The Cattaraugus County Fair is set to return at the end of the week, with an extended eight day week along with a new midway company and other returning favorites. P-J file photo

LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Fair is welcoming both new and old attractions to the fairgrounds as it is set to return at the end of the week.

The fair will be an eight day fair this season, running from Saturday, July 27 to Saturday, Aug 3. Cattaraugus County Fair Secretary, Nell Fellows, said along with this, there will be a new company in charge of the Midway rides too.

“The Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society is pleased to welcome Amusements of America as our midway company,” Fellows said. “This company is new to us, but they have a great reputation as a clean and fun outfit. Over 20 midway rides are expected. Perennial favorites are expected such as swings, a ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. We’re expecting some new and exciting rides as well.”

Senior day will be on Tuesday, July 30, with seniors age 62 and older being admitted for eight dollars all day. Youth day is July 29, where youth age fifteen and under are admitted for eight dollars between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Youth can ride the midway into the evening, but the specially priced ticket must be purchased within those hours.

General gate admission tickets are $15 when the fair opens on July 27. Presale tickets are currently on sale for $12 until the end of the day on July 26. Tickets can be found at the fair office, 501 Erie Street, online at cattarauguscofair.com, or at all Cattaraugus County Bank locations, Olean area Community Bank locations, South Dayton Super Duper, and Cattaraugus County Employees Association Credit Union in Little Valley. Tickets will be required for all grandstand shows and are available at the fair’s ticket outlet, ETIX.com.

Returning grounds entertainment includes; Sea Lion Splash, Pratt Family Chainsaw Carvers, Indian River Olde Time Lumberjacks, the Magic of Lance Gifford, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs; Horses, Horses, Horses; and the Blaszak’s Tiger Show which starts Monday, July 29. New Grounds Entertainment will be the Central K9 Performance Dogs.

Blaszak’s Tigers is shown by Bruno Blaszak as he introduces fair goers to his family of Bengal Tigers, promising to deliver a “thrilling show which combines education and entertainment for all to enjoy.” The show will occur three times daily beginning Monday.

Magician Lance Gifford has performed all over the United States for more than 30 years, and is an award winning entertainer. His show will be free with gate admission.

A returning favorite will be the Sea Lion Splash, featuring both California and South American sea lions. The sea lions balance balls, shoot hoops, dance, perform handstands, and show off their smiles. The natural exhibit is presented in a tropical setting with rocks, palm trees, waterfalls, foliage and two pools.

Swifty Swine Racing Pigs shows Swifty and his friends in a pig race for the Oreo cookie at the end of the line, and taking a nap afterwards to prepare for the next race. Swifty Swine has traveled all over the United States.

Horses, Horses, Horses, is another returning favorite put on by Lisa Dufresne, who has turned her love of animals into a lifelong career. From her youngest days growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, her natural skill with horses led to a career performing, choreographing and competing with her horses. With more than twenty years experience training animal acts of all kinds, her performances with her animals have delighted audiences across the world. Lisa’s horses have waltzed their way into Japan, danced in the Main Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and circled the United States for various circuses, stage shows, fairs and horses theaters, including a number of years performing with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

“People should know we have a wide variety of entertainment packed into a small hometown county fair,” Fellows said. “Patrons can spend a day here and probably not see everything we have to offer. Grounds shows, exhibits, 4-H and open class animal shows, horse shows start each morning and continue into the evening daily. Not to mention the first class entertainment in front of the grandstand.”

Grandstand shows will include; the Big Rig Truck Pull on Saturday, the Broken B Rodeo on Sunday, the Demolition Derby on Monday, the country music concert put on by Tyler Hubbard on Tuesday, the country music concert by Cooper Allen on Wednesday, the Western New York Tractor Pullers Thursday, Friday and Saturday monster truck shows, with Saturday’s being in the afternoon and a Demolition/School Bus demo in the evening. All shows except Thursday’s will require a separate ticket, but Thursday’s is free with gate admission.

“Our grandstand and Corporate Buildings are expected to be full of vendors and displays,” Fellows said. “We also anticipate full cattle, livestock and horse barns. The Fair only comes around once a year. Don’t miss it.”

For more information and a full list of shows and times visit cattarauguscofair.com.