Tired Iron will be bringing their antique farm equipment and a blacksmith to the Chenango County Fair for free shows each day. Free shows will also include Chi Chee the Clown, the WeeWeeWee Racing Pigs, Squawk the Bird Show, the West Hill Gypsy Vanners, and events by DCMO BOCES. (Photo by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango County Fair will return to the fairgrounds from August 10 to 14 for its 175th anniversary. This year’s theme is “Keeping Summer Traditions Alive for 175 Years.”

The annual event will kick off Wednesday, and Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman said the day will begin with a ribbon cutting to open the grounds and celebrate the 175th Anniversary.

“It’s the 175th anniversary of our current corporation, so there’s going to be a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m.,” Weidman said. “M&T Bank is sponsoring free admission all day long on Wednesday. Other activities for the day include the Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m. on the fairgrounds in front of the grandstand, a concert at 8 p.m. with Bruce Beadle and the Beadle Brothers, and we will close the celebration with fireworks at dusk ... sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union and American Fireworks.”

“The 175th Anniversary of the Chenango County Fair is something to celebrate,” noted Commerce Chenango President and CEO Kerri Green. “This ribbon cutting is a symbol of their perseverance over the years, the dedication of the local community and the countless volunteers that have kept this event going. It is certainly a cause for celebration, and I am honored that Commerce Chenango is a part of it. I look forward to opening day and encourage everyone to visit the fair this year and help support an event that has supported and drawn people to Chenango County for 175 years.”

The Chenango County Agricultural Society is a membership corporation that annually elects a nine-member Board of Directors who serve as volunteers. The organization was incorporated in 1847 and has managed the Chenango County Fair for 174 years at different locations in the City of Norwich and Chenango County. The Fairgrounds as we currently know it was formalized in and now spans thirty-five acres with eighteen permanent buildings.

The Chenango County Agricultural Society’s statement of purpose is to: “Present the annual Chenango County Fair held in August providing the best public awareness of our major industry — agriculture — and a showcase for local livestock, products, and entertainment. We are proud to note that our event is one of the longest-running annual events in Chenango County, as well as in New York State."

Support of the fair comes from Chenango County corporations and businesses and the dedication of the board … (and) volunteers and people involved in agriculture and related activities that have a love of community.

The full schedule of the fair can be found here.

Commerce Chenango Tourism is the official state Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA). As the TPA we administer the state matching funds program and promote the County’s events, festivals, tourism properties, natural resources, heritage areas and recreational opportunities as a vital component to Chenango’s quality of life.

Visit chenangotourism.com for more information on Commerce Chenango Tourism services and programs.

-Information provided by Commerce Chenango