Genesee County Fair

The show must go on.

At least, that’s what officials of the Genesee County Agricultural Society are hoping as they make plans to hold the Genesee County Fair this summer.

Agricultural Society Treasurer Norm Pimm this afternoon expressed optimism as he reported to the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee, which moments before voted in favor of allocating $11,000 in funding for 4-H judging expenses and 4-H premiums associated with the fair.

The 2021 fair is scheduled for July 24-31. Last year’s event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This year, we’re starting to see (that we’re) still creating a lot of excitement with the youth,” Pimm said. “There are 238 youth members in 4-H in Genesee County, across 23 clubs, and there are another 68 adult volunteers who help out with running those clubs.”

Pimm said fair organizers are awaiting guidance from the state as far as what can be done, including the setup of the midway.

“We’re going to try our best to move forward with the full fair. If not, we plan on definitely doing what we need last year – a scaled-back version with some of the youth shows,” he said.

Pimm said Genesee County will host the largest draft horse show in the state (outside of the NYS Fair in Syracuse) on July 23, the Friday before the official opening of the fair.

The next day will feature the Empire Classic Youth Sheep Show, which attracts participants from surrounding counties as well. Pimm said more than 70 took part in the show in 2020.

Other shows, including open beef and open swine, are set for July 25, with Genesee County 4-H-only shows scheduled throughout the week.

“Obviously, last year was not what we wanted as we had to cancel the fair. As far as we know we had the longest running fair – consecutive fair in New York, 181 years I believe,” Pimm advised. “But we were able to still have some youth shows. We thought it was important because some of the youth start their projects in November, so obviously, the November before last nobody knew what was going to happen.”

Pimm mentioned that the Agricultural Society did not accept county or state money last year due to the cancellation, but is appreciative of this year’s sponsorship.

“We didn’t take county funding last year,” he said. “We thought we would try to help the county out, but we can definitely use it this year and it will be put to really good use.”

Press release:

In light of the Governor’s press conference today, the Genesee County Ag Society and its volunteers that make the Genesee County Fair possible, have been receiving an abundance of emails and phone calls questioning whether we will be able to hold the Genesee County Fair for 2021.

At this time, while it is promising that the State Fair will go ahead with planning for the 2021 season, we, the county fairs, have not been given any guidance as to what or how we should be planning for Fair Season. 

The Genesee County Ag Society volunteers have been moving ahead with plans for the Genesee County Fair, to be held July 24-31.

In 2020, we were able to hold the Livestock shows for our youth and did so successfully. We are hoping to continue with that in 2021. We are looking to expand upon what we were able to do in 2020, but please know that we are working closely with Genesee County officials and our Genesee County Health Department so that we can keep our attendees safe while adhering to New York State Guidelines. 

We are hoping that, in the near future, the Governor and his office will be addressing how the county fairs should proceed so that we can move forward with some great entertainment and Livestock shows for our community.

Stay tuned, as we wish to keep the community and our supporters updated on how we are able to proceed with our Genesee County Fair July 24-31.

Press release:

The Genesee County Agricultural Society Inc. announced today that the Genesee County Fair, which was scheduled for July 25 through Aug. 1, will now be postponed until July 24-31, 2021.

It is with heavy hearts that the Ag Society Board of Directors had to make this call. The Board volunteers have been moving forward with plans to hold the fair in 2020, but with announcements by the New York Governor this month, it seems that the Fair would not be able to operate until the last phase of the New York State reopening.

Many factors were taken into consideration when making this decision, as it was not entered into lightly. Additional safety requirements, as we are seeing now in Phase One, would mean the preparation of buildings to safely move people in and out, as well as limiting the number of people on the grounds, all while trying to maintain the current six-foot social distancing rules.

"Our board is discussing the possibilities of having smaller events throughout the summer to try and support our Youth and agricultural community,” said Amanda Gallo, president of the Genesee County Ag Society.

“We are looking to New York State for guidance on Phase Four reopenings and once we have those guidelines, we can better prepare for our grounds to reopen for these events. But, in the meantime, our volunteers are working hard to put together a great Fair for July 24-31, 2021!"

Keep up to date with Fairgounds events by following the Fair here.

The Genesee County Agricultural Society Inc. is made up of volunteers who reside in Genesee County and are the organizers of the Genesee County Fair. They are the owners and operators of the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Route 5 in Batavia.

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Earlier today, The Batavian was first to report the cancellation of the Wyoming County Fair in Pike and that a decision was about to be made regarding the Genesee County Fair. Click here to read that report.

The Wyoming County Fair in Pike and several other fairs in neighboring counties have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic while the status of the Genesee County Fair in Batavia could be determined in the next day or so.

Currently, the Genesee County Fair, scheduled for July 25 through Aug. 1, is still on, according to Agricultural Society President Amanda Gallo.

“No decision has been made at this time, but there is a District 8 (Zoom) meeting this evening that I will be taking part in,” Gallo said.

