Fair fun is back in Niagara County

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The sights, the sounds and the tastes are all back this week at the Niagara County Fairgrounds. On Wednesday, the fair kicked off with their annual farm city breakfast, with five days full of fair fun ahead.

"It's just a great community interaction with everyone here that can enjoy the day and kick it off right," said Justin Rogers, the executive director of the fair. "It brings everyone kind of back together, reminds them of the community connections that they have."

The fair is celebrating its 102nd anniversary at the fairgrounds this year — the 102nd time it has helped to connect the community.

"I think that's the best thing about county fairs, is the community coming together," said Oakley the Treeman, who travels all over with his homemade Treeman suit, which he wears on stilts. "I'm happy to be here and bring them something a little different."

Oakley is one of the acts at the fair that brings amusement, along with Niagara Down Under, where you can hold a baby kangaroo, or Pork Chop Review, where you can sing along with a pig.

"Everything your little heart can desire," Rogers said. "A fun fair experience, here at the Niagara County Fair."

Along with the attractions, there's also agricultural aspects and animals that 4-H members get to show off and share with fairgoers.

"Not everyone has access to agriculture like this, so it's really awesome to be able to help people have a positive impression of farm animals," said Michellynn Schroeder, who said she is part of the North East Herd of the 4-H. "The fair is what we work for all summer. We prepare our animals, we prepare our projects, we study, we practice, too -- it's just sort of the end goal in mind."

Schroeder said she's been showing animals with the 4-H at the fair for nine years, and she loves talking to the public and answering questions they might have about the animals.

"There's a lot to offer in 4-H, anyone can join 4H, and then get into STEM and public speaking and everything, so I really just love showing everyone what Niagara County and what 4H have to offer," Schroeder said.

Stop by the fair between July 31 and Aug. 4 to see the animals and attractions. For more information, visit their website here.