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On Friday, November 29^th, the switch will be flipped on to illuminate more than one million lights as the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights opens its 15^th season. This time-honored, holiday tradition takes place at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg and is the largest Christmas festival in Western New York State.

 

 

The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights will be open for fifteen nights, with opening night on the Friday after Thanksgiving and will run every weekend through December 15th with an expanded schedule December 18th through the 23rd. The Festival is open from 5:00pm-9:00pm, with the buildings and grounds staying open until 10:00pm.

 

 

Visitors to the annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights can save 40% on gate admission with the purchase of a $15 advance sale carload voucher at all Tops Friendly Markets. The discount voucher promotion begins November 1^st and ends on Thanksgiving Day, November 28^th and can be purchased at any checkout register. After November 28^th, standard gate admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is $25 per carload. Carload admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights includes a wide array of activities and holiday fun that includes six decorated buildings, live family entertainment, craft making and vendors. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS). For more information regarding the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights visit www.FairgroundsHoliday.com.

 

 

 

 

 

This December, Western New York companies and organizations will compete amongst each other to build structures made entirely out of canned goods to benefit the Food Bank program of FeedMore WNY. The building of structures for the 3^rd annual Canstruction® Competition is scheduled to take place December 13^th, 14^th & 15^th during the 2019 Fairgrounds Festival of Lights.

 

 

During the competition, employee teams have a total of 12 hours to build their displays. Creations are then judged by a celebrity panel for a chance at winning top accolades for the Best Original Design, Structural Ingenuity, Best Use of labels and the Most Use of Cans. Additionally, Festival of Lights attendees participate in judging by offering a penny vote for their favorite display; which will determine the People’s Choice Award and provide more funds to FeedMore WNY. New this year will be the use of a “winter holiday movie” theme for the Canstruction® structures.

 

 

Since the event’s inaugural year in 2017, a total of 29,105 pounds of food have been collected that provided meals to Western New York citizens. Past companies that have participated include Ferguson Electric, Trautman Associates, National Fuel, Hale, Hamburg Gaming, Wendel and Praxair.

 

 

Those wishing to participate in Canstruction® are asked to visit http://www.the-fairgrounds.com/festival-lights/what-do/holiday-contests. The cost to participate is a $250 entry fee plus the cost of food used in the competition that will be donated to FeedMore WNY.  The Canstruction® Competition is part of the 2019 Fairgrounds Festival of Lights sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS). For more information regarding the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights visit www.FairgroundsHoliday.com

 

 

In celebration of “National Birth of the Burger Day” on Wednesday, September 18^th, Butera’s Craft Beer & Craft Pizza (32 Main Street, Village of Hamburg), will host a special “hamburger history” event from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The evening will include a hamburger sandwich on the menu utilizing the original hamburger recipe that debuted at the 1885 Erie County Fair. The authentic recipe will be provided by John Menches of Canton, Ohio, great-grandson of hamburger co-inventor Charles Menches. In addition, author and culinary historian Chris Carosa will present two “hamburger history” talks during dinner (6-7p & 7-8p) where he will tell the story of the first hamburger. Carosa is the author of Hamburger Dreams – How Classic Crime Solving Techniques Helped Crack the Case of America’s Greatest Culinary Mystery.

 

 

John Menches will be bringing his family’s original recipe from Ohio and patrons will be able to dine on the actual Original Recipe Menches Brothers Hamburger at the event. “Ever since we discovered the original recipe nearly thirty years ago, we encouraged people to taste the original recipe Menches Brothers hamburger so it can be a standard by which all other burgers are judged,” says Mr. Menches.

 

 

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of both the original recipe Menches Brothers hamburger and the book, Hamburger Dreams, will be donated to the historic Hamburg Palace Theatre. The 93-year-old movie house, and Village of Hamburg landmark, is in desperate need of major physical upgrades that include roof repairs, the updating of the existing heating and air conditioning and bathrooms.

