Erie County Fair highlights new attractions, entertainment, food & family value for 186th event

Erie County Fair press release

The Erie County Fair is preparing to welcome guests back, Aug. 12-23, for its 186th year, bringing together agricultural traditions, family attractions, live entertainment, new food and beverage offerings, and affordable fun for all ages.

From animals and exhibits to music, food, and interactive attractions, the 2026 Erie County Fair offers guests more ways than ever to create their own experience.

"Value is not only about what it costs to get in. It is also about what guests can experience once they are here," Erie County Fair CEO and Manager Jessica Underberg said. "At the Erie County Fair, you're not purchasing a ticket to one attraction. You're purchasing the opportunity to create your own fair day. From agriculture and exhibits to entertainment, music, culture and food, there is truly something for everyone."

The Erie County Fair continues its commitment to providing value for families. Advance admission tickets are on sale now through Aug. 7 for $15, offering savings off the regular gate admission price. Fair officials are also highlighting additional opportunities to save at the gate, value-priced menu items available at participating food stands, and affordable ways to enjoy more than 50 rides on the midway.

An Erie County Fair admission ticket provides access to much more than food and rides. Guests can experience nearly 1,500 animals on exhibit, explore more than 9,800 competitive exhibits entered by local residents, watch over 117 demonstrations, and discover cultural and historical attractions throughout the grounds. Admission also includes 282 hours of live music during the 12-day run – an average of more than 23 hours of music each day.

New entertainment making its Erie County Fair debut in 2026 includes:

•Xtreme Strongman Show – incredible feats of strength and audience interaction

•Sand sculpture by Eric Jones – live sand sculpting demonstrations by the award-winning artist

•Recycled percussion – high-energy percussion performances using everyday objects

•Noah Royak show – a unique blend of comedy, illusion and sword-swallowing

•Patrick Tobin – The Sinatra Experience – a tribute to the timeless music of Frank Sinatra

•The Catnip Junkies – a lively New Orleans-style street band

•The Strolling Boombox – interactive roaming entertainment bringing music throughout the fairgrounds

Returning favorites will continue to entertain fairgoers, including Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Sea Lion Splash, and the ever-popular Racing Pigs.

Guests will also find new interactive experiences across the grounds, including the first-ever fire truck pull, an America's 250th anniversary scavenger hunt, opportunities to write a letter to a hero, enhancements to Little Hands on the Farm, and the new “Cuddle Corner” inside Fair Bear's Farmland.

Another new addition for 2026 is the expansion of a miniature golf course featuring eight brand-new holes designed and created by community organizations and local schools, adding a unique hometown touch to one of the Erie County Fair's most popular family attractions.

Additional highlights include the Nya Weh Village, Erie County Fair Museum, Historical Building, the new Asian culture showcase on Aug. 21, daily strolling entertainment, livestock competitions, youth exhibits and hands-on demonstrations.

Food remains one of the top reasons guests attend the Erie County Fair each year, and this year introduces 39 new food and beverage offerings for guests to enjoy. Featuring everything from savory specialties and Buffalo-inspired creations to indulgent desserts and creative beverages, this year's “New Food Showdown” highlights the best in fair food innovation. Returning guest favorites will also be available throughout the fairgrounds.

The 186th Erie County Fair will be held at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit www.ECFair.org.

More about the Erie County Fair: The Erie County Fair is produced by the Erie County Agricultural Society, a private, not-for-profit membership organization established in 1819. It is recognized as the oldest civic institution in Western New York. The society’s mission is to connect communities through agriculture, education, and entertainment.