By Oliver Clarke The Erie County Fair has a little something for everyone. It opens at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 8th, and runs until August 19th at 5600 McKinley parkway in Hamburg. On the first day, you can even enter free with a canned food donation for the Food Bank of WNY, and listen to the B...

By Oliver Clarke

The Erie County Fair has a little something for everyone. It opens at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 8th, and runs until August 19th at 5600 McKinley parkway in Hamburg. On the first day, you can even enter free with a canned food donation for the Food Bank of WNY, and listen to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for free at the Buffalo.com Grandstand as part of the National Grid Concert Series!

For the kids, there’s a petting zoo located in “Kiddieland,” as well as camel and pony rides, and performances at the Family Entertainment Complex. For those who want to learn about other cultures, the Nya-Weh Indian Village is a good way to sample food and watch traditional Native American dances. From 10am-6pm at Baker Park is “Little Hands on the Farm,” where children ages 2-10 can participate in “farm chores” and get a snack for their work.

For adults, there are place such as the Carousel Beer Garden and the 42nd Street Café where it is possible to drink in the shade and socialize with fellow fair visiting patrons. In addition to the aforementioned National Grid Concert Series, there is the Slade Park Music Series with a variety of bands and music groups. The Urban Farming Trail can teach you about farming and gardening techniques that you can use at home to grow your own plants and collect your own water. Near Craft Village, there are “Exit Rooms,” similar to escape rooms where you solve puzzles and challenges to find your way out of a locked room within 15 minutes! Choose either the Military Disarmament Room or the Salem Witch themed room and compete with or against your friends.

There’s also plenty of fun for all ages to participate in together! The James E Strates Midway is open every day during the Erie County Fair from 11am-11pm, with rides, games, sideshows, concessions, and shopping. As you walk around the fair, there are strolling acts such as fire jugglers for you to stop and admire.

In summary, even if you are entirely uninterested in all the competitions, there is still plenty to see and do at the Erie County Fair, certainly more than what was expanded upon here. So take your friends and family, and enjoy a day of fun at the fair!