History of Erie County Fair in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 10, 2025

The Erie County Fair, held annually in Hamburg, Erie County, New York, during August, is a major regional event. It's the second-largest fair in New York and the fourth-largest county fair in North America based on 2018 attendance, regularly attracting over a million visitors. The fair is a significant event for the region.

1937: Incorporation of the First 15 Fairs

In 1937, the Board of Managers took action to incorporate the first 15 Erie County Fairs, plus one fair held in conjunction with the New York State Fair in 1856. The 97th Fair was held in 1937.

June 1942: Opening of Buffalo Raceway

In June 1942, the Buffalo Raceway was opened at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY, by James J. Dunnigan, following the State of New York's approval of harness racing under the pari-mutuel betting system.

1943: No Fair Held

In 1943, no Erie County Fair was held due to World War II.

1943: Cancellation During World War II

In 1943, the Erie County Fair was cancelled due to wartime rationing during World War II.

1949: Inaugural NASCAR Race

In 1949, the Erie County Fairgrounds hosted one of the inaugural stock car races for what became the NASCAR Cup Series, with Jack White of Lockport, NY, as the victor.

1950: NASCAR Race

In 1950, the series returned to Hamburg, and Dick Linder won the race.

1963: Pioneer Fairs Fully Documented

In 1963, after the pioneer fairs of 1820 and 1821 were fully documented, their numbers were added to the official numbering system.

1964: 125th Erie County Fair

In 1964, the Erie County Fair was recognized as the 125th fair due to the addition of the pioneer fairs of 1820 and 1821 to the official numbering system.

2014: 175th Edition of the Fair

In 2014, the Erie County Agricultural Society held its 175th edition of the Fair, highlighted by a high-wire walk over the Fairgrounds by Nik Wallenda.

2014: Previous Attendance Record

In 2014, the Erie County Fair attendance record was broken on August 18, 2019.

2014: Behind 2014 Fair in Attendance

In 2014, the Erie County Fair attendance was the highest in fair history.

2014: One Canalside

In 2014, the Erie County Fair location was near Terrace and Main Streets, the current site of One Canalside.

July 20, 2017: Tornado Damage

On July 20, 2017, a tornado struck the Hamburg fairgrounds, causing an estimated US 1.2 million in damage. Repairs were completed in time for the fair to proceed as scheduled.

2017: 30th Anniversary of the Giant Wheel

In 2017, the Erie County Fair celebrated the 30th anniversary of the "Giant Wheel" ferris wheel, a main icon of the fair provided by Strates Shows.

August 19, 2018: Near Record Attendance

On August 19, 2018, the 179th Erie County Fair had just shy of 1.2 million visitors, marking the second-highest attendance in fair history.

2018: Attendance Statistics

In 2018, the Erie County Fair was the second largest fair in New York and the fourth largest county fair in North America based on attendance, drawing over one million visitors.

August 18, 2019: All Time Attendance Record

On August 18, 2019, the 180th Erie County Fair set an all-time attendance record with 1,238,456 visitors. The fair also featured new rides to commemorate the 95th anniversary with Strates Shows.