Oswego County Fairgrounds
| Oswego County Fairgrounds | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Oswego County Fairgrounds | |
| Location | Sandy Creek, New York |
| Coordinates | 43°39′30″N 76°05′25″W / 43.6583°N 76.0902°W |
| Area | 50 acres (20 hectares) |
| Operator | Oswego County Agricultural Society |
| Status | Open |
| Website | Official website |
The Oswego County Fairgrounds is the home of the annual Oswego County Fair. The fairgrounds are open year-round and host a number of events. It is located on Ellisburg Street in Sandy Creek, New York.
History
In spring 1840 the Oswego County Agricultural Society was organized and the first fair exhibit was held in the city of Oswego, New York, the following October. In subsequent years the fair moved from town to town, and in 1855 the Agricultural Society chose Mexico, New York, as the permanent location for the county fair. The grounds consisted of 14 acres purchased from Orson Ames. Due to financial difficulties, the last fair was held in Mexico in 1887 and the annual fair continued to be held in a variety of locations.[1]
The 1937 Oswego County Fair joined with the pre-existing regional fair at the Sandy Creek Fairgrounds, which then became the lasting venue for the county fair.[2][3] The Sandy Creek, Richland, Orwell and Boylston Agricultural Society had conducted an annual fair since 1858 on the land donated by Oren R. Earl, and participation had already grown to include the neighboring towns of Ellisburg, Lorraine, Redfield, Albion, Williamstown and Parish.[4]
Events
Oswego County Fair
The annual fair brings rides, food, live music and myriad attractions to the region for five days. Recent draws have included a rodeo, demolition derby, and truck and tractor pulls.[5][6]
Family Fall Festival
The fall event provides a carnival atmosphere, complete with rides, festival foods, live music, and a host of vendors offering products made locally.[7] Featured activities include a Scarecrow Contest for children.[8]
Stock car racing
Operating as the North Country Speedway (aka Sandy Creek Speedway), the fairground's harness racing track hosted the inaugural season for the NASCAR Sportsman Division (predecessor of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series).[9][10][11][12] In 1951 a second inner 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) oval was added to the facility's 1⁄2-mile (0.80 km) dirt oval.[13]
References
- ↑ "Oswego County Fair at Mexico". Mexico Historical Society. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Low tax rate for Oswego County". Mexico Independent. NY. December 10, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved August 5, 2026 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ↑ Watson, Elmo Scott (July 1, 1937). "Curiosa Americana". Fulton Patriot. p. 3. Retrieved August 6, 2026 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ↑ "Historian's Corner". Sandy Creek, NY History Center. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Ostrander, Dale (June 30, 2023). "The Oswego County Fair brings back small-town charm after pandemic hurdles". Syracuse NY: WSTM-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Perkins, Mike (June 30, 2026). "County fair to feature rodeo for the first time". Palladium Times. Oswego NY. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Johnson, Mike (October 4, 2021). "2021 Family Fall Festival Draws Enthusiastic Crowd To Oswego County Fairgrounds". Syracuse NY: Oswego County Today. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Saffer, Matthew (August 16, 2024). "Oswego County scarecrow contest at the Family Fall Festival". Syracuse NY: WSTM-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Stock Car races to be held here in beginning in May". Sandy Creek News. NY. March 23, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
- ↑ "Stock car racing at Sandy Creek fairgrounds". Commercial Advertiser. Potsdam Junction NY. May 16, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2026 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ↑ "Palladium Times". Oswego NY. June 6, 1951. p. 12 – via Fultonhistory.com.
- ↑ "Sandy Creek Speedway". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "New Quarter mile track underway for stock cars". Sandy Creek News. NY. May 3, 1951. p. 1 – via Fultonhistory.com.