Month: January 2020

 

For an unprecedented second year in row, The Erie County Fair was recognized internationally with the “Best Overall Marketing Campaign” award during the annual convention of International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) held in San Antonio, Texas. This is only the second time in the Fair’s 181-year history that it has won the top marketing award in North America.

 

 

The Fair received the award for its 2019 advertising campaign titled, “Summerific.” The professionally judged campaign included all advertising elements including poster graphics, brochures, outdoor, television, radio, print display advertising, digital media, use of social media, website, merchandise and related promotional materials. The Erie County Fair competed in “Division 5” of the IAFE’s Hall of Honor Communication Awards which represents fairs with attendance of one million or more. These fairs include the Minnesota State Fair, New York State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair, the Canadian National Exposition, the Los Angeles County Fair and the Texas State Fair.

 

 

“The 2019 campaign embodied the dynamic, textured, fun-filled atmosphere that is uniquely the Erie County Fair, “said Erie County Fair Marketing & Brand Manager Marty Biniasz. “We created the word Summerific to describe the feeling you have when the weather is warm, the days are long and the summer just can’t get any better. It’s a place where the food tastes amazing, the music makes you dance, and everyone has a smile. It’s Summerific. It’s the Erie County Fair.”

 

 

In addition to the “Best Overall Marketing Campaign” recognition, the Erie County Fair’s marketing team received a total of 14 awards for excellence in the various communications and sponsorship categories including “Best Brochure,” “Best Electronic Newsletter,” “Best Outdoor Billboard,” “Best Social Media Campaign,” and “Best Marketing Promotional Display or Piece.”

 

 

The Erie County Fair partnered with Buffalo’s Wynne Creative Group, a nationally recognized marketing and branding firm, to develop the 2019 campaign. Wynne Creative Group has served the Erie County Fair since 2003. Wynne Creative Group specializes in design, brand development and advertising. Website design and support was provided by Saffire.

 

 

About the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)

Based in Springfield, Mo., the IAFE is a nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions, and allied fields. The IAFE was founded in 1885 with a half dozen fairs as members. Today, over 2,500 fairs, festivals, expositions and suppliers in the United States and internationally, are members of IAFE.

 

About Wynne Creative Group

A nationally recognized firm headquartered in downtown Buffalo, NY. Founded in 2002, the group specializes in design, advertising, publications and brand development. The firm provides communication and marketing solutions to local, national and global businesses. Their industry experience includes hospitality, financial services, food and beverage, medical services and not-for-profits (www.WynneCreative.com).

 

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 2020 Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 12^th -23^rd (www.ECFair.org).

 

A ranking of top fairs and exhibitions has again named the Erie County Fair the largest county fair east of the Rocky Mountains, the 3^rd largest county fair in the United States (up from 4^th position in 2018) and 12^th largest fair overall in North America in 2019 (up from 13^th place in 2018). The ranking of fairs, based on attendance, is published annually by CarnivalWarehouse.com. The “Top 50 Fair” list includes all county and state fairs, exhibitions and rodeo shows in the United States and Canada.

 

 

1 San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA   1,531,199        31 days

2 Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA   1,393,482        31 days

3 ERIE COUNTY FAIR, HAMBURG, NY   1,238,456        12 days

4 Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, CA   1,100,000        24 days

 

 

 

“This ranking is something that the entire Buffalo-Niagara region can take pride in accomplishing,” said Marty Biniasz, Erie County Fair Marketing Manager. “When looking at the ranking, you need to consider that the Erie County Fair out draws most state fairs in the United States. The west coast county fairs that rank above us benefit from a much longer operating run and are located in top 10 US population markets.”

 

 

In 2019, the all-time attendance record for the Erie County Fair was shattered as the “Best 12 Days of Summer” in Western New York State concluded with a final attendance of 1,238,456. This number represented a 3.3% increase from 2018 and made 2019’s number the highest attended Fair in the history of the Erie County Agricultural Society. The previous all-time record was achieved in 2014 (1,220,101).

 

The following is CarnivalWarehouse.com’s 2019 Top 25 Fairs:

 

1          Texas State Fair, Dallas, TX – 2,514,637

2          Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Houston, TX – 2,506,263

3          Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN – 2,126,551

4          San Antonio Livestock Show, San Antonio, TX – 1,900,000

5          Eastern State Exhibition, Springfield, MA – 1,629,527

6          San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA – 1,531,199

7          Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, ON – 1,500,000

8          Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA – 1,393,482

9          New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY – 1,329,275 (13 Days)

10        Calgary Stampede, Calgary, ALB – 1,275,465

11        Arizona State Fair, Phoenix, AZ – 1,262,868

12        ERIE COUNTY FAIR, HAMBURG, NY –  1,238,456 (12 Days)

13        Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Fort Worth, TX – 1,216,140

14        Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, IA – 1,170,375

15        Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis, WI – 1,130,572

16        Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, CA – 1,100,000

17        Washington State Fair, Puyallup, WA – 1,100,000

18        Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa, OK – 1,040,000

19        North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh, NC – 939,039

20        Ohio State Fair, Columbus, OH – 934,925

21        Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma City, OK – 900,000

22        Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, IN – 878,857

23        Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC – 732,000

24        K Days, Edmonton, ALB – 702,327

25        National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO – 701,656

 

 

See complete list at: https://carnivalwarehouse.com/images/site/pageserver/file/top50/2019list.pdf

 

 

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 2020 Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 12^th – 23^rd. (www.ECFair.org).

 

Bringing together the region’s farming community and the services necessary for daily operations is the goal of the 10^th Annual Western New York Farm Show, January 30 – February 1, 2019 at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, New York. The exposition is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society.

 

 

“Over the last decade, Western New York State’s agricultural industry has experienced mounting external challenges such as new labor laws, shifts in consumer preferences, lower commodity prices, loss of farmland due to development and higher production costs,” said Erie County Agricultural Society CEO Jessica Underberg. “Events like the Farm Show are part of the Society’s mission to promote the region’s agricultural resources, whether it’s the crops in the field or the hardworking people working in the barns. It’s our hope that the Farm Show helps to strengthen the farm community through education and communications with a little bit of fun thrown in.”

 

 

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 free pesticide recertification classes.

 

 

This year’s show highlights, provided at no cost, include discussions on “Managing Pasture Health,” “Worker Protection Standard and Farm Pesticide Regulations,” and “Keeping Long Term Hay Fields Productive.” Returning for 2020 will be the Farmer’s Bazaar showcasing local, homemade and regionally grown products

 

 

The show will also feature a number of spectator and participant driven competitions. High School students will be able to show off their skills during the Mechanics Competition on Friday, January 31st from 9:30am-1pm. The 5th Annual Farmer Elite Toss Hay Bale Throwing Competition take place each day of the show at Noon inside the Agriculture Discovery Center.  A “pee wee” toss featuring competitors 12 & under will take place daily before the adult competition. The ADMAR Skid Steer Rodeo will time the fastest drivers as they navigate an obstacle course and compete against the clock.

 

 

The 2nd Annual Lumberjack Classic will attract the best timbersport competitors in the northeast to the Farm Show on Saturday, February 1^st (9a-1p)  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.”

 

 

For little “future farmers,” children 12 & under will be able to compete for prizes during our Pedal Tractor Races on Saturday, February 1st. The popular “Little Hand On The Farm” experience from the Erie County Fair will be on display during the Show. Inside the Agriculture Discovery Center, kids will have the opportunity to collect eggs, apples, maple and milk and “sell” it back at the Farmer’s Market.

 

 

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 30^th, 10:00am-4:00pm; Friday, January 31^st, 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday, February 1^st, 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.