By Kevin M. Kendziora-Krell

This marks the 150th year that the Erie County Fair will be in Hamburg, NY, sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), a private not-for-profit membership organization.

Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The Erie County Fair held its first fair in 1820 on what is now the site of the Donovan Office Building in Buffalo. One year later, Niagara County split into Erie and Niagara Counties, and so did the agricultural society. The mission of the ECAS, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State.

In 1868, the Society moved the Fair to its Hamburg location and has remained there ever since. The Fair Grounds has 275 Acres, 112 permanent buildings and structures, 4 green parks, 15,000 parking spaces, and a casino. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 2018 Erie County Fair will be held August 8–19, 2018.