America’s Oldest Continuously-Running County Fair

Whenever I think of the county fair, I’m suddenly a kid again, walking the dirt path between old wooden buildings, zigzagging around the many booths set up with games of chance and skill and strength, passing the midway and all those whizzing rolling speeding rides (I never had the stomach for those, but they sure looked fun), making my way toward the center of everything, toward the smell of hot sausage and funnel cakes and the other aromatic scents of the food booths.

While there’s certainly a sense of nostalgia associated with a fair, these popular annual events don’t merely offer a connection to another time, they also offer a very direct connection to where our food comes from in the present.

In addition to offering various forms of entertainment for the whole family—like tractor pulls and demolition derbies, even racing pigs (that’s right)—the Steuben County Fair carries on the tradition of being more than a gathering place for light-hearted fun. It’s also a showcase for the many agricultural achievements in the area which is especially fitting since we’ve been farming in some way for as long as we can remember.

Although Steuben County became recognized officially (and legislatively) in 1796, the first two original Steuben County Fairs took place in 1795 and 1796 making it the oldest fair in New York State. And every year since 1819 the fair has taken place, making it America’s Longest Continuously-Running County Fair.

You can get a sense for the past by strolling through several historic buildings, like the Pioneer Museum, Log Cabin Museum, One-Room Schoolhouse, and Automobile Museum.

Throughout the fairgrounds there are livestock competitions and exhibits, as well as dog shows, horse shows, rabbit shows, and sundry other livestock shows. And while those are primarily intended for education and observation, the petting zoo allows for a much more up close experience with farm animals.

Another popular activity is the Rodeo which showcases animals in a much more active arena and features bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping competition.

There are workshops, as well as competitive exhibits (like the dahlia and gladiolus shows, fruit and veggie exhibits), culinary competitions (breads, pies, jams and jellies), plus exhibits of needlework, photography and more. Did we mention racing pigs?

Some folks go for the tasty fair food or the midway rides which add an abundance of color and sound to the fairgrounds at night. Others take part in judged competitions which identify “Best of Breed” and “Grand Champion.”

While many others show up for grand stand entertainment—like the Monster Truck Show, the Tractor Pull, the more Traditional Demolition Derby or the highly engaging Lawnmower Demolition Derby—which do require special ticket purchases.

Some of the Most Popular Grandstand Events:

• Wednesday – Rodeo @ 7pm / General $15.00 or Reserved $20.00
• Thursday – Demolition Derby @ 7pm / General $15.00 or Reserved $20.00
• Friday – Monster & Tough Truck Show @ 7pm/ General $15.00 or Reserved $20.00
• Saturday – Truck & Tractor Pull @ 6pm/ General $15.00 or Reserved $20.00
• Sunday – Demolition Derby @ 4pm / General $15.00 or Reserved $20.00

Weather permitting, the fair kicks off with harness racing on Monday, then several livestock shows and grandstand events beginning on Tuesday, and then carnival portion of the fair opening at 1pm on Wednesday.

There are special days like Youth Day where anyone 18 and under gets in free before 5pm (there are actually two Youth Days) and Senior Day (with admission being $3 for senior citizens), plus free admission all day Tuesday for everyone.

The Steuben County Fair is an annual event where you can learn about farming and where your food comes from. But it’s also a place where people let down their hair and have fun. There are rides, games, food, and more. And after over 200 years (originating in 1819), it’s safe to say the Steuben County Fair has been around long enough to know how to do it right.

For more information, visit the Steuben County Fair website here, or check out the full schedule of events here.