Erie County FAIRway

The Erie County Fair is recruiting teams to design and build miniature golf holes for the third year of the Erie County Fairway exhibit! The Erie County Fairway is a free, 18-hole mini golf exhibit and has become a popular staple on the grounds during the Fair. Due to regular weathering and heavy foot traffic, some holes will be replaced each year.

Who is Eligible to Participate?
Anyone! Individuals are welcome, along with teams comprised of classrooms/school groups, FFA/4H Clubs, businesses or simply a group of friends looking to get creative and support a beloved WNY tradition, the Best 12 Days of Summer! Each participating team will receive complimentary tickets to the 2026 Erie County Fair.

What We’re Looking for in Submissions

• Must be Agriculture- or Fair-themed
• Holes are family-friendly, but don’t be afraid to incorporate obstacles
• Creativity in theme and props
• Designed to be weather-proof and able to withstand heavy foot traffic for 1-2 years of the Fair

Benefits to Finalists Chosen

• Receive tickets to the 2026 Erie County Fair (1 ticket per team member)
• Name recognition/signage at your hole
• Shout out on Fair social media and website
• An opportunity to flex your creativity, design and building skills while having fun and contributing to WNY’s largest summertime event

• Submit application by midnight on March 13; application includes Team Name, Hole Theme & your design draft (drawings can be by hand or done digitally)
• Finalists selected and notified by March 20
• Signed contracts due by March 27
• Materials pick up from the Fairgrounds the week of March 30
• Completed holes dropped off to the Fairgrounds by July 27

Materials Provided

The Erie County Fair will provide a pre-assembled base for your mini golf hole, ready for you to add obstacles, decoration and props. We will provide the green turf, hole cup, starting tee pad and flag. In unique cases, we will provide the raw materials for you to design the base/layout. Note: the flag will be provided and installed by the Fair after drop-off.

Guidelines

• Materials will not be released until a signed contract is received
• If you revise your hole’s design, theme or layout significantly, please send an updated design
• Each hole must have an agricultural or Fair theme to it
• Each hole must be 4 ft wide and between 16-23 ft long, but does not need to be rectangular
• Each hole must have a border that sits at least 1 inch above turf (to keep balls in play)
• The design should be family friendly, but don't be afraid to add in obstacles!
• Your hole must be built to withstand the outdoor elements and hundreds of thousands of visitors. Use of paper-based materials, washable paints or glues are prohibited. We recommend using exterior paint, screws/nails, wooden or metal props.
• Props used to decorate your hole must be secured and cannot be easily removed by fairgoers
• Your final hole can be delivered in multiple pieces, but must be assembled by your team after delivery
• All holes become the property of the Erie County Agricultural Society

Questions? Reach out to community@ecfair.org or call 716-649-3900.