MALONE — The Franklin County Fair will return for its 176th year of weeklong family-friendly fun, live entertainment and activities for all ages.
The fairgrounds will open with free admission this Friday, Aug. 7, as sneak peak of the week. Vendors will be open and games and rides will be running, Franklin County Fair President Dave Gokey. Tuesday, Aug. 7, will also be a free-admission day.
The fair officially opens Saturday at noon and runs until Aug. 16. Gokey said they anticipate at least 60,000 people to attend throughout the week.
“That’s based on last year’s numbers,” he said. “We had about 62,000. We expect the same or hopefully more.”
Gokey said fair-goers can anticipate the return of the classic events like the demolition derby immediately following the opening ceremony Saturday, tractor pulls, the talent show and several nights of live music.
“We’ve done something differently. Normally we have two country nights and one rock band,” Gokey said. “This year, we have two nights of rock and roll.”
The Gin Blossoms, with special guests Spin Doctors, take the stage Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.; on Aug. 18, up-and-coming country artist Dylan Marlow will perform with special guest Austin Snell at 7 p.m.; and the Great White and Sebastian Bach, the original voice of Skid Row, will play Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.
For the full schedule of shows, visit frcofair.com/schedule
This year, they also brought back the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, which he said hasn’t been included for several years, and The Black Cat Hell Drivers Thrill Show.
For the first time, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball will visit the fairgrounds for a tour and Q&A forum Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.
Gokey, who participated as a vendor for several fairs before joining the board six years ago, said it’s is a good place to see people you only see once or twice a year, but it’s also the best time to try new foods.
“Well, if anybody likes food, you won’t find any better food than the Franklin County Fair,” he said, emphasizing the return of the fair’s regular vendors and some new food options for attendees to discover this year.
Amusements of America will have the fairground mid-way packed with a full slate of rides for children and adults, and the fairgrounds will have their barns filled with livestock to highlight local agriculture.
“We have a barn full of horses. We have a barn full of cows. We have poultry, sheep, goats. I mean, there’s every kind of farm animal on display,” Gokey said.
For more information about the Franklin County Fair, visit frcofair.com