attendance, setting an attendance record.
. One year later, Niagara County split into Erie
and Niagara Counties, and so did the agricultural society. The Erie County Agricultural Society is the oldest civic, community member organization in Erie County. The only time in the history of the fair where the event was not held was 1943 during World War II due to rationing of supplies for the war effort.
2012-
2011- Red, White, and You
2010- Fair Fever
2009- Summer Love a Fair
2008- Summer Fun Headquarters
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
held in Hamburg
Hamburg (town), New York
Hamburg is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 56,259.The Town of Hamburg is on the western border of the county and is south of Buffalo, New York. Hamburg is one of the "Southtowns" in Erie County...
in Erie County, New York
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
every August. It is the second largest fair in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
topped only by Great New York State Fair
Great New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair is an annual farmers' exposition and a 12-day showcase of entertainment, education, industry, technology, and more, sponsored by the State of New York. Additionally there are midway rides, , and concerts. The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841...
which is 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) 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. The fair is third largest county fair in the USA with an average attendance hovering around 1 million people.
The 2012 fair will run August 8-19. The 2011 Fair drew 1,053,150 in attendance, setting an attendance record.
History
The Agricultural Society was established in 1819, then called the Niagara County Horticultural Society. It held its first fair in 1820 on what is now the site of the Donovan Office Building in BuffaloBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. One year later, Niagara County split into Erie
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
and Niagara Counties, and so did the agricultural society. The Erie County Agricultural Society is the oldest civic, community member organization in Erie County. The only time in the history of the fair where the event was not held was 1943 during World War II due to rationing of supplies for the war effort.
Themes
Beginning in the 1990s, fairs had themes. Recent themes include:2012-
2011- Red, White, and You
2010- Fair Fever
2009- Summer Love a Fair
2008- Summer Fun Headquarters