Dear Fairgoers,

Thank you for making the 185th Erie County Fair such a success!

It fills me with enormous pride to see our community come together each August to explore our grounds, connect with agriculture and create lasting memories with family and friends. On behalf of our entire team, I extend a heartfelt thank you for your loyalty, enthusiasm, and continued support.

As I reflect on this year’s Fair, I am proud to share that it was another safe event, with the number of incident reports consistent with recent years (even during periods of intense heat). Safety remains our highest priority as an organization.

I’m proud to share that fairgoers reported higher satisfaction in this year’s survey, and with the average visit falling between five and six hours, the Fair is truly a full day of fun. The survey results told us that our guests were pleased with the food selections, agriculture exhibits, and the more than 60 daily performances included in gate admission. This year’s lineup included eight new one-of-a-kind walk-around and community stage acts, the all-new Monster Truck Smash, and new special events such as Fair Bear’s Dance Parties and the Tater Tot Showdown at the newly renovated Cornerstone Avenue of Flags stage.

The Fair’s mission came to life in many exciting ways this year. The Youth Livestock Auctions raised $426,656, nearly a 6% increase over last year, and our scholarship program grew by 45%, awarding $105,000 to 26 deserving students. New programs such as Kids Cultivate gave young innovators the chance to pitch agriculture ideas. Farm2Table @ the Fair provided free field trip programming to 463 Buffalo Public School students and the all-new ECF Tater Truck provided a unique learning experience for thousands of fairgoers.

Our tradition of community impact was also stronger than ever. The Opening Day Food Drive set a new record with 164,384 pounds of food donated to FeedMore WNY. The WNY Woodturners raised an incredible $59,236 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a 26% increase over last year. Media partners also joined in raising funds for local organizations, totaling $35,754 with proceeds going to Kids Escaping Drugs, Variety Kids, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Prevention Focus.

I invite you to review our newly released 2025 Impact Report below to see all the amazing impact that stemmed from the Best 12 Days of Summer.

Each of these milestones were achieved because of you. Thank you for being part of the tradition, the spirit, and the impact of the Erie County Fair.

Mark your calendars now! The 186th Erie County Fair will return August 12 to 23, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back—and we hope to see you before then at one of our year-round events on the Fairgrounds.

With gratitude,

Jessica Underberg, CFE
CEO & Fair Manager
Erie County Agricultural Society

About the Erie County Agricultural Society

The Erie County Fair is produced by the Erie County Agricultural Society, a private, not-for-profit membership organization established in 1819. It is recognized as the oldest civic institution in Western New York. The Society’s mission is to connect communities through agriculture, education, and entertainment.

Dear Fairgoers,
Thank you for another great year!

The 184th Erie County Fair served up our best iteration of “The Best 12 Days of Summer” yet. A huge “thank you” to everyone who helped make it a tremendous success and one of Western New York’s most anticipated and unique events.

Let me introduce this year’s Fair Impact Report by noting that you will not find attendance information in the report. Last year I hinted that there would come a time when we would no longer publish that number. That time is now, and we ask that you please respect this decision, which was made for a simple yet important reason: The Erie County Fair is a source of immense pride for everyone involved in the agricultural fair industry, which, like many industries, is evolving. And so, we have decided to evolve with it, putting more emphasis on our proud agricultural roots and community impact and less on a single attendance number as a barometer of our efforts.

This year’s increased focus on the Erie County Agricultural Society’s mission of agriculture and education brought more interactive exhibits, educational presentations, and unforgettable livestock shows to the Fair than ever before, giving visitors opportunities to meet, interact with, and thank the local farmers and exhibitors who keep our region’s agricultural traditions alive and put food on our tables.

