Erie County Fair Blog

…and we mean really WILD about the Fair!

 We are launching our annual search for the Ultimate Fairgoer. The person we are looking for has a passion for the Erie County Fair and shares their dedication and enthusiasm with their family and friends.

 If this sounds like someone you know- nominate them today.

 Nominations will be accepeted until August 1st. Send a letter, pictures, video, poster or anything else creative you can think of to help your nominee beat out the competition and be named 2012 Ultimate Fairgoer.

Email your nomination to marketing@ecfair.org or mail them to: Ultimate Fairgoer at 5600 McKinley Pkwy Hamubrg, NY 14075

 The winner will receive a passes to the Erie County Fair, a chance to ride in the parade, Strates Ride Cards, an annual pass for all the NYS Fairs, a gift certificate to the Fair Gift Shop and the coveted title of 2012 Ultimate Fairgoer.

Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines….and get to the Erie County Fair for an opportunity to meet NASCAR Driver Ryan Truex.

Truex will  be at the Fair on August 12 from 1-4pm as well as in the Wild About the Fair! Daily Parade. Bring your cameras and one item to be autographed for this meet and greet opportunity, located behind the Hamburg Casino.

Truex is just 20 years old and has been racing professionally for three years. He has competed in twenty nine races, finishing in the Top Ten seven times. He has also been named the 2009 Camping World East Series Champion and the 2010 K&N Pro Series East Champion.  

When Truex competed in the Camping World East Series he had three wins, one of which was in Watkins Glen. Truex will be visiting the Fair after returning to the Glen in search of another victory.  

This special NASCAR appearance is brought to you by Nationwide Insurance-Getzoni Agency.

We have been singing it for the past week and you will be too! Keep an ear out for the NEW Erie County Fair jingle!

The 2012 jingle was written, recorded and produced by Buffalo legend Lance Diamond. Diamond has been performing since the mid 70s and has fans expanding entire generations. He has performed with James Brown and the Goo Goo Dolls and has had a weekly run at the Elmwood Lounge for 25 years!

Diamond has traveled across the US and Canada on various tours and has even had the opportunity to travel abroad performing. His shows are fun filled- the only thing more exciting may be his outfit! Check out Lance Diamond in Slade Park on August 17 from 7-9:30pm

On your mark, get set, GO!

The Erie County Fair 5K returns on Saturday August 11, 2012 at 9am at the Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY. This newly certified 3.1 mile course is one of the flattest in WNY. The starting and finish line are at the entrance of the Grandstand and the race route takes participants through the Town and Village of Hamburg.

Pre-registration cost is $20 and participants may register online at ecfair.org under the contests tab. Pre-registration is encouraged, however, racers may sign up beginning at 7:30am on the day of the race for a $25 entry fee.

All ages are welcome to participate in the 5K, however, no pets, skateboards, rollerblades or bicycles are allowed on the course. Water stations will be provided.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Special Olympics of New York, an organization that is dedicated to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics New York athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom,, the home, the workplace and the community. (From Special Olympics of New York website, nyso.org)

For more information on the Erie County Fair 5K, please call (716) 649-3900 or email hollys@ecfair.org 

Click here to register online now!

What is better than a beautiful summer day at the Erie County Fair? Getting in for FREE!

 Just stop by a participating Sunoco A Plus location between June 15 and August 19 and purchase any two (2) Pepsi twelve packs to receive a FREE admission voucher to the Erie County Fair.

Redeem your voucher any day, any time at any ticket booth and let your “Wild” day of Fair fun begin!

The Erie County Agricultural Society, Erie County Fair and Hamburg Casino have awarded over $20,000 to derserving high school seniors and college students in the form of scholarships in various amounts. Twenty six students, representing every corner of Western New York, recieved awards this year. These students attend colleges throughout the northeast and are studying a variety of different fields.

 We are proud to annouce the 2012 winners and wish them the best in thier sure to be bright futures. Congratulations.

http://ecfair.org/about-the-fair/scholarships/

Two popular events are returning to the Buffalo.com Grandstand for this year’s Erie County Fair.