 

 

“National Birth of the Burger Day” commemorates the legend of the invention of the hamburger sandwich that took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 18^th is “National Birth of the Burger Day” The day commemorates the legend of the invention of the hamburger sandwich that took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.

 

 

Why September 18^th? Until the early 1920s, the Erie County Fair was held mid to late September or as late as early October to celebrate the agricultural harvest. The 1885 Erie County Fair, the event that saw the invention of the hamburger sandwich, was held September 16th-18th, 1885.

 

“Birth of the Hamburger in Hamburg” Canton, Ohio natives Frank and Charles Menches were food vendors at the 1885 Erie County Fair, also known as the Hamburg Fair. Legend has it that during the course of the Fair, the Menches ran out of their signature menu item of pork sausage sandwiches. Their local supplier, Hamburg butcher Andrew Klein, was reluctant to butcher more hogs during a period of unseasonable late summer heat and suggested to substitute the use of ground beef.  The brothers fired some up, but both found it dry and bland. They added coffee, brown sugar and other ingredients to create a unique taste. The original sandwiches were sold with just ketchup and sliced onions. With new found success with their beef sandwich, they christened it the “hamburger” sandwich after the Erie County Fair’s home town of Hamburg, New York.

 

 

Relishing in the Menches Success! There have been other claims made about the origin of the hamburger sandwich. As concessionaires traveled from one fair to another, it was common to emulate the success of other vendors and share “best practices.” As a result, they would make claims of their own as the “burger” made regional debuts:

 

 

• October 1885 – After learning about the Menches success, fair concessionaire Charlie Nagreen claimed to have sold a meatball between two slices of bread at the Outagamie County Fair in Seymour, Wisconsin.
• Late 1880s – Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas claimed to have invented the hamburger. According to oral histories he opened a lunch counter and served a ‘burger’ of fried ground beef patties with mustard and Bermuda onion between two slices of bread, with a pickle on the side. Davis later went on to sell the burger at the 1904 World’s Fair.
• 1891 – Otto Kuase said he invented the hamburger in 1891 after he cooked a beef patty in butter and topped with a fried egg.
• 1900 – Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch, a small lunch wagon in New Haven, Connecticut, is said to have sold the first hamburger and steak sandwich in the U.S. in 1900, 15 years after the Menches Bros.

 

 

Why the Erie County Fair Menches Hamburger Story “Cuts the Mustard”

 

 

• The Menches Brothers 1885 claim is the oldest “birth of the burger” sandwich story in the United States.
• No other invention story can stake a claim to why their sandwich is called a “hamburger,” our story can!
• Descendants of the Menches Brothers have an original, handwritten burger recipe.
• The Menches family is still in the burger business today. No other claim still has an operating restaurant serving the original recipe.
• In the 1920s, carnival historian John C. Kunzog interviewed Frank Menches about his experience at the Erie County Fair. His detailed hamburger story was published in the 1970 book, “Tanbark & Tinsel.”
• Successful entrepreneurs, the Menches not only claim hamburger history, but are also credited for pioneering the production of ice cream cones and creating “Gee-Whiz,” a caramel coated peanut and popcorn snack now known as Cracker Jacks.
• The National Hamburger Festival is held annually in the Menches home town of Akron, Ohio. Restaurants from across the United States gather to pay homage to good ol’ Frank & Charles Menches.
• Founded in 1985 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Menches Brothers invention, The Village of Hamburg hosts the annual BurgerFest and is one of the biggest annual events in the region.
• The invention of the hamburger story is featured in an exhibit inside the Erie County Fair’s Heritage & History Center Museum. The display includes a child’s sized burger concession stand that allows kids to “serve up” play hamburgers.
• News outlets around the globe including the BBC to Japanese national television have told the Erie County Fair story over the decades. The 1885 Burger Store, a restaurant in Taipei City, Taiwan, China, honors the Erie County Fair legend.

