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Third-largest county fair in North America
Wins 10 first-place awards in international competition
A ranking of top fairs and exhibitions has named the Erie County Fair the 10th largest fair in North America in 2014. CarnivalWarehouse.com publishes the ranking of fairs, based on attendance, annually. The list includes all county and state fairs, exhibitions, livestock and rodeo shows in the U.S. and Canada.
"This historic ranking is something that the entire Buffalo-Niagara region can take pride in accomplishing," said Jessica Underberg, assistant fair manager. "When looking at the ranking, you need to consider that the Erie County Fair outdraws most of the state fairs in the United States."
In August, the Erie County Fair celebrated its 175th fair and experienced a record-setting number of visitors. Attendance of 1,220,101 broke the previous record set in 2013 by 5 percent.
Tenth place is the best North American ranking received by the Erie County Fair in the modern era of fair tabulations. The 2014 Erie County Fair was highlighted by the opening of the Agriculture Discovery Center, a 1,400-foot skywalk by Nik Wallenda, an opening-day performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the celebration of a 90-year partnership with the James E. Strates Shows midway.
In addition, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions recently announced the Erie County Fair the winner of 31 awards. The Erie County Fair competed in a divisional class that consisted of fairs with attendance of over 1 million, which puts the Erie County Fair in the same class as many of the largest state fairs.
The Erie County Fair won in the following categories:
AGRICULTURAL AWARDS
1st Place - What was newly established or developed at your fair to promote agriculture
1st Place - Fair and Sponsor/Partner Joint Exhibit Program
1st Place - Printed Material
1st Place - Video of a Special or Unique Event for Exhibitors or the Fairgoing Public
1st Place - Agriculture Photo
2nd Place - Special or Specific Event for Agricultural Exhibitors
2nd Place - Special or Specific Agricultural Educational Event, Exhibit or Program for the Fairgoing Public
2nd Place - Program Designed to Correct an Issue or Problem Related/Competitive or Non-Competitive Ag Program
3rd Place - Consumer Awareness in the Agricultural Environment
3rd Place - Agriculture Photo Series - Five photos of exhibitor with his prize-winning cow
HALL OF HONOR COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
1st Place - Unique Advertising Specialties/Merchandise/Souvenirs
1st Place - Web Advertising
1st Place - Overall Mobile Campaign
1st Place - Mobile App
2nd Place - Overall Social Media Campaign
2nd Place - Misc. Marketing/Promotional Display or Piece
3rd Place - Best Marketing Campaign
3rd Place - Promotional Advertising - Outdoor
3rd Place - Television
3rd Place - Promotional Poster
3rd Place - Printed Promotional Materials
3rd Place - Commemorative Poster
3rd Place - Promotional Event
COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS AWARDS
1st Place - Competitive exhibits display photo (tied)
2nd Place - General display photo
2nd Place - Display method or prop
2nd Place - New or unique division
2nd Place - Create it on the spot
2nd Place - Participatory contest
3rd Place - Unique contest
3rd Place - General display series
The awards were presented at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas held in early December. More than 2,000 fairs, festivals, expositions and suppliers in the U.S. and internationally are members of IAFE.
The basic purpose of the Erie County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York. The fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of all that visit the fair.
In 2015, the 176th Erie County Fair will take place Aug. 12-23.