LUCAS OIL TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL WITH WNY PRO FARM PULLERS

Friday, August 17th at 6:00pm

Saturday, August 18th at 6:00pm

Ticket prices are $20 pit pass, $16 for infield, and $12 for Grandstand.  Kids 12 & under are admitted free with a paid adult ticket.

Top competitors from North America will compete in this event that has been featured on ESPN2 and will have trucks, tractors and semi’s rev up to pull the farthest for cash prizes.

WORLD’S LARGEST DEMOLITION DERBY

Sunday, August 19th at 1:00pm – NOTE NEW SHOW TIME!

Sunday, August 19th at 7:00pm

Ticket prices: $16

Drivers enter the track to smash up cars and vie to be the last one moving to win cash prizes and being crowned champion. The 1:00pm show will feature a Bus Derby.

Tickets for these events go on sale Saturday starting at 10am through www.tickets.com, the Fairgrounds Event Center or by phone at 1-888-223-6000.  Grandstand tickets purchased in advance include Fair admission day of show.

Find out more information at www.ecfair.org.

WHTT and WKBW -TV Welcome 1964 The Tribute on the Buffalo.com Grandstand at the Erie County Fair

•         FREE Concert on August 8^th at 8PM
•         ‘The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth,’ says Rolling Stone Magazine
•          The “concept is performing a show that gives you an idea of what it was like to see the Beatles when they were touring” says Benson (Benson plays a Rickenbacker guitar like that used by Lennon).
•         Band members: Tom Work as George Harrison, Mark Benson as John Lennon, Graham Alexander as Paul McCartney and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr.     Gary Grimes, the original Paul McCartney the passed away in 2010 with brain cancer.
•         Rolling Stone Magazine has stated 1964, “The best Beatles tribute ever”
•         Featured on Entertainment Tonight, PM Magazine, CNN, The USA Network and the Nashville Network.
•         Readers of the Campus Activities Today Magazine voted the Tribute “Best Major Concert Act” and “Best Contemporary Act”
•         Voted by National Association for Campus Activities “Contemporary Music Artists of the Year”
•         Voted “Campus Entertainer of the Year” by Canadian Association for Campus Activities.

The Erie County Agricultural Society, Hamburg Casino and Alltech are proud to present the Western New York Hog Preview Classic on June 2nd and 3rd in the Showplex building on the Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY.  This is a NJSA recommended show that is open to exhibitors of all ages; this show gives individuals experience prior to showing at their local county and /or state fair.  Showmanship classes will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at 6:00 p.m. and the Market Hog show and Purebred Breeding Gilt show will be Sunday June 3rd at 11:00 a.m. The judge is Daryl Real of Dallas, TX.

The early entry deadline is May 18, 2012.  Late entries will be accepted up until 9a.m. on Sunday, June 3rd.  The show will have a skill-a-thon on Saturday June 2nd which will be followed by a potluck dinner.  A free Pork Quality Assurance certification class will be offered Saturday night following showmanship.

For more information or an entry form please check out our website www.the-fairgrounds.com and click on “Year Round Events” then click on “Livestock”, where an entry form can be downloaded.  You can also call the Fairgrounds at (716) 649-3900 and an entry form can be mailed to you.

Erie County Fair is looking for eight to ten interns to work with The Fairgrounds’ Marketing Department primarily as media escorts and to assist in various marketing projects and public relations duties for the Fair, which will run August 8-19, 2012.

An informative session will be held on Monday, May 21, 5-7PM and Tuesday, May 22, 2:30-5PM in the Meeting Room B and C of the Event Center on the Fairgrounds in Hamburg.  Details of the internship will be explained and interviews will be held on the spot.

Students majoring in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations or a related field should consider applying.  Applicants must possess excellent written and verbal communication skill, be self motivated and have a flexible schedule with the ability to work a minimum of 15 hours per week.  The position will run from August 5 through August 23, 2012 with two orientation sessions prior to that.

Interested students need only attend one session and should bring a resume with them.  For more information, please contact  Hollys@ecfair.org.