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Accessibility Guide

The Erie County Fair respects the need to accommodate its patrons with disabilities. Our intention is that everyone can enjoy the Fair. We have taken measures to address, and where possible, exceed the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Fair employs an ADA consultant who has assessed the grounds to ensure accessibility standards are maximized, employees and volunteers are trained, and need areas are addressed in advance of Opening Day. If you have questions regarding disability services, accessibility, and accommodations, please contact us.

Sensory Room
This space was created specifically to provide fairgoers a chance to escape to a sensory-friendly environment that looks to soothe and comfort a person who may be overwhelmed. Certain types of overstimulation that can occur at an event are loud noises, bright lights movement and a lot of people. This 16x19 room provides a chance to “get away” from all of the activity to calm down and is located in the lower-level of the security building. The Sensory Room will be open during regular operating hours of the fair, closing at 10:00pm daily.

The equipment and materials available in the Sensory Room were provided by our partners at Southtowns Audio, Shanor Electric Supplies; a division of NOCO and Mattress Firm.

Sensory Hours
In addition to the all new sensory room, there will be sensory hours on Tuesday, August 12th from 11:00am-2:00pm. We will create an environment designed with children and adults with autism or sensory processing disorders in mind. Our goal for those hours is to enable families who have a member, whether child or adult, with special needs to visit, explore and enjoy the Fair.

Service Animals
ONLY legitimate, trained service animals are allowed on the grounds. Therapy dogs, emotional support animals, comfort dogs and pets will not be permitted. Service animals in training are not permitted on the grounds; rare exceptions will be allowed.
Security are trained to address and identify those dogs that are not service animals. You will not be permitted onto the grounds with your ESA or pet dog. This policy is for the safety of our guests as well are your furry companion. Please do not bring your pet as you will be asked to remove them from the Fair and we do not want them to be sitting in a hot vehicle.
All animals (cattle, fowl, pigs, etc.) at the Fair are checked by a NYS Veterinarian when they arrive on the fairgrounds. Their living conditions are checked throughout the week to ensure that the animals are safe and treated properly.

Sensory Kits
Sensory kits are available at the Main Office, Grandstand, Security Office, and Friends of the Fair. For noise cancellation devices a driver’s license must be left. Ther Fair has a Sensory Room located under the Security office at the top of the Avenue of Flags. Within the Fair there are some spaces that may affect those with sensory challenges or deficits. This includes the Midway, motor events, and the nightly fireworks display (around 9:30pm).

Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
The Erie County Fair (herein referred to as The Fair) recognizes that some individuals will use Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) based on personal need due to their disability. The Fair respects the rights of individuals with disabilities and the devices utilized to be mobile. The Fair reserves the right to deny access based on the safety of patrons. This is based on capacity of the grounds, high volume pedestrian traffic to include children and confined spaces where patrons travel throughout.

1. Operators agree to provide personal assurance that the OPDMD is needed due to the Operator’s disability;

2. Written verification that the Operator has completed a training program so as to provide assurance that (s)he can safely operate the OPDMD;

3. Operator must sign a General Release holding The Fair harmless from injuries to Operator or others resulting from Operator’s use of OPDMD;

4. OPDMD cannot be operated faster than normal walking speed (2- 4 miles per hour);

5. OPDMD must strictly observe and adhere to applicable safety rules and regulations governing the operation and use of OPDMD as published by the manufacturer of the unit;

6. OPDMD operator will be allowed access to the golf cart routes The Fair adheres for its personnel. A map will be provided.

7. OPDMD will be stored in a location that does not obstruct egress

8. OPDMD operator must remain with the unit at all times. If Operator stops for any reason, such as to use a restroom or a refreshment, Operator must secure the OPDMD in a location that does not impair the free movement of other patrons;

9. Use of the OPDMD may be temporarily prohibited in any or all parts of The Fair during times of highest/peak congestion.

Accessible Parking
Parking; all lots have accessible parking with Gate 5 being the largest. 500 accessible parking spaces. The accessible parking permit must be displayed. Vehicles not displaying accessible tags will be towed. Accessible parking spaces are closest to the gates. All gates have accessible parking. Gate 5 is the recommended lot (250 accessible spaces). The Fair has exceeded the number of spaces mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Website
If you have any questions or suggestions on the accessibility of this website, ecfair.org, please contact marketing@ecfair.org

General Seating
Seating at events. All indoor and outdoor event seating will have accessible seating available which will be indicated by Accessible Seating signage.

