How to Do the Erie County Fair on the Cheap

When is the Erie County Fair?

August 12-23, 2015

Where is the Erie County Fair?

5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg, NY 14075

Getting In

There are a variety of different discounts offered by the fair either to specific groups or provided by sponsors. No reason to ever pay list price (Adults: $10.00, Seniors (60+): $7.00, Kids 12 and under FREE). Parking inside the grounds is $5. You might be able to do better outside but not always. If you get lost at any time consult the MAP here.

Wednesday, August 12 / Opening Day – Donations of canned food can be redeemed for FREE admission to the Fair on this day or pay just $2 for admission and $2 for parking. Just mention Step Out Buffalo… err Channel 2 day. Gates open at 12pm.

Thursday, August 13 – Pay just $4 for admission and $4 for parking because it’s Channel 4 day. (Hmm. Channel 2 day looks better. Just sayin’)

Friday, August 14 – Firefighters Day – all firefighters and auxiliary members receive FREE admission on Friday, August 14.

August 14 and August 17-21– Early Bird Special. Pay $5 for admission before 11:00am

Tuesday, August 18 – Channel 7 Day. $2 admission all day.

All day, every day

Kids 12 and Under free. Student Special- students with school ID, ages 13-22 pay just $5 after 5:00pm every day.

Food Tastes Better at the Fair

OK. I know a lot of people might not agree but I’m sticking with this. I’ve been trying to replicate the taste of Italian sausage with peppers and onions for decades and it just isn’t the same. Fried dough, cotton candy, ice cream, Chiavetta’s? It’s true! Back by popular demand this year is the Taste of the Fair. Vendors will be offering an item for just $2.00 on Thursday, August 20. See the list of participants here. You can also get discount coupons for a host of vendors here. Print these or find them at information booths while supplies last. Some of our local favs – Armor Inn Tap Room, Nick Charlaps, Mineo & Sapio, Weidner’s BBQ, BW Barbecue, Louie’s Texas Red Hots.

Free Shows All Around

Backyard Circus and Puppet Parade

Description: “Kids become stars when they take part in the Backyard Circus and Puppet Parade. Volunteers from the crowd become the show as they dress up and play the part of lion tamers, daredevils and dancers. After the show parents and children can pick a puppet and march in a small family parade.”

Location: Kiddieland

Times: 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:00pm Puppet Parade follows each Circus performance. 

Bee Tree Trail Draft Horse Spectacular

Description: “The Bee Tree Trail Draft Horses will be hitching up in amazing formations in this spectacular demonstration. Each day will feature a different formation from 6 square, 9 up, and the amazing suicide hitch, which lines six horses up single file. The ability to maneuver these horses around the ring takes decades of experience to master.”

Time: 4:00pm (August 12-20) and 3:00pm (August 21-23)

Location: Horse Show Arena

Dueling Pirates High Dive Show

Description: “Free falling from more than eighty feet in the air, this epic stunt show is a must see. The five person stunt team will tell a swashbuckling pirate tale alongside choreographed springboard and tower dives. The show blends comedy, excitement, and storytelling, as the audience follows a band of pirates in search of a treasure map.”

Location: Near Showplace Building 

Times:  

Ex-Changing of the Guards

Description: “Three palace guards have jumped the pond to wreak royal mayhem on the Fair. The palace guards, decked out in their famous hats, will roam the grounds with pop-up shows involving guest participation and traditional British-style physical comedy.”

Location: Historical Building Lawn

Show Times: 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm T BD

Gary the Silent Clown

Description: “Celebrating more than two decades here at the Erie County Fair, Gary the Silent Clown is back.  Juggling, magic and all of his tricks take the place of his words in both his daily show.”

Location: Evans BankFamily Entertainment Complex

Time: 4:30pm

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Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy

Description: “In a self-described “show without boundaries,” Hilby’s show features juggling, balance acts and various other stunts.  He is guaranteed to have the whole family laughing- but don’t stand too close or you might end up a part of the show! Playing perfectly off of the audience Hilby makes sure no two shows are the same. This is the act you will need to catch more than once!”

Location: Outside the Indoor Living Center

Show Times:

Jerry Valley Master Hypnotist

Description: “A pioneer in his craft of turning logs into masterpieces, Jerry Ward performs live chainsaw art demonstrations. In a show, guests will see Ward work on a piece that begins as raw lumber and is crafted only using a chainsaw.  All pieces are offered to the public via a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the ECAS Scholarship Fund.”

Location: 42^nd Street

Times: August 18-23 only 2:30pm, 9:00pm

Jerry Ward, The Wizard of Wood

Description: “A pioneer in his craft of turning logs into masterpieces, Jerry Ward performs live chainsaw art demonstrations. In a show, guests will see Ward work on a piece that begins as raw lumber and is crafted only using a chainsaw.  All pieces are offered to the public via a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the ECAS Scholarship Fund.”

Location: 42^nd Street

Times: 

John Cassidy- The Bizarre Balloonologist

Description: “Cassidy currently holds three Guinness World Records for his ability to take balloon animals to another level. The records have included the most balloons inflated in an hour, the fastest balloon sculpture, and the most balloon sculptures in an hour. Cassidy returns to the Fair showcasing his blend of comedy, entertainment and art- all with balloons. The Balloonologist has been featured on Late Night with Conan O’Brien as well as at the White House.”

