6 Fairs to Attend This Season
From county fairs to the Great New York State Fair, region offers a wide variety of entertainment options
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Attending a local fair builds community in so many ways. Friends and family attend together to share experiences. They buy from local vendors and support the local economy. They also see exhibitors from their community. Why not make plans to attend your local fair this summer?
Here are some of the fairs taking place in the region:
The 166th Oswego County Fair in Sandy Creek, July 2-6, will feature “Barn in the USA” as its theme this year. In addition to animal exhibits and competitions, tractor pulls and truck pulls, visitors can see the entries for the annual Bucket of Junk contest, where participants create a sculpture from, well, a bucket of junk.
The Boonville-Oneida County Fair in Boonville, July 22-27, has hosted the Coleman Bros. Shows as the midway manager for 75 years this season. In addition to animal competitions, fairgoers can also expect tractor pulls and a demolition derby.
Onondaga County Fair in Syracuse, July 29-Aug. 3, is held at the New York State Fairgrounds, but is a separate event from the statewide fair. In addition to animal exhibits, live entertainment like Dan the Snakeman, cooking demonstrations, Onondaga County Sheriff’s K-9 demo and STEM activities provide plenty to do all day.
https://cceonondaga.org/4-h-youth-family-development/onondaga-county-4-h-youth-fair
Cayuga County Fair in Union Springs, July 31-Aug. 2, has been operating for more than 200 years. Fairgoers enjoy tractor and farm equipment demonstrations, farm animal competitions, “fair food” and live entertainment, all at Union Springs Fire Hall Field (previously at Emerson Park).
Empire Farm Days in Pompey, early August, was canceled in 2024 with a promise of renaming and relaunching in 2025. At press time, it’s unclear if the event will be held this year. In previous years, the event included local food vendors, agriculture-related entertainment like tractor square dances and hay bale tosses, equipment auctions and numerous farm equipment demonstrations, educational sessions and vendors of equipment and supplies for farmers and other rural landowners.
www.facebook.com/empirefarmdays
The annual summer wrap-up, The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, Aug. 20-Sept 1, is one of the nation’s biggest fairs, comprised of 360 acres of entertainment. It’s also the nation’s oldest and longest-running state fair. Where else can you in one day see animal, art and performance exhibitors; experience live concerts, street performers, seal show, circus, live cattle birth, miniature golf course and petting zoo; and explore distinct cultural zones, carnival games and midway rides? Don’t forget the Dairy Products Building to see the annual butter sculpture and pick up a cup of fresh chocolate or white milk to wash down a freshly baked treat or ice cream cone. The variety of vendors at the fair is also impressive, as several buildings are areas on the fairgrounds include vendor areas.