Accessible Grandstand Seating
Accessible seating is available in the Grandstand for all concert and motor events.
For concerts, there is accessible seating in both the reserved and general admission sections.
For motor events, there is accessible seating in the general admission section located in the West grandstand.
Patrons with disabilities are allowed up to three companion seats.
All patrons in these sections will need an accessible ticket.
You MUST purchase an accessible seat if you are in need.
Fraudulent purchases will be addressed with removal.

Picnic Table Areas
All parks have accessible picnic tables labeled with the accessible symbol.

Deaf/HoH; ASL Interpreter Services
There will be an ASL interpreter on site Saturdays and Sundays during the Fair. Any needs for weekday interpreters must be requested two weeks in advance. The Fair will make every effort to address requests that are made closer to the event date. All videos feature captioning.

Interpreter Schedule

The interpreter is on the grounds both Saturdays and Sundays of the Fair and will be at the following shows:

Saturday August 9

1:30pm (30min) The Red Trouser Show – Circusland
3:00pm (15min) Swifty Swine Racing Pigs - Circusland
4:00pm (30min) Sea Lion Splash – Outside Showplace
6:30pm (30min) Disc-Connected K9s – Gate 5
7:30pm (30min) Fritzy Brothers “One Man” Circus – He does a street performance right outside of the Historical Building

Sunday August 10

1:30pm Veterans Service – Infield
3:30pm (30min) Disc-Connected K9s – Gate 5
4:30pm (30min) Hilby – Lake Shore Savings Bank Family Entertainment Complex
7:00pm (30min) Jonathan Burns, Magically Comedic Show – Cornerstone Avenue of Flags Stage

Saturday August 16

1:00pm (30min) Sea Lion Splash – Outside Showplace
3:00pm (15min) Swifty Swine Racing Pigs - Circusland
4:30pm (30min) Hilby – Family Entertainment Complex Stage
6:30pm (30min) The Red Trouser Show - Circusland

Sunday August 17

1:00pm (15min) Swifty Swine Racing Pigs - Circusland
2:30pm (30min) Ultimate Stunt Circus - Circusland
5:00pm (30min) Fritzy Brothers “One Man” Circus – He does a street performance right outside of the Historical Building
6:30pm (30min) Disc-Connected K9s – Gate 5

Emergency Planning
The Fair employs an emergency manager who is versed in response to persons with disabilities and access and functional needs. They work closely with the ADA Consultant to address needs in advance of an emergency.

Braille/Large Print Programs
A schedule of events for the day is offered in Braille and Large Print at all Guest Services on the grounds as well as the Friends of the Fair office. If a patron requires a Blind Escort, they can be requested preferably in advance.

Scooter/Wagons/Stroller/Wheelchair Rentals

Rentals
Guests who would like to rent a wheelchair, wagon, stroller or electric scooter may do so from Scootaround:
Reservations must be made at least a day prior to you coming to the Fair. Same day reservations are not available.
Credit card payment is required at the time of reservation, as is the day you plan on attending the Fair.

Rentals are distributed from locations at the Fair listed above through Scootaround Inc., not the Erie County Fair itself. Rentals are loaned on a first come, first served basis.

Walk up rentals are available but reservations can be made online here or over the phone at 1-888-441-7575, option 1.

If you have questions regarding the Fair- please call 716-649-3900, not the reservation number!

Locations at Fair
Gate 2 - off McKinley Pkwy or Quinby Dr, near the 4-H Youth Development Building
Gate 4 - off South Park Ave to the left of Hamburg Gaming
Gate 4a - located in the front lobby of the Event Center
Gate 5 - off Clark St
Pricing

Scooter* - $70 per day

Wheelchair - $25 per day

Double Stroller (walk up rental only) - $17 per day

Wagon (walk up rental only) - $17 per day

Stroller (walk up rental only) - $11 per day
Limited quantities of canopy rentals will be available onsite - First-come, first-served.

* Full rate required at time of reservation, if scooter rental is returned within 4 hours, a $25 credit will be issued.

There are a few sloped areas where transgression may be difficult for those with ambulation challenges or manual wheelchair users. Most notably, The Avenue of Flags (Gate 2) at the Security building and the Grandstand from center/Gate B entrance to Gate 1.

There is a wheelchair battery charger on site that is compatible with most power chairs.