First Time Festival Guide: Erie County Fair (Hamburg NY) – What to Expect, Tips & Must-Do Experiences – Ace Mindset Journey | Appalachian Travel, Festivals, Food & Faith

What Is the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, NY?

The Erie County Fair is the second largest County Fair in America.

Over 1.1 Million recorded in Attendance.

What to Expect at the Erie County Fair

Plan for a Full Day (It’s Huge)

Classic Fair Food, Unique Eats, and New Food Showdown at the Fair.

Carnival Rides & Midway

Agricultural Exhibits & 4-H Shows

Live Shows & Grandstand Events

Wake for Adventure

WV Adventures and Roadtrips: Seneca Rocks, WV

Back in April 2024, we were in Seneca Nation for a funeral service. After the service; we turned to a friend and said “Well.. This is it”. This could be our last trip to Western NY. We began talking about dogs, food, and finding a good deal. Our favorite things.

Then our friend says “You guys should come up for the Fair!”.

“The Erie County Fair is the second largest County Fair in the Country”

We bounced ideas, talked it over, and made plans. See y’all in August for a Pa-Jemma Party!

Have a Pa-Jemma Party, and a cup of Java!
Can Boston Terriers Hike?

Spring became Summer. The months became days. It’s time! Let’s go!

Prepare your Speech

Arriving in Hamburg, NY, about 4 hours North of Morgantown, WV. It’s a jaunt up I-79 for adventure!

The Greater Buffalo NY region feels like another world. Flat land, extreme Winter weather, and those accents!

A separate event from the record Snowfall in 2022; 80+ inches.

The Vowel Movement: How Americans near the Great Lakes are radically changing the sound of English

In almost every conversation; I was asked “Where are you from?”…

“We’re from West Virginia”

Followed up with a “I knew you had to be from South”.

Walk the walk.

Talk ‘da Talk

The Culture of Appalachia: Why do we speak the way we do?

**Communication is** **different with a Deaf Person**

Tawkin’ Suthern: How to Speak with a Southern Accent

On the flip side; if y’all drive a few hours South. It also feels like another world. Warmer weather, Magnolia trees, and these accents!

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Warm welcomes and hospitality are found all over the country. Great people are everywhere. The golden rule is no exception “up North”! Residents of Hamburg, NY are some of the friendliest folks! I mean, who doesn’t love Hamburgers?

Life is Fair:

Embrace the Change

Birth of a Hamburger

The Erie County Fair has been held annually since 1841. In 1885, the iconic American beef sandwich was accidentally invented here. Today, Hamburgers are found all over the country.

In 1970, with an attendance of 600,960; the Erie County Fair became the largest County Fair in the Country.

Today, in 2024; The Erie County Fair is the second largest County Fair in the Country. The 12 day event draws in over 1 million in attendance.

Highlights of the Fair Life

Festivities. Food. Fun.

Take a look at the festivities schedule of events. There’s shows and live entertainment every minute!

Erie County Fair Events

The hamburger was accidentally invented here long ago. Present Day; it’s a foodie paradise! I was looking forward to trying Candy Apple Pierogis. As well as Chiavetta’s BBQ Chicken.

New Food Showdown

Agricultural Barns, 4H Displays, Indian Village. Creative Arts. Expos and demonstrations. So much to see!

Erie County Fair Buildings and Attractions

Plan to spend at least eight hours here! There’s so much to see and do! A full day schedule with concerts and shows. From swine races to Motocross Circus.

Embark on a new food adventure for a Taste of the Fair!

Learn and discover new things! So many hands on displays at the expo buildings.

**Hamburg Sheriff Exhibit**
**Ready for extreme Winter weather!**

Everything you need to know before roadtripping to the Erie County Fair.

Is the Erie County Fair Fair good for kids? Yes! Don’t let the crowd size turn you away. There’s so much for kids to see and enjoy. Kids will enjoy rides, shows, and livestock exhibits. There’s ample security and “lost child” stations.

Is the Erie County Fair dog friendly? No. Service dogs are permitted.

Budget Friendly Tips:

Erie County Fair Rides

We we’re able to enjoy the entire day without ~~buying~~ a fun pass. Rides are on average 6 to 8 tickets per ride. The fun pass is $50 for 120 tickets. Which means; you can ride about 15 rides for $50. A family of four could ride about three or four rides together.

Milk is the cheapest way to hydrate at the Fair. As a chocolate Milk afficionado; Intense Milk gets 4.5 stars! It’s really good!

**Chocolate Milk Machine**
*The* *Budget Friendly Fair drink @* $2

The Fair is huge. Exactly 266 Acres of Fairgrounds to meander. Catch the shuttle and go see all the things!

**Take a FREE ride on the shuttle to get around the Fair!**

Parking: Parking is FREE! We arrived around noon. Ample security and traffic direction. We parked near Hamburg Gaming Casino; which made for a great starting point. End point, we made a “loop” and saw everything.

General Cost: Gate price is $22.60. You can buy tickets ahead at a discounted rate. Children 12 and under are FREE. I feel this is affordable to “Spend the Day”. It’s an ENTIRE day of festivities and fun!

I’d like to point out that the food is kinda expensive. Most foods were $10+; averaging $12 to $15. We enjoyed the heck out of a Black Raspberry Ice Cream cone for $9.

As for the carnival rides; I’d rather take the family spend the day at Kennywood or Cedar Point. It’s the real deal!

How to plan a low-cost trip to the Erie County Fair for your family

Atmosphere: My first impression was this; The Erie County Fair is basically the PA Farm Show mixed with like, 100 County Fairs assembled together. The farm show is one of my favorite events. And fairs are fun. It’s a FUN atmosphere!

Food/Ride lines: There were few lines for the food. The ride lines seemed longer. Yet, everything moved quickly.

Cleanliness: Absolutely the cleanest large event I’ve ever attended. Two attendants in every restroom. Trash bins emptied. Plenty of hand-wash stations.

Service of Staff: From parking, to ticketing, to security, to information booth volunteers. Even those restroom attendant ladies. Everyone is super friendly and ready to help!

Onward and Upward!

Make that trip! Go on an adventure!

The Mindful Journey: 13 TIPS for Mindfulness, Awareness, Productivity, and Living Intentionally. Tip #4

Take a break from the ordinary. Embrace the change. Life is valuable. Memories are priceless. Live fully and be fulfilled. Rise with the Sun; each day is a blessing. Make every day count! Some of those days will always be specially cherished.

Do unto others.

Be a good neighbor.

Slow down.

You are so loved ❤️