File photo A Holstein dairy cow class enters the ring during the dairy Open Class show last year.

New and familiar faces and events are set to appear at this year’s Chautauqua County Fair.

The fair officially opens next week and ends on July 23. According to fair president Dave Wilson, Tuesday is the first day that tickets will be collected, though 4-H animal exhibitors will move in Sunday and there will be a few animal shows happening on Monday. Wilson said there will not be enough time Tuesday through Sunday for all of the animal shows, which is why the carnival does not open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The overall grand opening of the fair will be 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Some of the grandstand shows are new this year, though some are familiar. Horse harness racing will happen Monday; the demolition derby will be on Tuesday; bull riding on Wednesday; the Empire State Truck and Tractor Pull will be on Thursday; the Black Cat Hell Drivers on Friday; and the demolition derby on Saturday.

The Midway will once again be run by Powers and Thomas. There will also be some new food vendors, after some decided to retire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As far as the 4-H section of the fair goes, Wilson said everything is looking good so far.

“All of the barns should be full,” Wilson said. “You never really know until they get here. … It’s kind of like Christmas. Ready or not, here it comes.”

Wilson enjoys the entirety of the fair week, especially since he begins to help set it up back in January and February.

“I enjoy knowing that it is coming and then it gets here and people always have a good time,” he said. “Then I people watch, and if the people seem like they are happy then I am happy. If there are some little things that I forget, no one else knows and no one cares. If the people are happy I consider it a success.”

The 4-H animal meat sale is once again planned for Friday on July 21. Wilson said it should be basically the same as every year. Expected animals include sheep, hogs, chickens, goats and beef.

Pre-sale tickets for the Chautauqua County Fair are on sale now for $10 and can be purchased at various locations throughout the county.

“Where else can you go for $10 and have a good time, enjoy, rest and carry on?” Wilson said. “Even tickets at the gate are $15, so that’s a good deal, especially if you have not been to the fair before or haven’t been in a long time. We pride ourselves in putting on a good show.”

Wilson encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the fair this year.

More information on this year’s Chautauqua County Fair can be found on Facebook or at chautauquacofair.org.