Month: January 2019

 

The Erie County Fair has announced that it’s “I-Hub at the Fair” exhibit will be expanded during the upcoming 180^th Erie County Fair this August. “I-Hub at the Fair,” with the “I” standing for “innovation, imagination & ingenuity,” debuted in 2018 to highlight Western New York’s growing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) based economy and educational opportunities. During the 2019 Erie County Fair, the I-Hub’s exhibit and demonstration space will be further developed into a stand-alone, 6,000 square feet pavilion.

 

“Our goal is to excite fairgoers about STEM based businesses and industries that are changing the economy of Western New York,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg.

 

With the additional exhibit space, the Erie County Fair is now accepting applications from interested business, organizations and educational institutions for participation in this regional celebration of Western New York’s growing STEM economy. An application form and details can be found at: www.ecfair.org/p/other/i-hub-at-the-fair.

 

One of the new attractions already scheduled for the 2019 edition of the “I-Hub” is the Innovation Station. This fun-filled, state-of-the-art children’s exhibit will feature hands-on, immersive experiences that will take families on a journey through STEM learning. Fairgoers will be encouraged to explore, at their own pace, a variety of stations that will include “Weird Science” (Microscopes,  Kinetic sand, Vortex tubes), “Ignite the Light” (The power of static electricity showcased through Van De Graaff demonstrations) and  a virtual reality experience that will showcase VR in medicine.

 

During its inaugural year in 2018, the I-Hub brought together some of Western New York State‘s leading companies and organizations who are leading the charge including the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, National Grid, EagleHawk, Staub Precision Machine, Praxair, SomaDetect, University at Buffalo GEM (Genome, Environment & Microbiome), UB Society for Automotive Engineers, Girl Scouts of Western New York, UB NanoSat, The Buffalo Manufacturing Works, The New York Power Authority, FIRST Robotics and the Northland Workforce Training Center.

 

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 will be held August 7th – 18th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org)

 

Bringing together the region’s farming community and the services necessary for daily operations is the goal of the 9^th Annual Western New York Farm Show, January 31- February 2, 2019 at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, New York. The exposition is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society.

 

 

The Western New York Farm Show strives to educate farmers from around the region about the latest cutting-edge agricultural products and technology. Vendors include feed, seed, and equipment dealers, farm service providers, and non-for-profits that specialize in agriculture education, promotion, and advancement. Industry professionals will lead seminars daily covering a variety of topics and show goers will have an opportunity to earn spray credits during pesticide recertification classes. New for 2019 will be a Farmer’s Bazaar showcasing local, homemade and regionally grown products. The show will also feature a number of spectator and participant driven competitions.

 

 

The inaugural WNY Farm Show Lumberjack Classic on Saturday, February 2^nd at 10am will pit some of the best timbersport competitors in the nation against each other for cash prizes. During this free event, spectators will be able to see competitors chop and saw their way through a series of events that include “Jack and Jill Crosscut,”  “Open Springboard,” and “Open Axe Throw.”

 

 

High School students and “real world” mechanics (18-21 years of age) will be able to show off their skills during the NAPA Auto Parts Mechanics Competition Friday, February 1^st. The 4^th Annual Farmer Elite Toss Hay Bale Throwing Competition sponsored by Cintas will take place each day of the show inside the Agriculture Discovery Center.  A “pee wee” toss featuring competitors 12 & under will take place daily before the adult competition. A children’s pedal tractor race will take place on Saturday, February 2^nd at 11am.  The ADMAR Skid Steer Rodeo, scheduled for Noon each day of the show, will time the fastest drivers as they navigate an obstacle course and compete against the clock.

 

 

Free and open to the public, the WNY Farm Show will be held inside two heated buildings on the Fairgrounds. Show times are: Thursday, January 31^st, 10:00am-4:00pm; Friday, February 1^st, 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday, February 2^rd, 9:00am-3:00pm. For more information or to register for any of the open competitions, visit WNYFarmShow.com , email wnyfarmshow@ecfair.org or call 716-649-3900 ext. 6488.

 

 

The Erie County Fairgrounds is located in Hamburg, New York easily accessible by the New York State Thruway (I-90) off exit 56. The grounds are located just 20 minutes south of Buffalo. For GPS users, use the address 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, New York 14075.

 

 

About the Erie County Agricultural Society

 

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 WNY Farm Show and Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. (www.ECFair.org)

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