Orleans County 4-H Fair is ready for big week

Photos by Tom Rivers: 4-H youth and adult volunteers and staff did a workbee on Wednesday at the 4-H Fairgrounds, getting barns, stalls and stands ready for the estimated 25,000 people who will attend the fair July 25-30.

KNOWLESVILLE – The big week is nearly here with about 25,000 people expected to attend the Orleans County 4-H Fair from Monday through Saturday.

The admission is at $5 for a weekly pass, or $3 for one day or $1 a day for kids 11 and under. That differs from the $7 per carload in 2019. There was no fair in 2020. Last year was the first time the fair went to reduced admission prices.

“At a time when everything else is going up, our goal is to be as reasonable as possible so everyone can go to the fair,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.

He is expecting another big turnout from the community for a fair that typically draws about 25,000 people for the six days.

Already, there is a record-high for campers at the fair.

Batt said fair-goers will be pleased to see new rides from Main Event Amusements, including a taller Gondola Ferris wheel.

Main Event offers a $25 unlimited ride wristband in the midway from 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.. on Saturday. That price is $20 if purchased presale online. (Click here for more information.)

The fair is “back to normal” will all the livestock shows, food and business vendors, 4-H exhibits, entertainment and other displays.

The opening ceremonies are set for 6 p.m. on Monday.

Click here for a schedule of events throughout the week.

Aeddon Cayea, an Americorps worker for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, holds one of the shirts passed out on Wednesday evening to 4-H’ers. About 300 shirts for different clubs and the fair were given out to the 4-H youth.