NORWICH – The 165th Chenango County Fair kicks off today, bringing one of the county’s longest lasting, most invaluable summertime traditions back to the fairgrounds on East Main Street.

Last year, more than 40,000 people flocked to the Fair to enjoy the sights, the sounds and the most exciting attractions Chenango County has to offer. Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman hopes for the same or better turnout.

“Everybody who comes to the fair has their own favorite thing that they look forward to,” she said. “People like to come back every year ... It’s a great opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and just have a good time.”

The focus is on returning to the area’s traditional county fair roots. While coordinators have worked tirelessly to get new and sometimes unexpected entertainers in recent years, local bands are on the lineup this year. Weidman said local entertainers used to be the norm at the fair.

“The fair’s a great gathering place. People of all ages can get together and we thought that local entertainment might bring back that old fair experience, before we started to get bigger names.”

The six-day exposition officially gets underway today. Gates open this afternoon and fair goers will be given free admittance throughout the day, courtesy of NBT Bank. The excitement begins at 1 p.m. as New York-bred trotters and pacers race 17 different heats during NYS Sire Stakes Harness racing.