The 178th Cattaraugus County Fair will kick off for seven days starting August 1 in Little Valley. The event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PJ file photo
With the easing of COVID-related restrictions in New York City, many have set their sights on a summer staple: county fairs.
With the lack of fairs last year during the pandemic, the possibility of having them again this year is one of the many encouraging signs that the pandemic is slowly coming to an end. The main exception is the Chautauqua County Fair, due to be canceled again this year due to lack of instructions from the state, although 4-H organizers have planned a “Unfair” later this month.
In Little Valley, plans for the Cattaraugus County Fair are underway, with presale tickets on sale through July 31. The Cattaraugus County Fair will be held August 1-7, marking its 178th year. The theme is “Create memories at every turn.”
According to Nell Fellows, secretary of the Cattaraugus County Fairground board, waiting for permission from New York State has proven to be very difficult. “We plan the fair all year round, so the most difficult thing was to wait for the state’s agreement” The fellows said.
At the start of the planning process, the fair board had to send a COVID-19 precautionary plan to the state for approval. The plan, Fellows said, included many steps such as keeping things clean and getting people from one place to another – then selling tickets. With most of the restrictions now lifted, the board still plans to stick to its usual safety and cleanliness plans, just in a slightly beefed up way.
“We are asking those who are not yet vaccinated to always wear a mask and stay socially distant, but we will not be checking people’s vaccination cards or anything. “ The fellows said. “It will be safety first as usual anyway.”
Fair events, from country singers to the standard event such as the fair’s petting zoo, have mostly picked up from last year which could not take place in 2020. New events have been added. planned, like a rodeo and a sea lion splash event – but Fellows said most events were pretty much set.
Other events include the Demolition Derby, Jordan Davis Concert, Justin Moore Concert, Monster Truck Rally and the popular “Horses, horses, horses” Event.
“I think we are going to have some very happy fairgoers”, The fellows said. “This is the first event that was able to reach this scale in a year and a half. We hope for a great audience and very happy people.
Presale tickets for the Cattaraugus County Fair are available until July 31 and allow people to save 30% off the price of tickets. Tickets are available online at the Cattaraugus County Fair website, which is new due to COVID restrictions, and something Fellows said will most likely continue in the future.
“With online ticket sales, people can buy online and choose a specific seat and section for the grandstand without having to queue or reserve a seat.” he said. “This is something that we will probably continue in the future, even for the free shows.”
Tickets are also available at the Fairgrounds, all Cattaraugus County banks, Cattaraugus County Federal Credit Union, South Dayton Super Duper, and Olean Area Community Banks.
