ANGELICA, N.Y. — From the fairgrounds in Angellica, Allegany County, crews were preparing for the annual spring auction, less than a few months away from the much anticipated 180th county fair, July 15-20.

"It's getting pretty exciting," said David Jennings, president of the Allegany County Fair Board.

What You Need To Know

  •  Fair  season across the state is on the horizon

  •  Allegany County is set to get a sizeable federal grant for upgrades to the fairgrounds in Angelica

  • The fair worked with Allegany County leaders on putting the grant application together for Congressman Nick Langworthy

The County Fair Board is part of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, that meets about once a year as a group, generally in Syracuse.

"We discuss things that work at a fair, what doesn't work. How things went on a particular event. We discuss things that we could do to improve our fairs," said Jennings.

Allegany County recently awarded a federal grant of more than $425,000 to revamp the fairgrounds in time for next year's event.

Jennings says major needed improvements include new roofs for all of the animal barns, electrical upgrades, and paving, as he showed us how the blacktop has deteriorated over the years.

"We've been working on it for like two years, to figure out how we could afford to do it," he said. "The year we did not have the fair really hurt the pocketbook as being able to afford things because our expenses just kept right on a going while we had COVID."

The fair board worked with Allegany County legislators to identify the improvements and create a budget as part of the grant request.

"It's really good that we can demonstrate that we can put together a project," said Tim Boyde, interim economic development director for Allegany County. "We have a commitment, and we have some resources and have some opportunities to find funding for worthy projects."

Tim says infrastructure improvements will expand county tourism, boost the economy and open up the grounds beyond the fair that draws about 50,000 visitors from all corners of the state each year.

"County fairs are such a fabric of the community. It really helps to bring people back and connect them with the community," said Boyde.

Spectrum News One first saw that, when our cameras last visited the fair in 2010.

Jennings says the improvements will help enhance the fair experience

"The safety of our people coming to the fair and the safety of the vendors here," he said.

Circle your calendar, the Great New York State Fair this year from Aug. 21 through Sept. 2.