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The first steps in the process to determine which homebrew and cider will be named the 2019 Erie County Fair Best In Show has been scheduled. Beginning today, Monday, April 1^st, homebrewers and hard cider makers from across New York State may submit their brews and ciders in the Fair’s Homebrew and Hard Cider Making Competitions. The annual summer release of the limited run, craft beer based on the winning brew has become an anticipated tradition at the Erie County Fair for beer lovers. 2019 is the first year for the Fair’s hard cider making competition.

 

 

Homebrew and cider hobbyists have until Friday, April 5^th to submit their bottles for judging. In addition to the opportunity to win a gold medal for excellence, both the Erie County Fair Homebrew and Hard Cider Competition top entries will be professionally produced and named the 2019 “Erie County Fair Best In Show Beer” and “Erie County Fair Best In Show Cider.”

 

 

A $20 entry fee allows homebrewers to submit up to five entries in categorical styles ranging from lagers and pilsners to a variety of ales. Cider makers can submit hard ciders in categorical styles that include modern cider, fruit cider, hop cider, spiced cider, wood-aged cider and an “anything goes” class. Any New York State resident is eligible to enter the competitions. Judging is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 27^th inside the Fair’s Ag-Grange Building. Top brews and ciders will be selected through a blind tasting panel.

 

 

Once “Best of Show” winners are determined, the competitors will be asked to submit the recipe which will then be turned over to Flying Bison Brewery and BlackBird Cider Works.  The recipes will be analyzed to ensure that it is commercially and legally producible. Once kegged, Try-It Distributing will distribute the finished products for public purchase at select Western New York outlets prior to the Fair. During the Erie County Fair, several on-premises locations will feature the award winning beer and cider.

 

 

Those interested in entering the competition can find complete rules and guidelines on the Erie County website (www.ECFair.org). Entries can be dropped off on Monday, April 1^st through Friday, April 5^th between 9am and 5pm (with a copy of the entry form) to the Main Office of the Fairgrounds. Entries can also be dropped off at Flying Bison Brewing Company on April 4^th or 5^th between the hours of 12pm and 8pm. Those dropping off brew entries at Flying Bison will be able to take home a filled growler of Flying Bison brew for $5. Cider entries can also be dropped off at the Buffalo Cider Hall located at 155 Chandler Street on April 4th or 5th between the hours of 4p and 10p.

 

 

The judging of beer and hard cider is just two of the competitions held annually by the Erie County Fair. In 2019, over 13,000 entries are expected to be received and judged by the Fair’s Competitive Exhibits Office. The wide range of ribbon winning categories include agriculture, conservation and creative arts, among others. Entry information for all other categories will be available online starting May 1st.

 

An ensemble lineup of legendary pop music superstars from the 60s & 70s return to the Erie County Fair’s Gusto Grandstand in 2019. The Happy Together Tour will take to the stage on Wednesday, August 14^th at 7:30pm. Tickets for this star packed show go on sale this Thursday, April 4^th at 10:00am.  This year’s lineup features The Turtles, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Buckinghams, The Classics IV and The Cowsills.

 

 

The Turtles had several Top 40 hits, including the sing-a-long “Happy Together”. Chuck Negron was the lead vocalist on Three Dog Night’s No. 1 smash “Joy to the World”. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap rose to fame with songs like “Woman, Woman” and “Young Girl”. The Buckinghams had five Top 40 hits in the US, including “Kind of a Drag” which peaked at No. 1 in 1967. The Classics IV (“Spooky”, “Traces”) and The Cowsills (“Hair”) will also perform.

 

 

The Turtles continue to be the signature headliners of the Happy Together Tour. As always, Mark Volman will bring his infamous antics to the stage along with the Archie’s Ron Dante (who will again be replacing Howard Kaylan). Together they will be performing all of the Turtles’ magical Top 40 Hits including “It Ain’t Me Babe,” “Elenore,” “She’d Rather Be With Me,” “You Showed Me”, and the title of the tour “Happy Together.”

 

 

Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, is back on the Happy Together Tour due to popular demand! He brings Three Dog Night’s biggest hits to the stage, including “Joy To The World,” “Mama Told Me Not To Come,” “Shambala,” “One”, “Easy To Be Hard” among others.

 

 

The Classics IV is the newest addition to the Happy Together lineup. With their southern soft rock sound, they are one of the most popular and influential pop groups of the 60s and 70s. They achieved phenomenal success with multiplatinum hits “Spooky,” “Stormy,” “Traces,” and Everyday With You Girl.”

 

 

The Buckinghams will be back on the tour for the first time in five years! The band formed in 1966, and went on to become one of the top selling acts of 1967, including their #1 hit “Kind of a Drag,” and other hits “Don’t You Care,” ”Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song” With 3 chart hits at one time on 2 labels, in 1967, Billboard Magazine named them “The Most Listened to Band in America.”

