“Things looked uncertain for awhile and we got a late start, but we pulled it off.”

That’s how Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society president John Charlesworth described this year’s 178th annual Cattaraugus County Fair.

“Great weather, tremendous record-breaking crowds and lots of happy fair visitors made for a terrific week,” Charlesworth said. “We’re still crunching the numbers, but by late Friday afternoon, we had surpassed our paid attendance record — and we still had Saturday to go.”

Grandstand shows proved popular this year, Charlesworth said, with Monday night’s demolition derby, both monster truck shows and Saturday night’s big rig truck pull selling out the more than 3,000 seats on the grandstand as well as the bleachers. All other shows, from country music featuring Jordan Davis/Jake Hoot and Justin Moore/Hootz on consecutive days to Broken B rodeo and Freebird, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, were well attended, Charlesworth said.

Livestock, dairy and horse department superintendents report entries remain high as in previous years. Entrants come from all over Cattaraugus County, as well as neighboring counties in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania. 4-H and Domestic departments were well represented showcasing the talents folks have worked on since the last fair.

Following COVID protocol, extra grounds help was hired to disinfect several times daily. All buildings, permanent food stands and most vendors were well equipped with hand sanitizer. More than 6,000 individual sanitizers, provided by the county, were distributed. Mask wearing was voluntary and fair officials did not ask for proof of vaccination. More than two dozen vaccines were given by the Cattaraugus County Health Department in its spot in the grandstand.

“This year continues to have its challenges, but the health and safety of our visitors has always been a top priority and this year was no different,” Charlesworth said.

Charlesworth and the fair board of directors thanked all those who visited, worked, volunteered, exhibited and otherwise enjoyed the fair this year.

“It’s pretty remarkable that on just 34 acres in the heart of the county, you can enjoy the best in agricultural achievements, prime music and motorsports entertainment and a broad array of family fun all in a span of seven days in early August,” Charlesworth said.

Next year’s fair is tentatively set for July 31 through Aug. 6, 2022.