Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - Another summer staple, the Niagara County Fair, kicks off Wednesday and will feature rides, concerts, food and fun for kids. The event also spotlights farms and families.
"It's definitely a community atmosphere," says Vicki Smith, who says the fair hits the ground running. "We are bringing back our farm city breakfast at 8am, and that is a huge historical event that we've had in Niagara County Fair for several several years," says Smith, who adds this is the first breakfast held since before the pandemic. Smith estimates 600 people will take part in the breakfast.
Smith says the energy level is over the top, with vendors and entertainment tractors pulling in. The entertainment includes a game show for kids. "They set up their stage and the kids do different kinds of fun games. And then it correlates with a little glass-enclosed area where the kids are actually grabbing dollar bills out of the air," describes Smith. There are also shows with dogs and kangaroos, as well as a petting zoo. "We have our antique tractor parade that's [going to] go on Wednesday at 7 p.m.. That's always neat thing to bring back those old antique tractors."
Smith says kids in 4-H are in the spotlight during the fair. "The kids are working hard all year long, to get their animals show-worthy. They plan to spend a week there, and it's just really a showcase of their leadership skills," says Smith. "The parents with the 4-H program are leaders, the staff is just phenomenal, the self-confidence that is instilled in these children with everything they do all year long, and then come at the fair every year."
No fair is complete without food. "We have barbecue, we have empanadas, pizza, Greek food. I did see yesterday a Chinese food stand going up (Eastern Pearl), and we have a lot of fancy beverages this year to some different coffee cold brew coffee bubbles. Of course loganberry is a staple there," says Smith.
