The Erie County Agricultural Society has announced a revised gate admission structure. Under the plan that will go into effect during the 180th Erie County Fair in 2019, full-price, adult gate admission will increase from $10 to $12. The revised admission cost is the first gate increase for the Erie County Fair in a decade. The official announcement was made during the Society’s annual membership meeting held Wednesday at the Fairgrounds Event Center.
Changes to gate admission will also be reflected in the Fair’s senior admission price as well as “early bird” and “student” pricing. The Fair’s advance sale program, which takes place prior to opening day, will see prices remain the same in 2019 with adult admission $7 and a senior ticket priced at $5. All children 12 and under will continue to be admitted for free.
“Our board evaluates our gate prices annually and has not increased gate admission since 2009. Moving forward, these adjustments will greatly help the Erie County Fair better serve fairgoers due to increasing labor costs as well as the rising prices for public safety, emergency services, grounds infrastructure, fair production and entertainment,” said Fair CEO & Manager Jessica Underberg. “During the 10 years since our last restructuring, we found opportunities to provide incredible value to our loyal fairgoers through free grounds entertainment, education and safety and attractive grounds. The increase to our full price gate admission ticket will allow the Society to continue to provide fairgoers with an exceptional Fair experience which has come to symbolize the ‘Best 12 Days of Summer’ in Western New York.”
The following is a summary of 2019 gate admission restructuring:
Opening Day admission to the Fair on Wednesday, August 7th will be free for those patrons who donate two cans of food to benefit the Food Bank of WNY. The Fair will also provide free admission to firefighters and auxiliary members on Firefighters Day (August 9th) and for veterans, active military and auxiliary members on Veterans Day (August 11th). For a limited time, fairgoers can also purchase 12-day pass to the Fair (one admission each day of the Fair) for $35.
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 180th Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 7th -18th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org).