The Chemung County Fair opens for its 182nd year Wednesday, and regular fairgoers will notice some major changes.
For one, the fair used to operate over six days, Tuesday through Sunday. This year, the event will be four days and will wrap up Saturday.
That’s being done as a cost-saving measure, primarily due to labor laws that require overtime for people who work the fair rides, according to Mark Watts, president of the Chemung County Agricultural Society, which runs the fair.
“When it was six days, people came to the fair when it opened at noon, but rides couldn’t open until 4 p.m.,” Watts said. “With four days, we can open the rides at 1 p.m.”
The fair will be open from noon to 10 p.m. each day at the Chemung County Fairgrounds, 171 Fairview Road in Horseheads.
Other changes people will notice this year are a lot more rides and free band performances every day, along with reduced daily admission from $5 to $2, Watts said.
“We’ll also have theme days every day,” he said. “It will be veteran’s day Wednesday and all veterans can get in free. Thursday is senior citizen day and Friday first responders can get in free. Saturday is family day and everyone will get in free.”
The free and reduced price admission is thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, Watts said.
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Headline entertainment for this year’s fair will be popular country band the Oak Ridge Boys, who will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as part of their farewell tour. There will also be a demolition derby Wednesday, a tractor pull and fireworks display Friday, and another tractor pull Saturday.
As always, the fair will feature a range of agricultural exhibits, including livestock, produce and flowers. Other entertainment will include a magician, a hypnotist and a vintage car show.
For more information on the Chemung County Fair, go to chemungcountyfair.com.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung County Fair opens 2024 schedule at fairgrounds in Horseheads
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