I encourage you to consider a few of these lesser known “numbers” that reinforce our belief that there’s so much more to our Fair than an attendance statistic.
• Our hardworking youth exhibitors sold an astounding $400,000+ at the market animal auction that goes directly back to them to invest in their future livestock projects.
• We donated 153,125 pounds of canned goods, 2,567 pounds of locally raised meat and 498 pounds of locally grown produce to FeedMore WNY.
$154,221 in cash premiums were awarded to livestock and competitive exhibitors.
• $72,000 in college scholarships were awarded to 18 local students for participation in the Erie County Fair or Erie County Agricultural Society-related programs.
• Nearly $50,000 was raised by the WNY WoodTurners for Make-A-Wish.
(More of the Fair’s impact can be found in the Infographic found later in this report.)
I also want to shed light on some common questions we have received recently.

Q: How did the Fair go this year?

A: This one’s easy—fantastic! As one of Western New York’s largest events, safety is our top priority, and I’m thrilled to share that it was one of our safest Fairs to date. Even more satisfying is the growing positive impact our event had on the community, as noted above. Fairgoers should take great pride in their contributions to both the WNY community and the agriculture industry nationwide. Thank you for your continued support.

Q: Does the Fair make millions in profit?

A: No. While The Fair may generate millions in revenue, we also spend millions on expenses like insurance, entertainment, security, technology, waste management, advertising, awards, judges, signage, traffic barriers, equipment, and supplies, to name a few.
While we’re on the topic of money, I also want to dispel the common misconception that taxpayers pay for the Fair. In fact, the Erie County Fair is produced by the Erie County Agricultural Society, a private not-for-profit membership organization. We are not in any way part of a state or county government and do not receive major funding from either. We receive $12,000 for premiums (cash prizes) for exhibitors, the same as every other fair in NYS. This is 7% of what we pay out to our competitors.

Q: What trends emerged from the recent fairgoer survey?

A: Thank you to the nearly 7,000 fairgoers who responded to the survey. Here are some notable trends:
• The #1 reason to come: FOOD! With 588 menu items offered this year, there was no shortage of choices, making food (again) the #1 reason to come to the Fair (followed by animals and shopping) based on survey data.
• Fairgoers are increasingly “making a day of it.” Fairgoers again spent an average of 5-6 hours per visit, consistent with 2023 data and a big leap from 2022’s 3–4-hour average. The Fair undoubtedly provides a full day of fun for guests, with no additional cost to enjoy entertainment, demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and animals. A bonus is that guests can bring their own food and drink into the venue, with ample picnic sites around the grounds offering shade, solace, and seating, in which we continue to invest each year.
• Fairgoers want to use their time wisely—and don’t want to get lost. Requests for “more wayfinding signage,” “info on what’s in the barns,” and “more details in the daily schedules” already have us thinking about new ways to bring this information to guests in an effort to meet them where they are.
• Variety is the spice of life. Some fairgoers expressed a desire for more variety in terms of food, shopping, and entertainment. We hear you and are committed to bringing that to you in 2025. We already are brainstorming ideas for next August!
• Gate prices were on a lot of fairgoers’ minds. We understand and appreciate the feedback we got related to this year’s gate price. We are continually looking for more ways to deliver both savings and value to the hard-earned dollars you spend on a ticket to the Fair.

Q: What are you most proud of from the 2024 Fair?