 

 

About the Erie County Fair – “National Birth of the Burger Day” is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society. Established in 1819, the Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization and 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. (www.ECFair.org)

 

HAMBURG, NEW YORK – 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 Sunday night. Final 2019 attendance is 1,238,456. This number represents a 3.3% increase from 2018 and makes 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).

 

 

Record breaking attendance numbers are just one of the benchmarks used to measure the success of the annual Fair. With 52,968 pounds of canned food items collected, the Fair’s Opening Day food drive to benefit FeedMore WNY was the largest one-day drive in the Fair’s history and ranks as Western New York’s largest food drive taking place during the summer. Other numbers include:

 

1,238,456 Total attendance of the 180^th Erie County Fair (New All-Time)

 

289,980.50 Combined gross sales of all Fair market animal auctions

 

52,968 Pounds of canned goods collected to benefit FeedMore WNY

 

17,000 Dollars raised by the National Independent Concessionaires  Association and given to four 4-H children during the youth steer auction

 

10,159 Number of competitive exhibits entries including 4-H entries

 

5,404 Number of scheduled volunteer hours by Friends of the Fair

 

3,035 Number of livestock at the Fair (excluding Horse Show & 4-H)

 

2,600 Pounds of meat from livestock auctions donated to FeedMore WNY from dollars raise by the National Independent Concessionaires Association

 

857 Miles traveled in 12 days by model trains in the Grange Bldg.

 

541 Number of free grounds act performances during 12 days of Fair

 

503 Menu items available at Fair

 

179 Number of Friends of the Fair Volunteers/Coordinators

 

167 Number of rides, games & concessions on the Strates Shows Midway

 

113 Number of local bands and community performance acts during the Fair

 

95 Number of years with the James E. Strates Shows

 

86 Members of the Erie County Fair Marching Band presented by Pepsi

 

72 Cooking demonstrations held inside the Fair’s Culinary Arts Center

 

12 The Best Days of Summer in Western New York State

 

Highlights of the 180^th Erie County Fair include sold out and recording breaking attendance for a number of concerts at the Gusto Grandstand, an expanded I-Hub Pavilion featuring STEM related activities and displays, new dairy, viticulture and maple sugar exhibits in the Agriculture Discovery Center and the return of the famous Sky Wheel to the midway.

 

During the first weekend of the Fair, the James E. Strates Shows announced that it had broken the all-time, single day gross revenue record at the Erie County Fair on Saturday, August 10^th. This single day milestone was just one day of a record-breaking carnival run as the Strates Shows celebrates its 95^th year providing the amusements at the Erie County Fair.

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society would like to thank Western New York for its continued support of the Erie County Fair.

 

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 181^th Erie County Fair will take place August 12-23, 2020. (www.ECFair.org)

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The James E. Strates Shows announced today that it has reached an all-time, single day gross revenue record at the Erie County Fair on Saturday, August 10^th. This single day milestone was just one day of a record-breaking opening weekend in Hamburg, New York as the Strates Shows celebrates its 95^th year providing the amusements at the Erie County Fair. Gross revenues for the Strates Shows midway are trending 25% over 2018 number.

 

“This past weekend we recorded three, all-time high ridership days. Since 1924, when my grandfather James E. Strates first brought his show to the Erie County Fair, the show has never had a three-day run like the one we just experienced.” said John Strates, Strates Shows Operations Manager. “To say we had the biggest day in our history during our 95^th year makes the milestone even more special.”

 

During the 180^th Erie County Fair, the Strates Shows “mile long” midway includes 67 rides and over 100 games & concessions. The show is highlighted by the return of the beloved “Sky Wheel” (double Ferris wheel) and the addition of several spectacular rides including the “Claw,” “Frisbee,” the “Avenger,” and the “Crazy Mouse” rollercoaster. These rides join traditional Strates amusements that include the “Big Wheel,” the two-story carousel and Huss manufactured “Pirate.”

 

In addition to new rides, the Strates Shows debuted a new “guest relations” booth located on the midway with the goal of increase customer service satisfaction.

