NORWICH – The 166th annual Chenango County Fair kicks-off today, bringing one of the county’s most enduring summertime traditions back to the fairgrounds on East Main Street in Norwich.

More than 40,000 people take to the fairgrounds every year for the spectacle of sights and sounds that make up the Chenango County Fair. With some big events on the agenda again this year, organizers say they are hoping for an even bigger turnout.

Mary Weidman, president of the Chenango Agricultural Society, said “We have a lot of good things lined up this year, so we are hoping people can come out and enjoy themselves ... It’s always a fun event that has something fun for everyone.”

The fair traditionally gets underway with the 4-H and Fireperson’s Parade, which steps-off at 7 p.m. at Midland Street and heads down East Main Street before finishing at the fairgrounds. Leading up to the parade, Tuesday is all about horse racing as the NYS Sire Stakes Harness Racing takes to the fairgrounds racetrack, said Weidman. Races start at 1 p.m. and continue throughout the day.

“We have one of the best harness tracks in the state, which is really quite an achievement for us,” said Weidman, noting that two records were broken in 2012 - one for trotters and the other for pacers. The day will be dedicated to Frank Tingley, a well-known harness racer from Afton and director of the Afton Fair.