Family Fun at the Fair – Summer 2021

Aug 10, 2021

The Erie County Fair is finally back this Summer!

The Erie County Fair has only been cancelled twice since it first opened in 1819. The first time it was canceled was in 1943 (during World War II)  in order to support the rationing of gasoline and other important goods. Last year marked the second cancellation due to the pandemic. That dark time in history was devastating for us all (especially to the people that go every year) because after being on lock down for so long, this event was definitely the sunshine during a storm. Moving on to this year, the fair is scheduled for August 11th- August 22 2021.

Please be aware of the changes that are being implemented this summer: 

  • Free Parking 
  • Adult tickets are $13.50 and Kids under 12 are FREE (A ticket still needs to be reserved online)!
  • August 11th 12:00 PM- 10:00 PM 
  • August 12th-22nd 11:00 AM- 10:00 PM
  • The staff will only be accepting those that buy the tickets online. This is not a permanent rule, it is only for 2021. View all of the TICKET OPTIONS that are offered for more information
  • Vaccinations are NOT mandatory.  Masks are required for individuals that are not vaccinated. As of now, the Erie County Fair is following the CDC direction. 
  • Free standing charging booths, sinks and hand sanitizer stations are scattered throughout the fairgrounds for your health and safety.

SPECIAL DAYS & EVENTS

  • 8/11/21 Flag Retreat Ceremony: Starting at 6:30 PM- Honor veterans & active military personnel during this event. 
  • 8/13/21 Firefighters Day:  Starting at 3:00 PM (NO PARADE THIS YEAR) 
  • 8/15/21 Veterans Day: They will have a 12:00 noon mass and they will begin the Veterans recognition program at 2:00 PM (NO PARADE THIS YEAR) 
  • 8/16/21 Taste of the Fair: Vendors will be selling a select food menu item for only $2.00! 

2021 Highlights & Must Sees for All Ages

Gary The Silent Clown: Starting at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM daily, Gary will be riding a unicycle, juggling, and much more at the Evan’s Bank Family Entertainment Complex.

Scott’s Crazy Magic Show: Check out the new production that uses neon, lasers, and other illusions to have your mind blown! Make sure to send the children to the front row for a chance to float and participate in the show. If that isn’t convincing enough there will also be a LIVE robot as the magician’s assistant! Scott’s Crazy Magic Show performs daily at 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM at the Avenue of Flags Stage

Hilby- The Skinny German Juggle Boy: Known for making everyone laugh, Hilby will be juggling, balancing acts that are insane, and so much more! TIP: The closer you sit to the front, the greater chance of being in the show!

Have some fun and check Hilby out daily at the Evans Bank Family Entertainment Complex at 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 8:30 PM.

Juggler


John Cassidy-The Bizarre Balloonologist: Watch the three time Guinness World Record holder create unique balloon art right in front of your eyes. As a Fair Favorite, John includes a huge portion of the audience in each of the shows. Catch John while you can because The Bizarre Balloonologist is only here until August 16th! The performances can be viewed on the Avenue of Flags Stage at 3:OO & 9:00 PM. You do not want to miss this! 

Safari Sam and Oscar The Awesome Ostrich: Keep your eyes open for an Ostrich on the loose! Okay Oscar is not on the loose as long as Safari Sam is there. Safari Sam and Oscar the Ostrich will be all over the fairgrounds so make sure you bring a camera and snacks!

Camel Kingdom: Don’t forget to stop by Gate 5 to see the only touring herd in the entire world. Get informed and entertained at the same time as view extremely rare camels. To be more specific, the Snow White Camels are so rare that there are less than 5,000. The spotted Dromedaries are even rarer with less than 1,000 left in the world. The show will also consist of bottle-fed babies which are definitely the cutest!

Nickel City Reptiles & Exotics featuring Jeff Musial: If you want to experience the best wildlife education and entertainment, then check out 42nd Street! You will get the chance to see the rare Clouded Leopard that is on the critically endangered species list.

Skyriver Butterflies: If you are not a fan of reptiles, magic, or the entertainment options mentioned above then I recommend stopping by the Avenue of Flags for the Butterfly Exhibit. You will be able to have these incredible creatures actually land on you so you can view their beauty up close. I think I spent well over an hour in the Butterfly Exhibit and I could’ve spent 5 more hours there. It is an experience of a lifetime in my opinion!

FireWorks: Don’t miss the traditional firework show! Every evening beginning at 9:30 PM, the Skylighters of WNY will be producing the outstanding firework show, weather permitting and will end at 9:40 PM. A 10 minute show that you will 100% enjoy.

FOOD

 As you may be familiar with, the fair hosts a New Food Showdown each year. If you are unfamiliar with the Showdown, I recommend checking this out if you are a foodie! The Showdown begins on August 12th-13th and the winner will be announced on August 14th.  This year they changed it up to a much easier process. There are now three categories: New Food, Healthy Option, and Sweets Treats. This simple change will make it a fair judgement between desserts, fried foods, and salads. They are too different to be compared and judged against one another. 

 DID YOU KNOW….?

 The Erie County Fair has an App that you can download and vote on the best New Food Showdown! Download it from your app store and follow the directions on your cell phone. The App is super helpful because not only does it offer the option to vote on the Showdown it also has: Custom Schedule Creator, Maps with Wayfinding, Food Finder, Competition Information, Exclusive Photo Filters, &  Much More!

 

 

Yancy’s Fancy Buffalo Wing Nachos with Chicken

The newest way to serve a Buffalo favorite; these cheesy Buffalo style nachos make Yancy’s Fancy Buffalo Wing Cheese as the star of the show, accompanied by mild cheddar cheese sauce and chicken on top of tortilla chips. Spice it up with jalapenos, salsa, and sour cream!

 

Grand Champion Sandwich

Get ready to get messy with this sandwich! Brisket, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, jalapeno, and pickles are smothered in BBQ sauce in between a soft bun..

 

Shrimp Souvlaki

Replace chicken with shrimp in this new twist on the class souvlaki. Grilled marinated shrimp is tossed in Greek dressing, placed in a pita and topped with homemade garlic sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese

Sunday Funday

Did you ever think sundaes could get better? Well, try adding cheesecake! A creamy maple cheesecake is topped with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, maple syrup and candied bacon, all on a warm freshly made waffle.

 

Try these coupons for sweet deals and discounts!