Originating from the early 1800s, state and county fairs offer a mix of 4-H competitions, agriculture, amusement, and entertainment that showcase the bountiful harvest and proudly display locally crafted goods. For over 150 years, communities have eagerly looked forward to gathering in late summer to enjoy the festivities, including lively parades and shows, unique exhibits, exciting competitions, and live music.
Mark your calendar and plan a visit to one or more of this year’s fairs. They typically happen around the same time each year.
July
Yates County Fair
July 8–12, 2025, Penn Yan
Est. 1839, Yates County Fair Agriculture Society
Livingston County Fair
July 15–19, 2025, Hemlock
While not officially designated as a “Livingston County Fair,” the Hemlock “Little World’s” Fair is a fair-like event in Livingston County, featuring 4-H and agriculture-themed activities.
Est. 1903, Hemlock Lake Union Agricultural Society
Seneca County Fair
July 16–19, 2025, Waterloo
Est. 1843, Seneca County Agricultural Society
Genesee County Fair
July 19–26, 2025, Batavia
Est. 1839, Genesee County Agricultural Society
Orleans County Fair
July 21–26, 2025, Albion
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
Ontario County Fair
July 22–26, 2025, Canandaigua
Est. 1843, Ontario County Fair Committee
August
Niagara County Fair
Jul 30–Aug 3, 2025, Lockport
Est. 1841, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County
Erie County Fair
August 6–17, 2025, Hamburg
Est. 1820, Erie County Agricultural Society
The fair features the World’s Largest Demolition Derby.
Established in 1819, the Erie County Agricultural Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York.
Wyoming County Fair
August 9–16, 2025, Pike
Est. 1844, Wyoming County Fair Association
Wayne County Fair
August 4–10, 2025, Palmyra
Est. 1855, Wayne County Fair Advisory Board
Steuben County Fair
August 11–17, 2025, Bath
Est. 1819, Steuben County Fair
America’s oldest, continually running fair.
A note regarding the Monroe County Fair: Monroe County has not hosted a county fair since 2019. It was last held in Rush, NY. The fair was first established in 1823 by the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association.
The Great New York State Fair
Aug 20–Sep 1, 2025
Syracuse
Established in 1841 and relocated to its current Syracuse location in 1890, the New York State Fair operates the oldest state fair in the United States. Ours is also one of the largest, with roughly one million visitors annually, with some days seeing over 100,000 people. The fair runs annually, beginning on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday in August and ending on Labor Day.
What is 4-H?
The four “h”s stand for head, heart, hands, and health.
As per the official 4-H website, children and teenagers participate in hands-on projects related to health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in a positive and supportive environment. They receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on leadership roles. 4-H programs are available in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps.
According to the Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H is a youth development program available worldwide in every state and over 80 countries. It welcomes all youth between the ages of 5 and 19 who are interested in having fun, learning new skills, and exploring the world. Through participating in 4-H, young people receive a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or experiential learning about things that interest them. They also develop the confidence, compassion, and connections with caring adults that they need to succeed in life and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
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When May comes around, you find the amusement parks with the dry rides opening on the weekends and water parks opening in mid-June.
On a hot day, you can stand under a waterfall, swim in a lake, or wade through a creek at one of these refreshing natural swimming holes
Rochester, NY Events & Activities: Your Guide to Year-Round Fun
From Rochester’s annual events and festivals to seasonal activities, I’ve curated a list of the best things to do around Rochester all year.
What do you look forward to most at our state and county fairs?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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Enjoy the Journey Together!
How come the Hemlock Fair is nit listed in Livingston County