A: In addition to the community impact and safety measures I noted earlier, my top takeaways from this year’s “Best 12 Days of Summer” are:
• Our connection to agriculture grew stronger. Our mission is rooted in agriculture. When I reflect on the 2024 Fair, I know that we built more connections between fairgoers and agriculture through new programming and exhibits like Dairy with Barry, Fair Bear’s Farmland, and the Celebrity Classic. It always brings a smile to my face to witness fairgoers interacting with local farmers throughout the barns... that is our roots.
• The Fair’s contributions to the local economy are noteworthy. Did you know that the Fair employs nearly 600 community members in administration, maintenance, livestock, security, gates, competitive exhibits, and building staff? And this figure does not include additional staff working in concessions, midway, or cleaning hired by our partners. This is a testament to the Fair's role in providing valuable job opportunities and supporting our community's economic vitality.
• We are willing to challenge the status quo. Balancing new ideas with valuable traditions is important to the Erie County Fair and can be challenging. I was thrilled with the new ideas and programs our team debuted this year, including Share Your Fair Gate Discount Day and Fairtacular Shopper’s Day; Dairy with Barry and the Celebrity Classic; Fair Bear’s Farmland, FAIRway Mini Golf and Touch-a-Truck; and the new military enlistment ceremony added to Veterans Day. The list could go on and on!
• We know how important accessibility and security are and we are committed to improving both. This year we made significant accessibility improvements to Nya:Weh Village, with concrete paths and a new, permanent building for the Village’s learning center. We also installed weapons detection systems at all gates, tested Reverse ATMs and added more self-service kiosks to cut down on time Fairgoers spent in line. As always, we have plans to continue improving accessibility and security (and technology) on the grounds each year.
• Our performers and programs truly are one of a kind. I’m confident that many things you find at the Erie County Fair cannot be found anywhere else in the region. Entertainers like Hilby the German Juggle Boy, Ultimate Stunt Circus, and Mighty Mike; agricultural programming like the Moo-Ternity Ward, Horse Headquarters, Little Hands on the Farm, and access to thousands of animals across our barns; and areas like the Firemen’s Building, the Heritage Museum, the 4-H Youth Development Building, the Historical Building, the Ag-Grange Building, the Creative Arts Building, and our community stages are just some of the unique experiences you’ll have at the fairgrounds, which adds up to a lot of value for your ticket.

Thank you again for supporting this year’s Erie County Fair and for your thoughtful feedback and ideas. Planning already is underway for the 185th edition of the Fair, which will be held August 6-17, 2025.

Here’s to the next “The Best 12 Days of Summer!”

Jessica Underberg, CFE
CEO & Fair Manager
Erie County Agricultural Society, producers of the Erie County Fair

To Erie County Fair fans,
Happy Spring! We are just over 100 days away from the Best 12 Days of Summer. To help you plan, I want to take a moment to share this year’s pricing and address some related questions.

Q: First, who puts on the Erie County Fair?

A: We are not affiliated with a government agency and do not receive major funding from New York State or Erie County. One of the most common misconceptions is that we are part of a government agency. The Erie County Fair is produced (i.e., planned, operated, hosted) by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), a private not-for-profit membership organization located on the Hamburg Fairgrounds.

ECAS has been around since 1819 and is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. We currently have 452 members and 50 year-round employees. The purpose of ECAS is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Erie County Fair promotes and showcases our community's agricultural traditions, talents, diversity and heritage.

Q: What is gate admission pricing for the 2024 Erie County Fair?

A: This year we will offer a discounted advance sale in July. Plan ahead so that you can save!
• July advance sale pricing: $17 ($15.04 + $1.96 in fees). Pricing available online-only.
• August pricing: $22.60 ($20.00 + $2.60 in fees). Pricing will be available online August 1-18 and at the gate during the Fair, August 7-18. Credit/debit card only.
• Plus, we’re offering an all-new gate discount day this year. On August 14th, admission will be two tickets for $30 (including fees), which is $15.20 in savings! Pricing will be available online and at the gate only on August 14th.
• As usual, kids 12 and under receive free admission every day of the Fair (no ticket necessary).
• Like last year, we will be credit/debit card only at the gate. Why? For the protection of our staff and due to the logistical challenges of managing cash. New in 2024, we will offer reverse ATMs for individuals who do not have a credit/debit card readily available. Fairgoers can bring cash to the reverse ATM and receive a card to use at the gate and throughout the grounds.
• See our guide below to refer to all of the great ways you can save at the 2024 Fair!

Q: How do you come up with the admission price for the Fair?