 

The exclusive, 95-year relationship between the Erie County Fair and the Strates Shows is considered a historical milestone in the modern amusement industry as it is considered the longest continuous run of any carnival midway in the United States.

 

About the Strates Shows – The Strates Shows is a 96-year-old family owned business with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1923 by Greek immigrant James E. Strates as the Southern Tier Shows in Elmira, New York, the Strates Shows is considered one of America’s premiere providers of carnival midways. After the death of James E. Strates in 1959, his only son E. James Strates, took over as manager of the company and is still actively involved in its operation. Now in its 9th decade, the Strates Shows are led by the 3rd generation of Strates family members including Susan, Jimmy, Sibyl, Jay and John. Nick Strates, who officially joined the show full-time during the 2015 season, is the 4th generation of the Strates family to continue the tradition.   Over the decades, the Strates Shows has brought many innovations to the carnival industry, including cooperative promotions, a centralized ticket system, advance ticket sales, and, most recently, the FunCard electronic ticketing system that utilizes bar codes to control access to carnival rides on the midway.

 

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 2019 Erie County Fair concludes on August 18^th (www.ECFair.org).

 

 

 

 

 

The annual Erie County Fair 5K Run, presented by Good Health Saunas, returns to the Fairgrounds on Saturday August 10, 2019 with pistol start at 8:30am. This USA Track & Field (USATF) 3.1 mile route has been certified as the flattest route in Western New York. The start and finish lines are located on the famous “Hamburg Oval” racetrack inside the Gusto Grandstand. The route then proceeds through the picturesque Town and Village of Hamburg featuring a zero percent grade.

 

 

Pre-registration cost is $25 ($30 day of race) and includes preferred, onsite parking, two adult admission passes to the fair and a post-race picnic. The first 500 registrants will receive a commemorative t-shirt.  Registration is now available via www. ECFair.org. Pre-registered participants are encouraged to pick up their race packets on Thursday August 8^th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Made In America Store located at the McKinley Mall in Hamburg. Participants can still register the morning of the race with race day registration beginning at 7:00am.

 

 

All ages are welcome to participate in the 5K, however, no pets, skateboards, rollerblades or bicycles are allowed on the course. Water stations will be provided. Awards will be given to the top three males and females in each age division.

 

 

The proceeds from the event will benefit the Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund. Since 2000 the fund has made available over $250,000 in scholarships to students who are pursuing careers in agriculture as well as those who participate in other aspects of the Fair. Past recipients include marching band members, media/marketing interns, concessionaires, volunteers, and exhibitors.

 

 

The Erie County Fair 5K Run is presented by Good Health Saunas with additional support from Tops Friendly Markets, Bryant & Stratton College, Crunch Fitness, Made In America Stores, and Upstate Farms. The event is timed by Race Management Solutions. For more information on the Erie County Fair 5K, please call (716) 649-3900 or email hollys@ecfair.org.

 

 

Note to Hamburg residents: The running of Erie County Fair 5K will facilitate the short closing of Clark Street between McKinley and South Park Avenue on Saturday, August 10^th between 8:30am and 8:50am.

 

There are so many ways to save when attending the 180^th Erie County Fair. The Erie County Agricultural Society, sponsors of the fair, encourages everyone to take advantage of the deals and discounts from opening day Wednesday, August 7^th until the gates close on Sunday, August 18^th.

 

 

Regular daily gate admission is $12 for adult and $9 for seniors (60+). Gate hours are 12pm-10pm on Opening Day Wednesday August 7^th and 9am-10pm August 8^th – 18^th.

 

 

Here are the 10 BEST ways to save money at the Erie County Fair:

 

 

PLAN AHEAD AND SAVE AT THE GATE – The Erie County Fair has teamed up with Tops Friendly Markets to offer advance sale gate admission vouchers. The cost is $7 per adult, $5 per senior (60+). Purchase vouchers at Tops Friendly Markets now through August 6^th and redeem them at any Fair gate. Ask your cashier at checkout!

 

 

IT’S GREAT TO BE A KID! – Children 12 and under are ALWAYS free at the Fair!

