Here's something a lot of New Yorkers don't realize: you don't have to leave the five boroughs to find a real county fair. The city and its edges have a handful of old-fashioned fairs with livestock, rides, and pie-eating contests, no upstate road trip required. Here are the ones still ahead of us this summer.
Richmond County Fair (Staten Island): September 5 to 7
The Richmond County Fair traces its roots to 1895, and Historic Richmond Town has hosted the event since 1980. Each Labor Day weekend, more than 15,000 visitors gather across the historic campus, which is transformed into a vibrant 25-acre celebration of Staten Island’s community, culture and traditions.
The fair features carnival rides and games, more than 100 food, antique and community vendors, a three-day music festival showcasing Staten Island-based acts, and living-history demonstrations such as carpentry, tinsmithing and broom making. It all takes place within New York City’s most complete outdoor living-history village and open-air museum.
The fair is also Historic Richmond Town’s biggest annual fundraiser. Ticket proceeds support the care of 38 historic structures across 112 acres and help provide educational programming to more than 25,000 students each year.
Find a fair near you atFindYourFair.com.
Long Island Fair (Old Bethpage): September 25 to 27
Just past the city line, the Long Island Fair is one of the oldest county fairs in America, tracing its roots to 1842. It's held at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a recreated 19th-century village, so the whole thing has a wonderfully old-time feel: prize-winning produce, antique crafts, and agricultural competitions the way they used to be. It's a lovely late-September send-off to summer.
Find a fair near you at FindYourFair.com.
Queens County Farm Agriculture Fair (Queens): October 1 to 4
Tucked into Floral Park, the Queens County Farm Museum sits on the largest remaining piece of undisturbed farmland in the city, and its annual fall Agriculture Fair is a genuine slice of country life inside Queens. Expect livestock, hayrides, contests, and homegrown fun.
Find a fair near you at FindYourFair.com.
Yes, the city has county fairs
You really are never far from fun, even in the five boroughs. From Staten Island's historic village to a working farm in Queens, every fair is waiting for you at FindYourFair.com.