The meeting will include representatives of the seven-county District 8 of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs.

Per the Genesee County Fair website, fair personnel have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely and working with health and state officials concerning the status of the fair.

Jerry Davis, chair of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, confirmed that the Pike Fair that was slated for Aug. 15-22 has been cancelled for this year.

Echoing feelings of Genesee County government officials, Davis said he is “holding out hope that we’ll be able to move into Phase Two” of the state’s reopening plan on Friday.

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction Program is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this summer! In recognition of this milestone, the 4-H Program is seeking photos, news articles and memorabilia from throughout its 50 years to be used in a display at the Genesee County Fair.    

If you have photos or items to share, please drop them off or mail to: CCE Genesee, 420 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020; or email to genesee4h@cornell.edu.  

Please mark your calendars for the 50^th Annual Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction on Thursday, July 30^th, at the Genesee County Fair in Batavia.

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Today is the final day of the 180th Genesee County Fair so it's also your last day to have fun on the Midway. The midway opens at noon.

Saturday, July 20 – Family Day/ Drive Your Tractor to the Fair Day

• 8:30 a.m. – NIOGA Dairy Show (Main Show Ring)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Gymkhana Division (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon -- Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
• Noon – Midway Opens, Wristband Special from Noon to 4 p.m.
• 4 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
• 6 p.m. – Racing at Genesee Speedway
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – Under the Gun (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Friday, July 19th – CELEBRATE 4H DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – English & Dressage Division (Horse Arena)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Beef Team Fitting Competition (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon – 4-H Horses must be removed from 4-H Horse Barn
• Noon – 4-H Livestock Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
• 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Club Butter Making Activity (Kennedy Building)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 5:30 p.m. – 4-H Tractor Driving Contest
• 6 p.m. – NIOGA Dairy Showmanship (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – Demolition Derby (Grandstands)
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – MAC (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

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Thursday, July 18th – KId's Day / HP HOOD DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Main Show Ring)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Western Division (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 12 - 10 p.m. – Midway Opens - Kids 16 & Under Ride for $10/wristband
• 12:30 p.m. – Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
• 6:45 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Awards Ceremony (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Sale Begins (Main Show Ring)
• 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Band – Savage Cabbage (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Red Creek performed at the Genesee County Fair on Wednesday. Here's their version of "What I Like About You."

Tonight, Savage Cabbage takes the stage at 7:30.

Wednesday, July 17th – EMERGENCY RESPONDER’S NIGHT

• 8:30 a.m. – OPEN Class Swine must be in place
• 9 a.m. – 4H Horse may arrive
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Hog Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H & Open Class Goats must be removed from Goat Barn (Except Market
• Auction Goats)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Milking Dairy Cows must be in place
• 10 a.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon – 4-H Sheep Show (Main Show Ring)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens, (Weather permitting)
• 2 p.m. – 4H Horses must be in place
• 5:30 p.m. – Fair Parade Line Up (Racing Pit Area)
• 6:30 p.m. – Fair Parade
• 7 p.m. – Band – Red Creek (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Press release:

Due to the weather on Wednesday, July 17th, the Genesee County Fair is moving Kids Day to Thursday this week. Midway ride wristbands will cost $10 each and will be good to ride all of the rides here at the Fair from noon – 10 p.m. James E. Strates Shows is providing the midway this year and have brought rides for fairgoers of all ages. Be sure to take advantage of this great offer!

Once again this year, admission to the fair is only $5 per carload. For a complete listing of events and special day deals during fair week, visit gcfair.com. Keep up to date on the latest happenings at the Fair on our Facebook page facebook.com/thegeneseecountyfair/

The band BB Dang performed at the Genesee County Fair last night.

BB Dang is based in Rochester but features on bass Cameron Carlson, a ninth-grader at Byron-Bergen High School.

The rest of the band is Michael Valle (drums) Alex Sherwood (guitar) Greg Gutch (guitar) Ben Guisto (vocals) Isabella Barbagallo (vocals) Dominic Bonacci (keyboard).

The group came together through Camp Roc Star, a project of Elvio Fernandes, a member of the band Daughtry.

There is live music at the fair every night through Saturday.

Tuesday, July 16th – sponsored by ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH

• 9 a.m. – Halter Class – Draft Horses (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Cloverbud Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 11 a.m. – 4-H Dairy & Meat Goat Show (Main Show Ring)
• Immediately followed by Open Class Goat Show
• Noon – OPEN Draft Hitch Show (Horse Arena)
• 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 2 – 10 p.m. -- Faith at the Fair (Entertainment Tent)
• 5 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Hog Show (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – Fair Barn Dance (Open Dairy Barn)
• 9 p.m. – 4-H & Open Class Goats Released (Except Market Auction Goats)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Mark Barie and his team from Lor-Rob Farms in East Bethany were repeat winners at the Genesee County Fair yesterday in the six-horse draft competition.