 

 

FILL THE FOOD BANK & GET IN FREE OPENING DAY! – For the seventh year in a row, the Erie County Fair will partner with the FeedMore WNY (Food Bank of WNY) to help fill their warehouse with canned goods. Fairgoers will gain FREE admission to the Fair on Opening Day, Wednesday, August 7^th with the donation of TWO canned food items. Donations will be accepted at all Fair gates beginning at Noon.

 

 

AS SEEN ON TV – Our television partners give you a chance to save big during three special days at the Fair! While you’re at the Fair, stop by their displays to meet your favorite personalities and support partner charities.

WGRZ Channel 2 Day, Wednesday, August 7^th. $5 admission (Gates open at noon)

WKBW Channel 7 Day. Tuesday, August 13^th. $5 admission all day

WIVB Channel 4 Day, Thursday, August 15^th. $5 admission all day

 

 

YOU’VE GOT A TICKET TO RIDE – Take advantage of one price ride days and ride all day for one low price. Purchase a $25 weekday ride voucher (Monday-Friday) in advance at Tops Friendly Markets through August 6^th for a $5 savings. Ask your cashier at checkout. $40 weekend wristbands are available at the Fair only. You can also purchase a Strates Shows Fun Card with 70 ride credits for $23. This offer is available at ECFair.org until August 6^th.

 

 

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SERVE – All Firefighters and Auxiliary Members receive FREE admission with proper ID on Firefighters Day, Friday, August 9^th. Veterans, Active Military and Auxiliary Members receive FREE admission on August 11^th with proper ID.

 

 

GETTING TO THE FAIR EARLY ON WEEKDAYS PAYS OFF – Arrive before 11am on August 8^th & 9^th or between August 12^th, 14^th and 16^th and get into the Fair for only $7

 

 

STUDENTS GET SCHOOLED ON SAVINGS – Teens and young adults can meet their friends at the Fair. Students with proper school ID pay just $7 after 5pm every day.

 

 

COME HUNGRY – During the Taste of the Fair on Monday, August 12^th, over 100 vendors will be offering food items for just $2.00. This is the perfect opportunity to try that food you always wanted to. Other food discounts during the Fair include our $6 commemorative, souvenir mug featuring $3.00 refills all day at participating vendors. Buck-A-Roos, a concession stand near Kiddieland, features 10 items for $2 each. Unlike other major WNY attractions, concerts or sporting events, Fairgoers can bring in coolers with food and drink and, set up for the entire day at one of our many picnic areas (no alcohol or glass bottles please). Visit ECFair.org starting August 1^st to download 30 food coupons for Fair vendors as an extra bonus.

 

 

LISTEN TO THE FREE MUSIC – There is free, live entertainment all over the Fairgrounds! Join us for our THREE free Gusto Grandstand Concerts on Thursday, August 8^th featuring Foghat, Friday, August 9^th with The Petty Breakers and Thursday, August 15^th, with Diamond Rio. In addition, the Gusto Grandstand will feature FREE admission for the North American Drone Masters on Sunday, August 11^th and FreeStyleMX.com on Tuesday, August 13^th. All of these events are included with your gate admission.

 

Flaming Hot Cheetos Fries, Hot Candy Wings, Pierogi Poutine and Luv Puffs are among the new foods on this year’s lineup during the Best 12 Days of Summer.

 

 

On Wednesday, August 7^th, the gates of the 180^th Erie County Fair will officially open to welcome over 1 million hungry fairgoers. During the 12-days of the Fair, the Fairgrounds plays host to over 500 food items available at 125 food stands. This year’s bill-of-fare ranges from time-honored regional favorites to limited edition, deep fried novelty treats only found at the Fair.