Location:  Tops Avenue of Flags Stage

Times:  

Josh Casey- Comedy Juggler

Description: “In an entertaining mash up of comedy and juggling, Josh Casey will have the entire audience laughing! A twenty year juggling veteran, Casey’s show will feature plenty of audience participation alongside a wide array of unusual stunts (like catching a guitar on his face). This is a not-to-miss show that is surprising, fresh, and above all fun!”

Location: Evans BankFamily Entertainment Complex

Times: 3:15pm, 8:00pm

King BMX Stunt Show

Description: “Professional BMX riders will navigate through a course full of ramps doing jaw-dropping aerial tricks and incredible ground maneuvers. The show features nonstop action from start to finish. Riders have competed in the X-Games, on America’s Got Talent, Gravity Games and Dew Action Sports Tour.”

Location: Gate 5

Show Times: 

Moo U Livestock Barn Tours

Description:  “Fairgoers who love wandering through the barns but are looking for a more in depth experience will have the opportunity to attend a guided barn tour with Moo U. Certified tour guides will lead fairgoers on a 40-50 minute walking tour of all the barns. They will point out interesting facts about the animals and take your questions. There is no script so no two tours are alike.”

Location: Agriculture Discovery Center

Tour Times: 11:00am-7:00pm (every hour on the hour, no tour at 12:00pm)

Mutts Gone Nuts Comedy Thrill Show ft. Samantha Valle

Description: “Dogs perform in a comedy stunt show that features balancing, jumping rope, and commands that go above and beyond sit and stay. All the dogs featured in the show are rescue dogs and the show reminds the audience of the importance of rescuing pets.”

Location: Kiddieland

Show Times: 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm 5D

Ramblin Lou Family Band

Description: “Celebrating his 51st year at the Erie County Fair Ramblin Lou and his multi-generational family band will be back to entertain audiences with their old time country music. Ramblin Lou has been a hallmark of Buffalo radio on WXRL as well as a Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee.”

Location: Tops Avenue of Flags Stage

Times:  4:30pm (no shows on Wednesdays)

Skylighters Fireworks

Description: “End a night at the Fair with a firework spectacular! Select Dates: Wednesday, August 12, Thursday, August 20, Sunday, August 23.”

Best Viewing: Gusto Grandstand

Show Time: 10:30pm

Street Beat

Description: “Combining urban rhythm and dance, Street Beat utilizes everyday “junk” in their heart pounding musical performances. The simplicity of the instruments is what makes the complex music even more astonishing. Audience members will find themselves clapping and stomping along.”

Location: Evans Bank Family Entertainment Complex (6:00pm performances are in Midway Park)

Show Times: 

Swifty Swine Racing Pigs

Description: “Pigs with swine themed names (Kevin Bacon) will get their race number and go to the starting gate where a lucky fairgoer will represent the pig and cheer him on to victory. The winning pig gets a cookie; the winning fairgoer gets their very own pig nose. Grab your seat and pick your favorite porker.”

Location: near the Agriculture Discovery Center

Times: 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm

Xpogo

Description: “This high energy show features extreme pogo stick team members on next generation pogo sticks. The flips and incredible tricks take place in between bounces that send members more than nine feet in the air. XPogo has been featured on America’s Got Talent, and between the team they hold 13 Guinness World Records. They have appeared on countless TV shows and many of the athletes compete in a worldwide competition circuit for the sport of extreme pogo.”

Location: Gate 5

Show Times:

Slade Park Music Series

Sure the Grand Stand has a lot of good stuff but like the guy said – “Love the one your’re with” or something like that. All these shows are at the Slade Park Stage.

Aug12

Dreadbeats (Reggae) -1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

WBBZ-TV presents Bragging Rights – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 13

Schnicklefritzers (German & Polka) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Getting Better Band (Pop Rock) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Aug 14

Off the Grid (Irish & Classic Rock) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Pandora (Pop Rock) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 15

Adriatic Braca (Ethnic Variety) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Blood Money (Country) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 16

Craig Wilkins Band (Country & Patriotic) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Big Wheelie & The Hubcaps (Greaser Band) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 17

The Outofar Jug Trio – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Breakaway (Party Band) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 18

The Kokomo Time Band (50s-70s Beach Songs) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Deja Groove (Disco & Motown) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 19

Caribbean Extravaganza (Steel Drum) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Dave Constantino Band (Blues & Rock) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 20

23 Skidoo (Dixieland) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Supercharger (Rock Hits) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

 Aug 21

Blarney Bunch (Traditional Irish) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Fat Brat (Classic Rock) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Aug 22

Christina Custode Band (Melodic Pop) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Lower Town Trio (Rock-A-Billy) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Aug 23

Pooch & The Howling Cats (Blues & R&B) – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Back to the Bars (B-Side Rock) – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Check out events at more free stages here:

42nd Street Café 

Carousel Room

Evans Bank Family Entertainment Complex

Slade Park Music Series

Tops Avenue of Flags Stage

For more information, visit the Erie County Fair’s website or follow them on Facebook.

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