 

 

The Cowsills have been dazzling crowds the last four years on the Happy Together Tour with their effervescent brand of contagious pop magic. Bob, Paul and Susan Cowsill are a family singing group and the original inspiration for television’s, The Partridge Family. Best known for songs “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” “Hair,” “Indian Lake” and “Love American Style.” The Cowsills appeared on numerous TV shows including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

 

 

Tickets for the Happy Together Tour will go on sale Thursday, April 4^th 10:00am. Preferred track seats at $35, reserved track seats at $30 and general admission tickets are $25. Tickets may be purchased online via Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the show.

 

 

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).

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society is proud to announce that Kane Brown has been added to the 2019 Gusto Grandstand lineup at the 180^th Erie County Fair. Brown will take to the stage on Monday, August 12^th, 2019 at 8pm.  General admission tickets will be priced at $55; reserved seats $75/$90 and go on sale to the general public Thursday, March 28^th at 10am.

 

“We are excited to feature an evening with Kane Brown as part of the Erie County Fair’s Gusto Grandstand lineup,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg. “What Brown has accomplished in the music industry in such a short period of time is absolutely amazing. We are anticipating that this concert will be one of the biggest Grandstand events in recent years.”

 

As one of country music’s most compelling rising stars, Brown’s latest album, Experiment, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart during the fall of 2018. With that honor, Brown joined Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean as the only country artists to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The singer is also the first male country artist to debut at the top with a sophomore release in 24 years. The last artist to equal that feat was Tim McGraw in 1994.

 

In 2018, Brown earned his first ACM award nomination as New Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as a CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year nod for “Used to Love You Sober.”  The Georgia native ended a successful 2018 with the reveal of a new single called “Good As You.”  The song was the second single off “Experiment,” and follows the previous No. 1 hit, “Lose It.” Brown picked up Favorite Male Artist — Country, Favorite Song — Country and Favorite Album — Country at the 2018 American Music Awards — all three of the categories in which he was nominated. His trio of wins make Brown, per CMT, the country artist to win the most AMAs in a single night without having won one previously.

 

The Academy of Country Music has nominated Brown’s latest hit, “Heaven,” for 2019 Song of the Year. Brown is also scheduled to perform on the national televised award show that will air on Sunday, April 7^th.

 

Tickets for Kane Brown will go on sale to the general public at 10a, Thursday, March 28^th at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00a-4:30p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.

 

The Erie County Fair has chosen a fun, creative word to describe the “Best 12 Days of Summer” in Western New York. “Summerific” has been announced as part of the launch of the Fair’s 2019 branding initiative.

 

The 2019 campaign will embody the dynamic, textured, fun-filled atmosphere that is uniquely the Erie County Fair. The illustration style combines happy, brightly colored objects, shapes and typography. The design bubbles over with joy and anticipation. The experience is colorful, connected and one-of-a-kind. An experience so big, so amazing, so incredibly fun, that it’s – Summerific!

 

“It’s the feeling you have when the weather is warm, the days are long and the summer just can’t get any better,” said Erie County Fair CEO Jessica Underberg. “It’s a place where the food tastes amazing, the music makes you dance, and everyone has a smile. It’s the lights, the excitement, the thrills and the heartbeats. Celebrating tradition with unexpected discovery and creating new memories for every age. It’s a place where wide-eyed wonder abounds. From animals and antics – from fireworks to friends.”

 

To further describe Summerific, it’s twelve jammed-packed days where you find everything you love about summer in one fantastic place. It’s Summerific. It’s the Erie County Fair.

 

The Erie County Fair partnered with Buffalo’s Wynne Creative Group, a nationally recognized marketing and branding firm, to develop the 2019 branding campaign. Wynne Creative Group has served the Erie County Fair since 2003. Wynne Creative Group specializes in design, brand development and advertising. In 2018, Erie County Fair was recognized internationally with the “Best Overall Marketing Campaign in North America” award by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

 

The 180th Erie County Fair will be held August 7th – 18th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org)

The Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS) is pleased to present up to $20,000 in scholarship opportunities to students who participate in the Erie County Fair. Scholarships are awarded based on general Fair participation and those involved in agricultural related activities. Since its inception in the 1950s, the scholarship program’s goal has been to connect the region’s students with agriculture, business, and volunteerism. Two scholarship categories are available:

 

The Erie County Fair Scholarships seeks students who are enrolled or enrolling in a college or university. These students must have participated in the Erie County Fair in some capacity in order to be eligible. Participation includes, but is not limited to, employment, exhibition, volunteering, marching band, or other performances.

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship is limited to students who are pursuing an agriculture related career. Students must be enrolled or enrolling in a college or university and must be able to describe how their field of study will help them in their agricultural endeavors. Applicants must show participation in the Erie County Fair or Erie County Agricultural Society sponsored activities.

 

Eligible applicants do not have to attend a college in Erie County or be residents of New York State.

 

The 2019 scholarship applications are available online  https://www.ecfair.org/p/other/scholarships or at area high schools and colleges. The application postmark deadline is April 12, 2019. Questions regarding the scholarship program should be directed to the Erie County Agricultural Society’s Maria Lucero at 716-649-3900 ext. 6413.

