Welcome to the 178th Cattaraugus County Fair
Welcome to the 178th Cattaraugus County Fair
Country music stars Jordan Davis and Justin Moore to headline this year’s fair; Grounds attraction to include unique animal shows and famed local talent
It’s been two years in the making, and it will be worth the wait! The Cattaraugus County Fair is returning to Little Valley for the 178th year from Aug. 1st through 7th, and according to fair board secretary Nell Fellows, it’s going to be a fair to remember.
In fact, “Making Memories Around Every Turn” is the theme for this year’s fair. Fellows anticipates a busier fair than ever, due to last summer’s dearth of activity and the cancellation of fairs this summer in neighboring counties. “We plan for the fair all year long,” explained Fellows. “The majority of our entertainment planned for last year rolled over to this year. The only thing that was difficult was to wait for what the government said about opening.”
After submitting their COVID-19 safety plans to the state earlier this year, Fellows said the fair board finally received word in mid-May that they could proceed with the fair. Unfortunately, for many fairs that normally take place in July, this news came too late, and they were forced to cancel. “We had the luxury of being able to wait, since our fair takes place in August,” she added. “I think we’ll draw a lot of people from all over - Chautauqua, as well as Erie counties. We draw a lot of people from Pennsylvania’s McKean and Potter counties, too.”
So what sets the Cattaraugus County Fair apart from others in the region? In Fellows’ words, “We’re a pay-one-price fair, which includes ground shows, midway rides, and free grandstand shows on Sunday and Tuesday.”
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
One of the many free with gate admission grounds entertainment to be offered is the perennial favorite, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs. Swifty and his friends don’t race for money, but an Oreo cookie, waiting on a silver platter at the finish line! Magician Lance Gifford will be performing throughout each day of the fair, as well as a returning favorite, the Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show. Three times a day, the show exhibits the skills, strength, and courage of the old time lumberjack through underhand chopping, crosscut saw races, springboard chopping, log rolling, obstacle pole bucking, axe throwing and chainsaw carving.
Among the new attractions fairgoers can enjoy is the talent of local artist Eric Jones of West Clarksville, NY. Jones, a local caricaturist and carving artist, is well known for his work in a variety of mediums. From an eight-feet sculpture of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to his pumpkin carvings on Food Network’s competition show “Halloween Wars,” Jones has showcased his amazing talent to local and national audiences alike. Jones will be featured in the grandstand creating what is sure to be an amazing sand sculpture.
Sea Lion Splash is another new attraction that is sure to become a favorite. Sea Lion Splash features both California and South American sea lions that balance balls, shoot hoops, dance, perform handstands and show off their smiles. Trainers Marco and Philip Peters have been recognized by millions of people for their unique and exciting shows and exhibits.
Dynamo Dogs is a new attraction that was started in 2006 by Gail Mirabella when she and her high-flying Frisbee dogs were the featured dog act on “The Greatest Show on Earth,” Ringling Brothers Circus, for four years. Many of The Dynamo Dogs have been adopted or rescued, such as Glamour, an Australian Shepherd that performs hoop and rolling barrel tricks. Two adopted Border Collies are known for their ability to catch almost every Frisbee thrown. They both are great dock-diving dogs too, leaping over 20 feet into a pool. Dynamo Dogs will perform three to four times a day throughout the fair.
CONCERT HEADLINERS
In keeping with the fair’s country music tradition, Jordan Davis will be taking the stage on Wednesday, Aug. 4th. Davis transformed himself from a Nashville newcomer into a countrywide chart-topper with 2018’s Home State. The album has several number-one hits including “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot,” “Take It From Me,” and “Singles You Up.” Trackside is general admission (standing, no seats), and grandstand is assigned seating. Tickets are $35 track or $30 grandstand, plus gate admission.
Postponed from 2020, country music star Justin Moore will be performing on Thursday, Aug. 5th. Moore has built a loyal following over the past decade and will be performing songs from his latest album, Late Nights and Longnecks, such as number-one hits “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” and “Why We Drink.” Over his 10-plus year career, Moore has produced eight number-one hits including “Point at You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town USA” and “Till My Last Day.” Trackside is general admission (standing, no seats), and grandstand is assigned seating. Tickets are $45 track or $35 grandstand, plus gate admission.
Despite the many changes created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fellows said that the experience of the average fair goer won’t be much different. As in years past, fair goers can celebrate the county’s agriculture through 4-H members’ animal showings, auctions, and club projects, which will be on display all week. All seats for every grandstand show will be available, and masks and proof of vaccination will not be required. “Health and safety are always a priority,” she pointed out. “There will be increased sanitation, cleaning and more staff doing disinfecting. Fair goers can certainly wear a mask if they wish. You know what you have to do to be safe. We’ll have lots of signage, and lots of opportunities for people to be apart from others.”
TICKETS
Presale gate admission tickets for this summer's fair are on sale now at various outlets in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties. Gate admission is pay-one-price, $12 (ages two and over). Admission includes unlimited Powers & Thomas Amusements midway rides and the grandstand shows on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. Purchase tickets prior to the start of the fair and save $4 on each ticket. Advanced sale gate tickets are $8 and are available through the end of the day on Saturday, July 31st. As always, parking is free and available behind the grandstand.
Tickets can be purchased at the fair office at 501 Erie St., Little Valley, all Cattaraugus County Bank (CCB) locations (Springville, Dunkirk, Little Valley, Randolph, Jamestown, Salamanca and Randolph), Cattaraugus County Credit Union in Little Valley, South Dayton Super Duper, Community Bank, N.A. locations in North Collins, Gowanda, Orchard Park and Olean, or online at etix.com or www.cattarauguscofair.com.
Tickets will be required for all grandstand shows, including free shows. Visitors who prefer a particular grandstand section or seat or who simply do not want to wait in line can go on the ETIX.com website and reserve seats by following the simple prompts. Tickets can be printed or shown at the gate on a cell phone. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the show, pending availability. Grandstand events include Broken B Rodeo on Sunday, Aug. 1st, the Demolition Derby on Monday, Aug. 2nd, the Freebird concert (Lynrd Skynrd tribute band) on Tuesday, Aug. 3rd, Jordan Davis / Jake Hoot country music concert on Wednesday, Aug. 4th, Justin Moore / Hootz country music concert on Thursday, Aug. 5th, the Monster Truck Rally on Friday, Aug. 6th, and the Monster Truck Rally and Big Rig Truck Pull on Saturday, Aug. 7th. For more information, visit cattarauguscofair.com.