 

 

New items have been added to the menu and are part of the Fair’s New Food Showdown. Fair food fans will again be able to vote for the “Best New Food at the Fair” in the Erie County Fair App. Voting will begin opening day August 7^th and continue thru August 13^th. The winner will be announced on Thursday, August 15^th. Past champions have included Mineo & Sapio’s Chorizo Ciabatta Sandwich (2015), Mark’s Pizza and Subs’ Deep-Fried Bologna Bites (2016), Babcia’s Pierogi’s Crab Stuffed Mushroom Pierogi (2017) and Apple Quesadilla by Jack’s Delicious Taco in a Bag (2018).

 

 

This year’s new fair foods will not disappoint Fairgoers with a sense of culinary adventure. Items in the New Food Showdown include:

 

• Bacon Cheeseburger Poutine by Poutine Gourmet
  • Fresh French fries covered in a brown Canadian gravy and melty cheese curds, topped with bacon and ground beef.
• Brisket Nachos by Dre’s Place BBQ
  • Brisket chopped and served on nacho chips, with cheese and our signature sauce drizzled on top (spice it up with jalapeno peppers).
• Buffalo Chicken Banana Peppers by Salvatore’s Pizza
  • A Buffalo match made in heaven! Banana peppers stuffed with buffalo style chicken filling.
• Chicken Feta Fries by Venus
  • Marinated chicken breast on top of a bed of steak cut fries, topped with feta cheese, garlic sauce, and Greek dressing.
• Hot Candy Wings by BW BBQ
  • A new twist on an old favorite! Chicken wings tossed in a hot candy sauce.
• Mac & Cheese Sundae by Mineo & Sapio
  • Elbow macaroni smothered in our four-cheese sauce with red and green peppers, caramelized onions, sausage “sprinkles,” topped with traditional red sauce and a meatball “cherry” on top.
• Pierogi Poutine with Shredded Pot Roast by Babcia’s Pierogi
  • Babcia’s potato cheddar pierogi topped with cheese curds, shredded Guinness pot roast and savory gravy to make the ultimate poutine.
• Potato Butts by Renaissance Lodge Curly Q’s
  • Deep fried potato slices garnished with your choice of cheese and bacon, sour cream and chive, or hot sauce.
• Soba Noodle Stir-Fry with Sweet Teriyaki Chicken by Wok on the Wild Side Foods
  • Wok-fried soba noodles with market fresh vegetables glazed in our signature sweet teriyaki sauce and served with sweet teriyaki chicken.
• The Flaming Hot Cheetos Fries by Big Kahuna’s
  • Hot, freshly made fries drizzled with cheddar cheese sauce and finished with Flaming Hot Cheetos to bring some heat to this original treat.

 

New for 2019, “Sweets & Treats” has been separated into its own “New Foods Showdown” category. Menu items include:

 

• Caramel Crack Fries by Big Kahuna’s
  • Crispy Fries covered with salted caramel and rolled cinnamon sugar, with whipped cream and fruity pebbles on top to complete this treat.
• Luv Puffs by Tropical Luv
  • A popular festival and street market dessert originating in Amsterdam. This treat resembles mini, fluffy pancakes. The batter is made fresh each day! Pancakes served with gourmet toppings like Nutella Crunch.
• Loganberry Funnel Cake Corn Dog by Chester’s Gators & Taters
  • A hot dog dipped in funnel cake batter, deep fried to perfection, drizzled with loganberry syrup and a dash of powdered sugar. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert all in one!

• Not Your Mother’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake by Cheesecake Guy
  • Two slices of peanut butter cheesecake sandwiched around a layer of loganberry jelly with a drizzle of peanut butter, more delicious jelly and a side of potato chips.
• Strawberry Mezza Luna by Salvatore’s Pizza
  • A classic calzone crust filled with strawberries and cream cheese… a sweet treat sure to please!
• Waffle Bombs by Waffle Bomb
  • Chocolate covered jumbo strawberries on a stick, dipped in Belgian waffle batter, deep fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

 

Along with the “fairgoer’s vote” for the best, new food of the Fair, a panel of guest judges will sample and vote on their favorites during our New Food Showdown Judging Show that will take place on Thursday, August 8^th at 11a. The panel will consist of culinary professionals from the Niagara Falls Niagara Culinary Institute, SUNY Erie’s Culinary Arts Program, Delaware North and Artisan Kitchens & Bath along with media judges including Business First’s Jim Fink, Spectrum News’s Alex Haight, WGRZ’s Kate Welshofer, WBEN’s Brian Mazurowski, WKBW’s Jeff Slawson, WIVB’s Dave Greber and 97 Rock’s Steve Tripi.

