Fair Camp

A once in a lifetime experience for your child

Interested in a 2 1/2 day agricultural experience for you and your child, ages 8-10?

Fair Camp is a great experience for children 8-10 years of age. The two and half day program for campers and a parent/guardian includes:

Sleeping in the Agriculture Discovery Center
Helping out with barn chores
Showing an animal
Working with a Fair Food Vendor
and more...

Fair Camp 2024 has two sessions that will take place
August 9-11 OR August 16-18, 2024

Deadline to apply: May 1st

How many children are chosen?

Six children are chosen for each session of Fair Camp. The small groups insure each child gets a unique experience and personal attention.

How much does Fair Camp cost?

All aspects, including meals and entertainment are completely free. The program is sponsored by the Erie County Fair.

When are applications due?

All applications must be received by MAY 1st, 2024. Applicants will be notified starting April 26, 2024.

If I have additional questions who can I contact?
Additional questions can be answered by calling the Fairgrounds Main Office at 716-649-3900 ext. 6413.

Program Overview

Friday
7pm - Arrival
8:30pm - Tour of livestock barns/settle in for the night
Saturday

7am – Learn how to help care for the animals in the Agriculture Discovery Center

8am - Breakfast

9am – Ag-related crafts and Animal Lessons

11:30am - Lunch

12pm – Spend time working at a Concession Stand and taste some yummy Fair treats

1pm – Enjoy some free time to go on the Midway

3pm – Learn all about the crops in the Grange Building and make your own veggie creature

4pm – Learn all about equine in Horse Headquarters and stop by the Blacksmith Shop to see a horse shoe forged

5pm – Dinner

6pm – VIT (Vet in Training) Work with the Erie County Fair Student Vets and learn how they help care for the animals at the Fair

7pm – Visit Little Hands on the Farm and help get it ready to open for the next morning, that’s after you ride the pedal tractors

8pm – Pair up with a 4-H Student and their animal to learn the art of showmanship

Sunday

7am – The hungry animals of the Agriculture Discovery Center are waiting for you to help feed and water them

8am – Breakfast

11:30am – Show off your all your hard work at the Fair Camp Showmanship Show; complete with blue ribbons and trophies and your families can come watch

12pm – Lunch

1pm – Collect belongings and dismissal

Program is tentative, subject to change.

Please read before filling out the application.
As part of the application process, your child must complete the following:

Create a poster answering the question; What is your favorite part of the Erie County Fair? Why? Get creative!
Child must provide a written statement (not typed) answering the question in 150 words or less; Why would you like to attend Fair Camp this summer?

Applicant will be ages 8-10 by January 1st, 2024.
Applicant has a parent or guardian willing to attend Fair Camp for the entirety of Camp.
Space availability during applicants preferred camp week (flexibility with camping week may increase chances of being selected).
Application is filled out completely.
You will be required to upload a letter of recommendation (teacher/parent/sibling/family member/community leader/etc.) when filling out the online application.
Online applications must be received by May 1st, 2024.
The poster and written statement must be brought to the Fairgrounds Main Office by 5:00pm on May 1st.
The Fairgrounds Main Office is located behind the grandstand on the Fairgrounds. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm.
(please note that Monday, April 8th is the total solar eclipse and you will not be able to access the Fairgrounds Main Office)

Please note, clicking the button above will take you to a Google Form Application.

Past year's Fair Campers had this to say about their experience:

"..."Thank you for choosing me to do Fair Camp. I especially enjoyed showing a sheep and taking care of a calf. I will not forget this weekend..."

"...Fair Camp was a very unique, exciting experience. My son is still talking about Fair Camp. He said it was the best part of his summer…”

"...My daughter and I really had a great time. I was amazed at all the things we did and how wonderful everyone was to us..."

“...[Fair Camp is a] great experience. It gives you a different perspective on the Fair after seeing what happens behind the scenes...”