Cattaraugus County Fair 2024
Cattaraugus County Fair 2024
The Annual Fair Seasons Opens on July 27th
Do you know what time it is? It’s fair o’clock, people! (Okay, I know that isn’t actually a time but you know what I mean). The Annual Cattaraugus County Fair opens on July 27th and runs till August 3rd. This event is a family-friendly, hometown fun fair and best of all, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The cost of admission is $15 for everyone ages 2 and over. Presale gate admission will be on sale now at the office in Little Valley, as well as at a variety of outlets in the area, until July 26: All Cattaraugus County Bank locations, South Dayton Super Duper, Community Banks in North Collins, Gowanda, Orchard Park and Olean. Advanced sale tickets, as well as tickets to all grandstand shows are available online at etix.com, their only authorized ticket outlet. They also offer special pricing for youth day (Monday, July 27) $8 for 8:00am to 4:00pm, for youth ages 15 & under only. Senior citizen day is Thursday, August 1. Seniors ages 62 and over are admitted for $8 from 8:00am to closing. These special prices are only good at the gate; no presale available.
That budget friendly cost of entrance is enhanced by the fact that the fair has a HUGE ground entertainment array that is INCLUDED with your admission. There are 3-4 shows daily for each: Sea Lion Splash; Horses, Horses, Horses; Central K9 Performance Dogs; Swifty Swine Racing Pigs; Lance Gifford Magic; and the Olde Tyme Lumberjack Show. All staple shows you don’t want to miss seeing at least once.
In between riding rides and visiting grounds shows, the fair offers a wide array of livestock, horses, rabbits, and poultry to visit. New this year: Exhibitors have the option of entering dairy, horse, livestock, domestic entries, etc. online as well as the traditional way through mail or in person at the office on the Fairgrounds.
Speaking of new things, the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society had something special to share. “We are pleased to welcome Amusements of America as our midway company. This company is new to us, but they have a great reputation as a clean and fun outfit. Over 20 rides are expected. Perennial favorites remain like the swings, ferris wheel and merry go round. We're hoping they also bring bumper cars! (amusementsofamerica.com)"
Amusements of America is well known for the wide variety of rides they bring to the field. They build a magical place for kids to ride a jet ski, take a train tour or drive a mini-monster truck. Their midways are a place of wonder and excitement. If you visit their website, you can actually view a list of attractions that will be coming specifically to the Catt. County Fair, including their Bear Affair (think tilt-a-whirl but inside a teddy bear), Firestorm (that would be like a mid-air spinning top), The Polar Express (a Himalayan style attraction), and so much more!
What could make this great time even better? Obviously the Grandstand Events, if you can swing them. These events require an extra cost to attend, but they are worth the extra. The Broken B Rodeo is Sunday, July 28th at 6:00pm. The annual Demolition Derby is the 29th at 7:00pm. Tyler Hubbard performs live on the 30th at 7:30pm then Cooper Alan is live in concert on the 31st at 7:30pm. The fun continues on August 1st with the WNY Pro Pulling Series at 7:30pm. Then there will be two performances of the long-loved Monster Truck Rally - one on the 2nd at 7:30pm and one on the 3rd at 1:30pm. The entertainment winds down on the 3rd with the final Demolition Derby & Bus Demo at 6:30pm. Prices for the Grandstand Entertainment can be found at https://www.cattarauguscofair.com/activities.
Last but definitely not least (this section is actually top of the line for myself anyway), you cannot go to the fair without indulging in the excellent variety of fair foods. The Ag Society stated, “We have a large variety of food vendors coming this year. From chicken barbecue to burgers to pizza (the standard fare), there will also be mile high cream pies, candy apples, taffy, fried Oreos, curly fries and all the other food that fair patrons look forward to each year. Vendors will be strategically placed around the grounds to make it easy for folks to get something to eat, no matter where they happen to be.”
The vendors come from several states as well as local groups looking to fund their projects for the upcoming year. The fair would not be what it is without the many vendors who showcase throughout the week!
Doesn’t all that sound amazing? The perfect way to celebrate the summer. And you don’t even have to worry too much about parking. They offer FREE parking behind the fairgrounds! This parking lot is directly behind the grandstand with easy access to the fairgrounds grandstand gate. Handicapped parking is also available in this free lot. Tram rides are typically available daily 1:00-8:00pm, depending on crowds. Follow the signs to the free parking (Route 353/Erie Street to N. Ninth St.) and drive behind the grounds to the grandstand lot and grandstand entrance! No need to walk back the front entrance!
So come out to 501 Erie Street in Little Valley, NY anytime between July 27th through August 3rd and have yourself a magical time on the Cattaraugus County Fair Midway!