 

2019 marks the 4^th year of the Erie County Fair’s participation in the Independent Health Foundation’s Healthy Options program. Participating restaurants have signed on to offer a healthy menu item that has been approved by the Independent Health Foundation. We are proud to announce that each year the list of Healthy Options increases with menu items approved by dieticians. Highlights include:

 

 

• Avocado Double Chocolate Cookies by All About the Sugar
• Fresh Tomato, Pepper and Onion Salad by Chiavettas
• White Pizza on Wheat Dough by Pizza Amore
• Caprese Salad & a Spinach & Tomato Pie by Salvatore’s Pizza

 

 

Growing each year in popularity, the “Taste of the Fair” Food Festival will return on Monday, August 12^th.  Fair vendors will feature over 125 “taste” sized portions for only $2. A complete listing of items and locations will be available on the Fair’s website, mobile app and on menus located at Fair gates the day of the event.

 

 

Adult fairgoers will be able to wash down all their Fair food with one of three, limited edition beverages. Beers include a Light German Lager, voted the “Best of Show” winner during the Erie County Fair’s 2019 Home Brew Competition and the Erie County Fair American Pale Ale based on the 2015 championship recipe. In addition, the Inaugural Erie County Fair Cider with a recipe provided by home cider maker Jeffrey Clift of Buffalo, produced by Black Bird Cider Works will be available at the Fair’s beer gardens.

 

 

The Erie County Fair will partner with the FeedMore WNY (Food Bank & Meals On Wheels) to help fill their warehouse with canned goods. Fairgoers will gain FREE admission to the Fair on Opening Day, Wednesday, August 7^th with the donation of TWO canned food items. Donations will be accepted at all Fair gates beginning at Noon.

 

 

Following the conclusion of the 180^th Fair, on Wednesday, September 18^th, the Fair will celebrate “National Birth of the Burger Day.” The day has been set aside to commemorate the invention of the hamburger sandwich that took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.  During the Fair, Weidner’s BBQ located on the Avenue of Flags will feature their culinary tribute to the birth of America’s favorite sandwich with the “1885 Burger.”

 

 

For generations, the annual arrival of the James E. Strates Shows train has been a highly anticipated occasion for fairgoers and enthusiasts of Americana. The movement of the colorful freight train filled with wagons and amusement rides into the Village of Hamburg is a signal that opening day of the Erie County Fair is just a week away.

 

On Wednesday, July 31^st the Fair Train will arrive at the historic Erie Railroad Depot in Hamburg as the Strates Shows begins its 95^th season with the Erie County Fair. The depot is located at the corner of Union and Scott Streets (4 Scott Street). The train will arrive between 11:30a and Noon.

 

The train will begin the final leg of its journey to Hamburg using Buffalo Southern Railroad track. As the train arrives at the depot it will be greeted by the Erie County Fair Marching Band, Fair Bear, and Erie County Fair officials.

 

Prior to the train’s arrival, the public may receive a free, limited edition commemorative “Train Day 2019” button and a bag of Poppin’ Bob kettle corn (while supplies last).

 

The exclusive relationship between the Erie County Fair and the Strates Shows is considered a historical milestone in the modern amusement industry as it is considered the longest continuous run of any carnival midway in the United States.

 

To commemorate “Train Day 2019,” the United States Postal Service will feature a specially designed cancellation mark and two stamps that were recently issued on the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Post Office will be on site at the Hamburg Depot from 10a-2p selling these stamps as well as cancelling mail using an Erie County Fair Train Depot postmark (while supplies last).