Month: April 2018

Image: 2018 Erie County Fair “Best In Show” home brewer Kevin DiTondo (C), with Flying Bison Brewery Founder Tim Herzog (L) and Flying Bison Master Brewer Colin Herzog (R).

 

A Vienna Lager brewed by Kevin DiTondo of Cheektowaga, New York was named “Best of Show” during the Erie County Fair’s 2018 Home Brew Competition. Judging for the Fair’s competition, now in its fifth year, took place on Thursday, April 19^th and Saturday, April 21^st at the Fairgrounds. A panel of 23 judges and master judges evaluated the submissions according to nationally recognized Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) protocols.

 

According to BJCP’s published style guidelines, Vienna Lagers are an amber colored brew with a rich toasty character. The Fair’s winning entry had an attractive light brown copper appearance filled with bread and raisin aroma with a slight hops taste. Judges noted that the brew has “just enough sweetness to keep it from bring crisp.” Vienna lagers were first introduced in the Austrian capital in the mid-19th century. The beer style is known for pairing well with chicken, pizza, barbeques and spicy dishes…a good match for all Fair foods!

 

Winning brewer Kevin DiTondo is a member of the Niagara Association of Homebrewers. He has been brewing since 2010 when he received a home brew kit as a Christmas gift. He is a multi-award winning home brewer who took top and second honors at the Amber Waves of Grain (AWOG) competition in 2017. 2018 was his 3rd year entering the Erie County Fair Home Brew competition.

 

His winning lager was brewed in late December 2017. When coming up with his recipe, DiTondo used a Vienna Lager brewed commercially by the Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company located in Roseland, VA as a reference. Locally, the most popular commercial Vienna Lager is Flying Bison Brewing Company’s “Rusty Chain.”

 

Once crowned “Best Of Show,” DiTondo submitted the beer’s recipe to the professional brew staff at Flying Bison Brewery. Kegged product, based on the homebrew recipe, will be offered by Try-It Distributing to select Western New York establishments for public purchase prior to the Fair. During the 179^th Erie County Fair, on premise “beer gardens” will feature the award winning beer.

 

DiTondo also placed 2^nd Best of Show in this year’s competition with his Irish Extra Stout.  Other top honors were also given to Kenneth Demarree who received 3^rd Best of Show for his Fruit Lambic. Steve Landgren of Webster, New York received an honorable mention for his American IPA. A complete listing of winners is available online at: https://bit.ly/2K9ZTht

 

The Erie County Fair Home Brew competition is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society with support from Try-It Distributing, Flying Bison Brewing and KATZ Americas.

 

The judging of home brewed beer is just one of the competitions held annually by the Erie County Fair. In 2018, over 12,500 entries are expected to be received and judged by the Fair’s Competitive Exhibits Office. The wide range of ribbon winning categories include agriculture, conservation and creative arts among others. 2018 entries will be accepted online beginning May 1^st at www.ECFair.org.

 

About the Erie County Fair

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 2018 Erie County Fair will be held August 8^th – 19^th (www.ECFair.org)

 

At the Erie County Fair, we love to compete! Spirited competition among peers is at the heart of the fair experience. Who has the best photograph? Best jam? Biggest stalk of corn? Annually the Erie County Fair offers a chance to show off our region’s creativity in a variety of exhibits from wine making, fine arts, conservation, woodworking and agriculture just to name a few. More than 12,500 entries in 8,985 classes are processed each year for a chance to win cash prizes, but more importantly, the bragging rights that’s associated with taking home a championship ribbon.

 

The Erie County Fair welcomes public participation as most competitions have no residency requirement. Only the Fair’s “Home Wine,”  “Home Brew” and “Conservation” categories are restricted to residents of New York State.  Children as young as 5 years of age are encouraged to take part in Junior Creative Arts submissions that include Lego building block sculptures, handmade jewelry and doll making.

 

New for 2018 is a Mystery Dress Challenge in Creative Arts.  Based on the theme, “outer space,” the Fair will provide a dress form and a bag of mystery items. With the provided elements, competitors must design and complete a dress during a three hour time period on Wednesday, August 15^th. The winning dress will be named 2018 “Miss Universe.”

 

Entry information that includes terms/conditions, class listings and deadlines will be available exclusively online at the Erie County Fair’s website (www.ECFair.org) on May 1^st. Questions regarding the Fair’s Competitive Exhibits may be directed to Entries@ECFair.org or at (716) 649-3900 x6407.

Tickets for the 2018 Erie County Fair National Grid Concert Series at the Buffalo.com Grandstand go on sale this morning, Thursday, April 19^th at 10am. The lineup of ticketed shows includes:

 

Thursday, August 9^th, 7:30p – Country music star Chris Young. Tickets are $70 for preferred track, $50 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.

 

Friday, August 10^th, 8:30p – The legendary classic rockers ZZ Top. Tickets are $60 for preferred track, $45 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.

 

Sunday, August 12^th, 7:30p – Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell, also known as Dick Fox’s Golden Boys. Reserved seats will be $35 and general admission tickets are $20.

 

Monday, August 13^th, 7:30p – Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, The Oak Ridge Boys. Reserved track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.

 

Tuesday, August 14^th, 7:30p – 2018 Academy of Country Music’s “New Vocal Group of the Year” winner Midland. Reserved track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.

 

Tickets for all paid shows will go on sale at 10a, Thursday, April 19^th at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30a-4:30p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.