 

The growth of Western New York’s home cider industry, along with continued consumer acceptance of the adult beverage, has prompted the Erie County Fair to add a home hard cider competition to its Competitive Exhibits program. Beginning Monday April 1^st and continuing until Friday, April 5^th, cider making hobbyists will have the opportunity to submit their hard cider for judging. Once named the 2019 “Erie County Fair Best In Show Cider,” the winning home hard cider will receive a gold medal for excelling and then be professionally reproduced by BlackBird Cider Works for sale during the Fair.

 

“Hard cider has become a tasty, gluten free beverage option for many who are looking for an alternative to beer,” said Paula Smith, Manager of Competitive Exhibits. “The Erie County Fair is proud to partner with Barker, New York’s BlackBird Cider Works to increase the visibility of cider in the region and to honor the region’s talented home cider makers.”

 

A $20 entry fee allows home cider makers to submit hard ciders in categorical styles that include modern cider, fruit cider, hop cider, spiced cider, wood-aged cider and an “anything goes” class. Any New York State resident is eligible to enter the competition. Judging is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 27^th inside the Fair’s Ag-Grange Building. Top ciders will be selected through a blind tasting panel made up of two, cider industry knowledgeable, judges.

 

Home hard cider makers interested in entering the competition can find complete rules and guidelines on the Erie County Fair’s website at https://bit.ly/2tWfURm. Entries can be dropped off on Monday, April 1^st through Friday, April 5^th between 9am and 5pm (with a copy of the entry form) to the Main Office of the Fairgrounds OR the Buffalo Cider Hall located at 155 Chandler Street on April 4^th or 5^th between the hours of 4p and 10p.

 

The judging of hard cider is just one of the competitions held annually by the Erie County Fair. In 2019, over 13,000 entries are expected to be received and judged by the Fair’s Competitive Exhibits Office. The wide range of ribbon winning categories include agriculture, conservation and creative arts, among others. Entry information for all other categories will be available online starting May 1st.

 

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).

 

About BlackBird Cider Works

Producer of award-winning hard ciders sourced from Western New York grown apples. Founded in 2006 by Scott Donovan after the purchase of a commercial apple orchard in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County, New York. In 2011 the first production run of cider was completed with the opening of the BlackBird Cider Works tasting room in March of 2012.  BlackBird Cider Works is distributed in seven states in locally by Try-It Distributing. In 2018 Donovan opened the Buffalo Cider Hall located on Chandler Street in the historic Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo. (www.blackbirdciders.com)

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Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians, will bring his “Beyond The Fluffy World Tour” to the 180^th Erie County Fair’s Gusto Grandstand on Saturday, August 10^th, 2019 at 8pm.  General admission tickets at $28; reserved seats will be $55/$40.

 

Performing to sold-out venues around the world, Iglesias was recently featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 40 Comedy Players of 2018 issue alongside comedy giants Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Lorne Michaels. California native Iglesias honed his comedic skills in biker bars and dives before becoming one of the most popular comics in the U.S. Unlike many in the stand-up world, Iglesias’ globally appealing comedy stays mostly clean and his non-controversial material appeals to audiences of all ages and walks of life. Gabriel’s stand-up comedy is a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring his personal experiences to life. He is also one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with over 380,000,000 views and has over 14 million followers across social media.

 

Tickets for Gabriel Iglesias will go on sale to the general public at 10a, Thursday, March 7^th at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00a-4:00p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.

 

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http://smarturl.it/ECFair_Fluffy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a creative idea that’s worth sharing? Is there a concept you’re dying to explore with our community? Can you share what you know in a format that educates and entertains? If so, the Erie County Fair would love for you to join its series of “I-Talks.” Based on the popular TEDx platform of sharing remarkable ideas, the speaker series will be part of the Fair’s expanded “I-Hub at the Fair” pavilion. “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 12-day run of the 2019 Erie County Fair, speakers will be given the platform to deliver big ideas on a variety of topics based on the I-Hub’s central theme of “innovation, imagination & ingenuity.” Per the traditional TEDx rules, presenters will be allowed 18 minutes to speak.

 

From now through June 1^st, those interested can apply online by visiting www.ecfair.org/p/entertainment/i-hub-at-the-fair/i-hub-talk-application.

 

Presenters and presentations will be chosen based on how well they fit the vision of the I-Hub and the variety of the presentations for the day.

 

On March 16^th the Erie County Agricultural Society will conduct a “Maple Extravaganza Tour” providing a behind the scenes look at Western New York’s vibrant maple syrup industry. The four-hour tour, open to all ages, costs $20 per person and includes bus transportation to two local maple farms, a homecooked pancake breakfast, guided tours of two sugar bushes and a maple cream “make & take” activity.

 

 

The “Maple Extravaganza Tour” takes place before the start of the region’s popular Maple Weekend produced by the New York State Maple Producers Association.  At the Wendel and Ploetz Maple Syrup farms tour, goers will experience the sugar making processes from the tapping of trees to the boiling and finishing processes. Family traditions will be shared that will provide a greater understanding on what it takes area farmers to bring pure maple syrup to market.

 

 

The tour is part of the Society’s ongoing Adult Ag-cation program that promotes a greater understanding of the region’s agricultural resources and provides instruction on how to use agriculture in everyday life. For more information and to register please visit https://www.ecfair.org/p/entertainment/adult-ag-ucation

 

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)