A: I’m sure like myself, you’re experiencing rising costs in your everyday life. The reality is that this impacts businesses and organizations like ECAS, too. Our security costs, labor costs and entertainment costs are all rising, and the list goes on. For example, our mandatory business insurance costs rose 22.9% year over year. In order to continue providing a high-quality Fair, we must cover our expenses and maintain an admission price that allows for that. Remember, we only have twelve days to cover our expenses.

Now, let’s talk fees. In 2023, the cost you saw online at checkout was an even $17. This total cost included fees, but the fees were not explicitly broken out in your cart. Recent legislation in New York State requires organizations to show the fee breakdown prior to checkout. This is great news... it means more transparency for the consumer! It allowed us to take another look at our website checkout process. You will now see the breakdown of ticket cost + merchant service provider fees prior to purchase. For example in July, you will see a breakdown of $15.04 + $1.96 for one gate admission ticket.

Q: What are ride prices on the Strates Midway this year?

A: Like us, Strates will offer discounted prices in July through an advance sale. Again, we recommend you plan ahead and save!

July advance sale
• Weekday One Price Ride Day wristbands (ride all day for one price): $35 ($33 + $2 in fees). Pricing available online-only. Ride wristbands are valid Monday-Friday and cannot be shared.
• Fun Cards: $50 ($48 + $2 in fees) for 120 ride credits. Pricing available online-only. Fun cards are valid any day of the week and can be shared and reloaded.

August sale
• Weekday One Price Ride Day wristbands (ride all day for one price): $37 ($35 + $2 in fees). Pricing will be available online and at the Strates ticket booths. Ride wristbands are valid Monday-Friday.
• Fun Cards: $52 ($50 + $2 in fees) for 120 ride credits. Pricing will be available online and at the Strates ticket booths. Fun cards are valid any day of the week, can be shared and reloaded.

• Plus, Strates is offering an all-new ride discount day this year. On August 15th, ride wristbands will be offered at two wristbands for $50 (including fees), which is $20 in savings! This pricing will only be available online and at Strates ticket booths on August 15th and are only valid that day.

• Also new in 2024, Fair admission and weekday One Price Ride Day wristbands/Fun Cards can be purchased in one single transaction on the ECFair.org website. Just one checkout means more convenience for you!

Q: What is the ECAS and Erie County Fair team focused on in 2024?

A: There are three priorities I always keep at the forefront of Fair planning: safety, quality, and cleanliness.

At the 2024 Erie County Fair, you can expect to see increased security measures, more free quality entertainment and of course, some of the cleanest grounds in the country. Earlier this year we announced the Erie County FAIRway. This mini-golf exhibit will be free to fairgoers, and we are thrilled that each hole will be uniquely designed and built by local community groups.

There are a few more new exhibits and entertainment acts coming to the 2024 Fair, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to follow us on social media for announcements! In total, we offer over 400 free entertainment acts during the Fair. There is truly something for everyone at the Erie County Fair. In our 2023 survey, we learned that fairgoers are spending 5-6 hours at the Fair, up from 3-4 hours on average in prior years. It’s clear that the Fair is a full day of fun for many of our visitors.


Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you for the Best 12 Days of Summer!

Jessica Underberg, CFE
CEO & Fair Manager
Erie County Agricultural Society, producers of the Erie County Fair

To Erie County Fair fans,
I hope you are enjoying the final bits of summer! I want to take some time to address common questions and misconceptions regarding the Erie County Fair as we reflect on the 2023 event. I hope you find this piece to be honest, insightful and even inspiring. Let’s dig in!

Q: Do you consider the 2023 Fair a success?

A: YES! (I’m smiling as I type this)

When putting on WNY’s largest event, safety is a top priority. I’m grateful to report this year’s Fair had one of our lowest incidence reports to-date. Our security and emergency management divisions deserve immense recognition for their dedication to fairgoer safety.

Another top priority of ours is the fairgoer experience. This year, fairgoers spent more time at the Fair. On average, Fairgoers spent 5-6 hours at the Fair, up from 3-4 hours last year. It’s clear that the Fair is a full day of fun for many of our visitors.

