The 4-H livestock auction in the Follett show ring will include two sheep raised by Oxford sisters Grace Hodge and Cora Hodge. (Photo by Kelcie Stark)

NORWICH — The Chenango County Fair opened on Wednesday and will be in town until Sunday, August 13 for its 176th year.

Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman said, “Thursday is Senior Day. The Office for the Aging coordinates a senior day. They do music and entertainment at the entertainment tent, and they’re going to be doing some different events for people.”

Also, Thursday will have the Chenango Out of Field Tractor Pull at 9 a.m., in the entertainment tent there will be drawings and displays and a beauty pageant for children and teens at 5 p.m.. The evening shows finish with the NYTPA Tractor Pull at 7 p.m. at the grandstand.

In the entertainment tent on Friday, Joe Lombardi performs at 1 p.m. Followed by Luke Poole at 4:30 p.m. and karaoke at 5 p.m. The New York State Hot Farm Tractor pull begins at 7 p.m. The Coleman Brothers at the midway will be selling wristbands for rides from 8 to 11 p.m. and are good until the clock strikes midnight. Saturday will also be packed with musical performances, including the Norwich City Band playing at 10:30 a.m., Krystal Lee the Country Sweetheart performing at 3 p.m., Reba McEntire Tribute Artist at 5 p.m., and Critical Path finishing the shows at 8:30 p.m. All performances will be in the entertainment tent.

Sunday will be the last day for the 2023 Chenango County Fair; with performances by Caitlyn May at 11:30 and The Beadle Brothers at 3 p.m. The day will also be host to two demolition derbies at 1 and 7 p.m. at the grandstand.

In addition to the grandstand events, the fair will feature 4H exhibitions each day beginning on the first day of the fair through the last day. A 4H livestock auction held at 6 p.m. in the Follett Show Ring on Friday, the 11th.

DCMO BOCES will also be hosting events in the conservation area.

"We’re hopeful that everybody comes and has a good time. There’s going to be lots of good food and hopefully the weather holds out and it stays nice and cool for us,” Weidman said.

The Chenango County Fair is made possible by several sponsors as well as the hard work and dedication of the nine-member Agricultural Society board and numerous volunteers.

General admission to the Chenango County Fair is $8 for individuals aged 13 years or older, $5 for children aged five to 12, and children under five years old get in free.

Chenango County residents, ages 18 and older, can purchase a Chenango County Agriculture Membership ticket for $30. The membership allows general admission into the fair every day and also entrance to three grandstand events; with the exception of the contracted rodeo event. Members also receive free parking and may participate at the annual meeting in November.

Youth membership for ages 17 and under can be purchased for $20 and allows free fair admission every day and also the three grand stand events; excluding the rodeo. Membership ticket does not include rides at the midway.

All five days of the Chenango County Fair will be filled with entertainment, activities, carnival rides, agriculture, and more. According to Weidman, Saturday will be a Kids Day at the fair, and Thursday will be Senior Day.

More information on the Chenango County Fair can be found at ChenangoFair.com or on the Chenango County Fair Facebook page.