Organizers, vendors, performers, competitors and fairgoers are preparing for next week’s 138th Delaware County Fair in Walton.
The fair is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17 to Saturday, Aug. 22.
Jason Craig, the president of the fair board, said Friday, Aug. 14 that he expects overall attendance to be about the same as last year: 80,000.
Delaware County’s population was roughly 44,000 people in 2025, according to a U.S. Census.
“We’ve got a lot of volunteers, a lot of people that pour their heart and soul into our event,” Craig said, who is a volunteer himself.
Like many area county fairs, the festivities will include recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary of the signing of its Declaration of Independence.
“We’ll be giving away 500 (American) flags at the gate daily,” Craig said. “We will also be giving away 250 bicycles on Children’s Day, which is Tuesday.”
While the fair celebrates America’s history and includes all the traditional animal competitions common at county fairs like Delaware County’s, some animals native to farther flung regions of the world are planned to be on site.
“We have a group called Hot Diggity Dogs, which features pigs and dogs who do acrobats, and they also offer all-day camel rides,” Craig said. He added that “we’ve got Niagara Down Under, which will have kangaroos and wallabies and all that good stuff.”
“We’ll have over 1,400 head of animals on the fairgrounds all week long,” Craig said.
In addition, he said there are about 200 vendors expected at the fair, 40 to 50 of which are food. Rides, a hypnosis show, a diving competition, a Michael Jackson impersonator and many other activities are planned.
Craig said the week’s headline performer is Chubby Checker, whose concert will be free. Checker, known for popularizing the Twist, is an inductee at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Event details
The daily admission price for the fair is $10. A $20 season pass grants entry for a full week. Children age 12 and younger will be offered free admission.
Rides with Dreamland Amusements are $35 for all day rides.
Parking is free. Smoking is allowed outside, but the fair asks that people be courteous, Craig said. Unless a service animal, pets are not permitted.
To see full event details, visit www.delawarecountyfair.org.