The Erie County Fair has announced that it’s “I-Hub at the Fair” exhibit will be expanded during the upcoming 180th 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)