Wayne County Fair 2022

PALMYRA, N.Y. (WHEC) — For the first time since 2019, the Wayne County Fair in Palmyra will make its week-long return starting on Monday. Organizers are ready to welcome back all fairgoers as they prepare the fairgrounds this weekend.

After a three-year absence, the Fair in its 165th year is expected to draw numbers last seen before the pandemic.

"Hopefully everyone can come down to the fair, and have a great time," said Marion Food Stand Vendor Mo Oberdorf.

After months of planning the setup for the fair is finally happening. The fair was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but Board of Director Member Sarah Hamilton says a scaled-down version was held last year called the "Agextravaganza."

"We did have a small thing. It was a 3-day event focused on agriculture in the county. Had some rides, had some bands, and that was pretty much it," said Hamilton

Last year many out-of-town vendors opted to skip county fairs all across the state, due to covid restrictions on large gatherings. Hamilton says many longtime favorites such as Fowler’s Taffy, and Booths Waffles are returning this year.

"We do have lots of vendors coming in. Some of them have been with the fair for many, many years and those vendors, they’re our family. They are our fair family so we’re really excited to see them back," said Hamilton.

Local vendors say it’s great to be back as well.

"It’s going to be a great time to see people coming into the fairground, here just meeting. It’s been hard with covid, and I think it’s awesome that we have the opportunity to see new faces, old faces," said Oberdorf.

Booths serving food are making sure they have enough to feed the hungry fairgoers.

Maurina Schimdt at the Palmyra Macedon Rotary food booth is selling these items. "Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken, beverages, fries, onions rings. Yup, that’s what we got. The best fair, the best thing you can eat at the fair."

Wayne County residents like Lyn Vanlare are counting the hours for day 1 of the fair.

"I’ve been coming to the fair since I was a wee tot also, and so I’ve been involved around here with a lot of things, and it’s just great to have it back because it’s something that’s needed," said Vanlare.

Click here for the Wayne County Fair’s full schedule of events.