America’s Fair Blog

Auditions for the 2009 Pepsi Cola Marching Band will take place on Monday, June 1, 2009 in the Agri-Center on The Fairgrounds in Hamburg.

All WNY High School students (grades 9-12) that play calrinet, flute, piccolo, saxophone, cymbals, trumpet, bass drum, snare, drum, trombone, tuba, bells, french horn, sousaphone, mellophone, quads or euphonium are invited to try out for the 2009 season.

Approximately 75 musicians will be accepted; students need to be available to play at the various events during the Erie County Fair, which runs August 12-23, including the Daily Parade and various events throughout the community in July & August.  There will also be rehearsals twice per week in June.

Applications are available at all Erie County High Schools or by calling Russ Marquart at (716) 649-3900 ext 403 or rmarquart@americas-fair.org.  Applications must be submitted to the Erie County Fair Pepsi Cola Marching Band, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg, NY 14075 by May 22, 2009.

Kids 12 and under will not have to pay admission to get into the Fair this year, August 12-23, 2009.  With support from Tops Friendly Markets, the Erie County Fair decided to drop gate admission fees for children 12 & under in an effort to further make the fair an affordable event.  For the last several years admission for children 6-12 was $4.00. 

Did you pick up a scholarship application yet?  The Erie County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the Erie County Fair, and Fairgrounds Gaming give out over $14,000 in scholarship money annually.  High school seniors and/or college students can be eligible for this money.  Students who are actively involved in Erie County Fair activities (including, but not limited to; junior exhibit competition, Erie County Fair Marching Band, 4-H or F.F.A. Fair activities) and are high school seniors residing in and attending a high school in Erie County or a student attending college, through their junior year are eligible for our scholarship program.

Hurry, applications are due April 17, 2009!

Download an application here.

If you have any questions regarding this scholarship program, please feel free to contact Russell Marquart, CFE at 649-3900 ext 403.

Jake Owen will perform at the Buffalo.com Grandstand at the Erie County Fair on August 17th.  This concert is included with your gate admission.*

Jake Owen sings songs such as “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You”, “Eight Second Ride”, and “Startin’ with me” and “Yee Haw.”

Jake Owen’s journey began in 2006 with the release of his debut album on RCA Nashville, “Startin’ With Me.” The insightful title cut from that project hit the country top ten, leading to Jake’s first ACM nomination for Top New Male Vocalist this past weekend.* Gate admission tickets will go on sale at Tickets.com outlets inside Tops Markets starting June 6.

Tickets for concerts at the Erie County Fair are on sale now at all Tickets.com locations including online, Tops Markets, the Agri-Center or charge by phone at 1-888-223-6000. 

 This year, we are featuring Montgomery Gentry (August 13), George Thorogood and the Destroyers & Jonny Lang (August 15), Brooks & Dunn ( August 16) and Steve Miller Band (August 19).

 For more information including ticket prices and times, click here.