NY's last fair with free admission celebrating 70 years

The last fair in New York and one of the last fairs in the country with free admission and entertainment is celebrating 70 years this July. The Greene County Youth Fair is set for July 25 through 28.

CAIRO, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The last fair in New York and one of the last fairs in the country with free admission and entertainment is celebrating 70 years this July. The Greene County Youth Fair is set for July 25 through 28.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets officially recognized the Greene County Youth Fair as an agricultural fair in 1954. After being held at the Durham School for 38 years, the fair found its new home at Angelo Canna Town Park in Cairo, where it has been ever since.

The Greene County Youth Fair celebrates the accomplishments of local youth who will keep the agricultural legacy alive. The fair attracts more than 20,000 people each year.

To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the theme for the 2024 fair is "Back to the '70s." Unlike other fairs, the Greene County Youth Fair has no rides and instead heavily focuses on agricultural exhibits and demonstrations.

"What makes our fair special is the kids' hard work and their families supporting them," said Alex Johnk, the President of the Greene County Agricultural Society. "Our fair isn't about the bright flashy lights of the midway. Our focus is on the kids and celebrating their achievements."

The Greene County Youth Fair is run by a team of volunteers, including those on the Greene County Agricultural Society board. Although a large part of the operating budget comes from the Greene County Legislature, they accept donations and actively fundraise so the fair can remain free each year.

"It is truly a community effort," said Johnk. "It takes hours of work from all our volunteers throughout the year."

The 2024 fair schedule includes poultry, goat, dairy, rabbit, dog, beef, alpaca/llama, horse, swine, and sheep shows, Dock Dogs, Irish step dancing, K9 demonstrations, tractor pulls, a woodsman competition, live music, and much more. You can view the full schedule of events on the Greene County Youth Fair website.