DUNKIRK - People from all around will be coming to Dunkirk next week to celebrate the 131st anniversary of the Chautauqua County Fair.
A staple for the region for more than a century, the Chautauqua County Fair has a history of bringing together families and friends for the entertainment that is offered. Year after year, the fair brings in entertainers from across the country.
In 2011, the Chautauqua County Fair was named to a list of the 10 best agricultural fairs by USA Today. This year, the fair is being sponsored by Merritt Estate Winery, Shults Auto Group, Star Media Group, Upstate Farms, ADK Merchant Services, Budweiser, McDonalds, J&S Signs, 21 Brix Winery, Pepsi, GCFCU, DFT Communications and Crosby's.
Year after year, audiences come in droves to see the wide variety of entertainments acts that are offered at the fair. Some of the most anticipated acts that will be coming to the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds this year include ever-popular WNY Pro Farm Pullers tractor pull event, the Paul Bunyan Lumber Jack Show, Beatle Magic, and the Texaco Country Showdown.
The Texaco Country Showdown, now in its 30th year, is an annual talent contest that is held to find undiscovered country music singers and songwriters. Many contestants of the showdown have gone on to have their own music careers, including Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks.
Musician, educator and entertainer Glenn Colton will also be appearing at the fair this year. Described as a mixture of Jimmy Buffett, 1970s radio and "just a dash of Mr. Rogers thrown in for good measure," Colton has been entertaining families for decades with his unique combination of educational, yet catchy music.
Fact Box
What:
Chautauqua
County Fair
When: Monday, July 23 to Sunday, July 29
Where: Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, Central Avenue, Dunkirk
Cost: $11 for a daily ticket, $70 for a weeklong pass, at the gate. Senior citizen tickets are $5.50
For more info: 366-4752
- ? ?
30 miles from
downtown Jamestown
The annual demolition derby will also be held during the fair on Tuesday, July 24, and Sunday, July 29. The event is open for registration and anyone interested can download the registration form from the Chautauqua County Fair website. More than $7,000 in prizes are being offered to the participants of the demolition derby this year.
Daily tickets can be purchased in advance for $7 or a pass for the entire week can be purchased for $42. During the fair, daily gate admission is $11 or a week-long pass can be purchased for $70. Seniors age 62 and older get in any day for 50 percent off of the daily gate admission prices. A paid admission ticket is required for entry to any events held in the Budweiser Grandstand.
The Chautauqua County Fair is located at 1089 Central Ave. in Dunkirk. From Jamestown, take Route 60 to Fredonia, then turn left onto Vineyard Drive. Take Vineyard Drive until it ends and turn right onto Central Avenue.
The Chautauqua County Fairgrounds will be on the left-hand side of the road. For more information, visit www.chautauquacountyfair.org or call 366-4752.