Friday is First Responders Day at the Chemung County Fair in Horseheads. All first responders are admitted free.
Friday’s featured grandstand performance is Outlaw Series truck pulls. The show begins at 7 p.m.
The fair is open from noon to 10 p.m. Friday.
The fair kicked off Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 170 Fairview Rd. in Horseheads with a new ride company and some fresh attractions. It ends Saturday, Aug. 8.
Houghton Enterprises is filling up the fairgrounds with rides this year, taking over for Swikas Amusements.
The Chemung County Fair will wrap up with a bang Saturday night with a demolition derby for “the first time ever,” said fair board member Darryl Clark, followed by a fireworks show to cap off the week.
Fair Board President Mark Watts said this year’s fair will feature stronger agricultural participation, an expanded selection of food and commercial vendors, midway rides, live entertainment and traditional fair attractions.
“This year’s fair reflects the hard work of our exhibitors, volunteers, vendors and community partners,” Watts said. “We are seeing increased participation in our livestock barns and exhibit buildings, along with a much larger variety of food, shopping and activities for visitors. We have worked hard to improve the fair while keeping it affordable and preserving the traditions that generations of Chemung County families have enjoyed.”
Here’s what to know.
Chemung County Fair schedule
The fair is open from 4-10 p.m. on Tuesday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Wednesday-Saturday. Midway rides, games and attractions are open from 4-9 p.m., with grandstand events starting at 7 p.m.
Chemung County Fair admission
The Chemung County Fair provides an economical night of entertainment. Gate admission is $3, parking is $5 and kids 16 and under get in free. Grandstand event tickets and ride tickets are sold separately. The box office will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each night.
Gate admission and grandstand event tickets can also be purchased online, along with ride wristbands.
Chemung County Fair theme days
Most days of the fair have a theme with free admission for certain groups.
Chemung County Fair grandstand entertainment
Each night is highlighted by a featured grandstand performance. All grandstand shows start at 7 p.m. Here’s the schedule:
Free shows at Chemung County Fair
The fair also features several free shows throughout each day.
Performances include the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, a Moogican Magic and Variety Show, and the Flying Wallendas Trapeze Act, according to the fair.
More agriculture entries signed up for 2026 fair
Watts said livestock entry totals already showed substantial growth over last year as of July 31, with additional entries possible before the fair begins.
Livestock entries have increased from 354 in 2025 to 426 in 2026, an increase of more than 20 percent. Static exhibit entries have grown from 85 to 140, an increase of nearly 65 percent, according to Watts.
Notable areas of growth include dairy cattle, poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, photography, decorative arts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, sewing and needlepoint.
The fair will also feature 78 vendor and exhibitor spaces, a significant expansion from last year. Several vendors will operate multiple booths.
Vendors signed up for Chemung County Fair
Watts said the expanded lineup includes food and beverage vendors such as Aumick’s Eats, BC’s Food Truck, Boricombia, Grandma’s Sweet Revenge, Hurd’s Curds, Kiss My Waffle, Pepe’s BBQ, Small Town Sips Dirty Soda Company, Snowie Upstate and Wing It.
Visitors will also find local businesses, craft vendors, agricultural organizations, nonprofit groups and public agencies, including Arnot Health, Empire Access, Farmers Supporting Farmers, Moss Farms, the Chemung County Office for the Aging, the New York Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Recruiting Company.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: See Friday’s schedule for First Responders Day at Chemung County Fair
Reporting by Elmira Star-Gazette, USA TODAY Network / Elmira Star-Gazette
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By Elmira Star-Gazette, USA TODAY Network | USA TODAY Network
