County Fair Guide

The Oldest County Fairs in New York

New York's fair tradition stretches back to 1820, when the Erie County Fair first opened in Hamburg — nearly two centuries of agricultural competition and community celebration. The Monroe County Fair followed three years later, and by the 1840s, New York had established several of the longest-running fairs in the northeastern United States.

  1. 1
    Erie County FairHamburg, New York
    Est. 1820August

    The Erie County Fair in Hamburg is one of the largest county fairs in the United States, drawing over a million visitors to Western New York for twelve days of spectacular entertainment, livestock, and fair fun. Dating to 1820, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

  2. 2
    Monroe County FairRochester, New York
    Est. 1823August

    The Monroe County Fair in Rochester celebrates the Flower City and the birthplace of Kodak — Rochester was home to George Eastman (Eastman Kodak), Frederick Douglass (who published The North Star here), Susan B. Dating to 1823, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Anthony (who was arrested here for voting), and the Erie Canal barge trade that made the city the "Young Lion of the West." The county's apple orchards and Lake Ontario fruit belt come together at a major Western New York fair.

  3. 3
    New York State FairSyracuse, New York
    Est. 1841August

    The New York State Fair in Syracuse is one of America's oldest and largest state fairs, drawing well over a million visitors to the Fairgrounds on the edge of the Finger Lakes for thirteen days of world-class entertainment, agriculture, and celebration. Dating to 1841, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

  4. 4
    Orange County FairMiddletown, New York
    Est. 1841July

    The Orange County Fair in Middletown is an eleven-day Hudson Valley event drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from the New York metro area for one of the region's most beloved summer traditions. Dating to 1841, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

  5. 5
    Dutchess County FairRhinebeck, New York
    Est. 1842August

    The Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck is one of the Northeast's premier county fairs, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Hudson Valley each August for six days of world-class agricultural competition and entertainment. Dating to 1842, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

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