To purchase tickets visit: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=1589&campid=web_concerts_0419

 

 

 

The return of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, an energized country music lineup, an increase in free concerts and new preferred track seating highlight the Erie County Fair’s at the Buffalo.com Grandstand during the 179^th Fair this August.

 

“The energy behind this year’s Buffalo.com Grandstand lineup will be intense,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg. “From music legends to current chart toppers, our team worked extremely hard to find the best entertainers possible while all along trying to add more free shows and to keep ticketed shows reasonably priced.”

 

To celebrate the Fair’s 150^th year in Hamburg, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a special sesquicentennial concert on the Fair’s Opening Night, Wednesday, August 8th at 8p. This will mark only the fifth time in the Fair’s 197 year history that the BPO has performed at the Fair. The region’s beloved orchestra previously appeared at the Fair in 1955, 1956, 1993 and 2014. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.

 

The number of free Buffalo.com Grandstand concerts has doubled to four shows in 2018. In addition to being FREE with gate admission access, the Fair also unveiled a new ticket pricing structure that includes a “preferred track” paid seating option for two of the Buffalo.com Grandstand’s four free concerts. The $20 per ticket option will be available for the Monday, August 13^th Oak Ridge Boys show and the Tuesday, August 14^th Midland concert that will provide priority seating in the center track sections. General admission seating for these shows will remain FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.

 

“The new preferred track option for free concerts will allow the Erie County Fair to increase its entertainment offerings as well as allow diehard fans to get the best seats possible,” said Underberg.

 

After last year which saw no headline country music at the Fair, officials are excited to announce that country music star Chris Young will perform on Thursday, August 9^th at 7:30p. Young’s country credentials speak for themselves: Ten #1s and 17 Gold or Platinum certifications; nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association, and The Recording Academy; a massive, twice-extended headlining tour; and in 2017, he became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets are $70 for preferred track, $50 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.

 

The legendary ZZ Top will take to the stage on Friday, August 10^th at 8:30p. Known as “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” ZZ Top lay undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact. In 2004 the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, there are only three of them – Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard — but it’s still a remarkable achievement that they’re still very much together after almost 50 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio. They’re real, they’re surreal and they’re ZZ Top at the Fair! Tickets are $60 for preferred track, $45 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.

 

The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute will return to Hamburg on Saturday, August 11^th at 8p. Regarded as the best Beatles tribute band in the world, the group has travelled the globe impersonating Lennon, McCartney, Ringo, and Harrison. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.

 

Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell, also known as Dick Fox’s Golden Boys, will be live in concert at The Erie County Fair on Sunday, August 12^th at 7:30p. These men represent three of the most popular teen idols of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The concert will spotlight each of the performers and their all-time greatest hits like “Turn Me Loose,” “Tiger” and “I’m A Man” (Fabian); “Venus,” “De De Dinah” and “Bobby Sox to Stockings” (Avalon); and “Volare,” “Wild One” and “Kissin’ Time” (Rydell). Reserved seats will be $35 and general admission tickets are $20.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, The Oak Ridge Boys, will return to the Erie County Fair this summer with a performance at the Buffalo.com Grandstand on Monday, August 13^th at 7:30p. This will mark the band’s fifth appearance at the Fair and first since 2001. The Oak Ridge Boys’ first appearance in Hamburg was 1985 and returned again in 1986 and 1990. Known for their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs, the Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits, earned five GRAMMYs®, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards. Preferred track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.

 

The Erie County Fair is pleased to announce that Midland has been confirmed to perform on Tuesday, August 14^th at 7:30p. Midland was recently named 2018’s “Best New Group” by the Academy of Country Music. Made up of singer Mark Wystrach, lead guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy, Midland is the embodiment of 70’s California country, with smooth Eagles-like harmonies and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics. After endearing themselves to fans with the hit radio single “Drinkin’ Problem” and a self-titled EP, the trio of friends known as Midland unveiled their full-length debut, On the Rocks, which also features the songs “Make a Little” and “Nothin’ New Under the Neon.” Preferred track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.

 

Tickets for all paid shows will go on sale at 10a, Thursday, April 19^th at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30a-4:30p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.

The Erie County Agricultural Society, sponsors of the Erie County Fair, invites brass, woodwind and percussion musicians as well as color guard members in grades 7 through 12 to join the Erie County Fair Marching Band this summer. The band is an “all-star” county ensemble representing schools across Western New York. The band performs at parades and events across the region during July and is featured daily at the Erie County Fair.

 

“This is an excellent opportunity for students to continue developing their confidence and musical skills throughout the summer months,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg. “Participants get to interact with students from other districts as well as showcase their talents at the region’s largest annual event.”

 

Interested students are asked to complete an online application by May 11, 2018. Forms and information about the program are available at https://bit.ly/2H7cSlr.

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Now in its 36^th summer season, the Erie County Fair Marching Band was founded in 1982 under the baton of former Orchard Park music instructor, Chris Revett, at the request of then Fair CEO Paul C. Laing. The Erie County Fair is one of the only county fairs in North America to sponsor its own onsite marching band. The 2018 edition of the band is directed by Kellianne Griffith with assistance by Cameron Griffith. The band’s color guard is guided by Director Carolyn Kosinski.

 

The Erie County Fair Marching Band is presented by Pepsi Cola.