It’s also worth sharing that nearly 50% of our year-round administrative colleagues were new leading into the 2023 Fair. I’m so proud to have watched the team come together to make this Fair even better than the last amid so many potential challenges that come with having new staff. Simply put, they crushed it!

Q: Let’s address the most common question. What was the 2023 attendance number?

A: We’re proud to again surpass the 1 million milestone with this year’s Fair! Attendance this year was 1,125,347, which is less than a 2% decrease when compared to 2022. This could be from the bad weather we experienced on numerous days, the gate admission price increase, inflation, or a handful of other factors.

Q: Why didn’t you release the attendance number sooner?

A: This may come as a surprise to some… our philosophy on success is not tied to a single number like attendance. We look at a wide range of impact metrics—which we began sharing back in 2019. To be completely honest, I wish we didn’t release the attendance number at all! It creates unnecessary competition with other Fairs. Fairs across the state are funded differently and reach different demographics, so it’s never an apples-to-apples comparison. There will probably come a time when we stop releasing our attendance number altogether, which is not an uncommon trend in the industry.

Q: What are your impact metrics?

A: We have a ton to share, so I’ve included a graphic below to summarize all of the key impact metrics. I’ll highlight two special numbers here:

1. Our Opening Day Food Drive shattered last year’s record, raising 140,834 pounds of canned goods, a 46% increase over last year. This equates to 117,362 meals for our neighbors through FeedMore WNY thanks to all of YOU!

2. We awarded a record $50,000 in scholarships to area high school and college students who are pursuing degrees in agriculture and/or have engaged in Erie County Fair or Erie County Agricultural Society activities. This is a 25% increase over last year and gets us closer to our goal of giving out 6-figures in scholarships. I can’t wait to see what these 17 recipients do in the future!

Q: What do you wish the public knew about the Erie County Fair that they might not?

A: We are not affiliated with a government agency and do not receive major funding from New York State or the County of Erie. One of the most common misconceptions is that we are part of a government agency. The Erie County Fair is hosted by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), a private not-for-profit membership organization located on the Hamburg Fairgrounds. ECAS has been around since 1819 and is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. We have 452 members.

The purpose of ECAS is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. ECAS sponsors the Erie County Fair, which promotes and showcases our community's agricultural traditions, talents, diversity and heritage.

Q: What else does the Erie County Agricultural Society’s staff work on throughout the year?

A: It’s hard to believe that the Erie County Fair isn’t the only event we put on! This fall, we’ll produce the Harvest Classic beef cattle show followed by the 26-night Festival of Lights. In 2024, we’ll produce WNY Equifest, Empire State Beef Classic and the WNY Preview Classic before we put on the 184th Erie County Fair. Beyond the shows we produce ourselves, we help facilitate other events on the Fairgrounds, like our Event Center’s calendar of shows and Buffalo Raceway’s five months of harness racing.

With a mission rooted in agriculture and education, one of our pinnacle efforts non-fair, is our Farm 2 Table program. This hands-on free field trip program is offered to kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms in Western New York and will host around 7,000 students this school year. Since 2010, ECAS has served 70,000+ students through this program. The team is also focused on revitalizing additional youth programs to reach all age groups including Little Sprouts (pre-school & pre-K) and a new and improved one-day Vet Camp (6th-8th grade). Look for more information soon!

There is so much to look forward to in the months ahead.

Thank you for reading and I hope you were able to join us for the Best 12 Days of Summer this August in support of advancing the Erie County Agricultural Society’s mission. I hope you will join me in expressing gratitude to our employees, board, volunteers, exhibitors, and partners for their commitment to the 183rd Erie County Fair. We hope to see you all on the Fairgrounds soon!


Jessica Underberg, CFE
CEO & Fair Manager
Erie County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the Erie County Fair