The booming of the cannon signified the official start of the annual Chautauqua County Fair. Photo by Amanda Dedie

DUNKIRK — A few dozen were in attendance Monday morning for the annual Chautauqua County Fair cannon-firing, including representatives from Congressman Tom Reed’s office and Sen. Cathy Young’s office; City of Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas; Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano and County Executive Vince Horrigan.

Laurie Cornell, on behalf of Gov. Cuomo, welcomed everyone to the 136th annual Chautauqua County Fair.

“(One of the best parts of the fair is) highlighting the unique heritage and traditions of Chautauqua County and Western New York, from agriculture to local talent,” Cornell said.

Goodell elaborated on that, speaking about the importance of agriculture in, and to, the county.

“I think the county fair serves two really important functions. First, everyone in the area comes to the fair to have good, clean fun, and it’s good to know you can be fair and still have fun, right?” Goodell joked.

“The second purpose of the county fair is to highlight agriculture. This one of our largest industries in Chautauqua County. I looked at some of the data — we have about 1,500 farms,” Goodell stated. “The number of farms is down from 2007, but the number of acres is up, and we have 235,000 acres in agriculture production. Chautauqua County ranks in the Top 10 in a number of different agriculture products.”

According to Goodell, Chautauqua County is No. 1 in grape production, No. 6 in horses and ponies, No. 8 in bees/honey, and No. 9 in cattle, and a very close to the Top 10 at No. 13 in dairy.

“For all those involved in agriculture and making the county top in the state, the Chautauqua County fair highlights your efforts,” Goodell said.

Horrigan then shed light on those who make agriculture possible. Those who participate in 4-H get hands-on experience in the agriculture field, and carry it on into adulthood. It is members of 4-H who are showing off their hard work at the fair, displaying their animals and showcasing their talents and efforts.

“The fair is obviously a great countywide tradition. I think about the 4-H, I think about the work you do, how we teach our young people all the responsibility it takes to be involved with animals,” Horrigan said. “It’s a great way to look out into the world of agriculture with our young people, and they have a real involvement.”

After members of 4-H sang the National Anthem, the cannon was blasted, and the fair could officially begin.

The Chautauqua County Fair will be taking place through Sunday.