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12 days of health, safety & community at Erie County Fair

Submitted

Tue, Aug 5th 2025 05:55 pm

Explore hands-on activities, access free resources, hear from Erie County experts in Marketplace Building

Submitted by the Press Secretary to the Erie County Executive

Whether you're learning how to respond in an emergency, picking up a guide to local county parks, or finding out how to keep your pets safe, Erie County will have something for everyone at this year’s Erie County Fair, running Aug. 6-17.

Fairgoers are invited to stop by the Marketplace Building each day to explore exhibits, access free resources, and meet county staff who work every day to keep the community safe, healthy and informed.

“The Erie County Fair is a great way to highlight to county residents and visitors how vital our public services are on a day-to-day basis,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said. “These exhibits are fun and interactive, helping people learn real skills and connect with resources that could save lives – such as our hands-only CPR training and distribution of Narcan kits. I encourage everyone to stop by the Marketplace Building to meet our teams and see how Erie County is working every day to protect public health and safety.”

More than a dozen Erie County departments will offer hands-on demonstrations, games, giveaways, and educational materials that promote safety, wellness and readiness for residents of all ages.

The Department of Health will offer free Narcan and on-the-spot training, along with information on a wide range of topics, including dental care, sexual health and environmental health. Visitors can also take part in a public health trivia game (“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”) to test their knowledge and win prizes.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry will share information about year-round activities in county parks, including wildlife education and recreation opportunities. Visitors can also pick up park maps, adventure guides, and other resources to help them explore Erie County’s parks.

The Department of Environment & Planning will share information about recycling, climate action, clean water, and community programs. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide resources that teach residents how to protect the environment and plan for the future.

The Office of Veterans Services, Office of Public Advocacy, Social Services, and other departments will also be present throughout the fair to connect residents to vital county services and promote public health, safety, and access to resources.

Highlights include:

Hands-only CPR training
Free Narcan and on-the-spot Narcan training
Emergency preparedness and response guidance for individuals, families, seniors and pet owners
Free FIT kits for colorectal cancer screening for eligible residents
“Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” public health trivia from the epidemiology team
Programs and resources covering dental health, sexual health, mental health, climate sustainability and recycling

In celebration of Erie County's recent HEARTSafe Community designation, fairgoers are invited to visit the Showplace Building each day to take part in lifesaving hands-only CPR and AED training. Sponsored by partner the Buffalo Bills, and supported by UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, American Red Cross and OSEA, this quick and engaging training empowers participants to act in an emergency. Giveaways will be available while supplies last.

Participating Erie County departments include: