{"id":305667,"date":"2026-07-25T22:12:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T22:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/305667\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T22:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T22:12:18","slug":"less-than-2-hours-from-nyc-one-of-new-yorks-longest-running-county-fairs-returns-to-the-hudson-valley-this-august","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/305667\/","title":{"rendered":"Less than 2 hours from NYC: one of New York&#8217;s longest-running county fairs returns to the Hudson Valley this August"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ulster-County-Fair5-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\" alt=\"Ulster County Fair\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource \/ Ulster County Fair<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New York residents looking for the quintessential <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/25-best-things-to-do-this-summer-in-nyc-free-concerts-hidden-beaches-cant-miss-festivals-and-more\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/25-best-things-to-do-this-summer-in-nyc-free-concerts-hidden-beaches-cant-miss-festivals-and-more\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_0\" data-category=\"click_internal\">summer<\/a> day trip won\u2019t have to travel far, as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ulstercountyfair.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/ulstercountyfair.com\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_1\" data-category=\"click_non_sales\">Ulster County Fair<\/a>\u00a0returns this August just 90 minutes from Manhattan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For nearly 140 summers, families have been making the trip to this beloved Hudson Valley fair for carnival rides, blue-ribbon livestock, racing pigs, demolition derbies, and enough funnel cake to satisfy every summer craving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, it\u2019s back for another year of classic summertime fun, bringing six days of midway thrills, agricultural competitions, local vendors, and family-friendly entertainment to New Paltz. First established in 1886, it\u2019s one of New York\u2019s longest-running county fairs and a summer tradition generations of New Yorkers continue to return to year after year.<\/p>\n<p>When and where is the Ulster County Fair taking place?<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Ulster County Fair runs August 4 through August 9, 2026, at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York (249 Libertyville Road).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fair spans\u00a0six days, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy everything it has to offer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the fairgrounds are roughly a 90-minute drive from Manhattan, making the event an easy day trip or <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/what-to-do-this-weekend-nyc\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/what-to-do-this-weekend-nyc\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_2\" data-category=\"click_internal\">weekend outing<\/a> from NYC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally founded in 1886, the fair was created to celebrate the region\u2019s agricultural heritage\u2014a mission it still carries on today through livestock competitions, educational exhibits, and showcases from local farms. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While plenty has changed over the past century, the fair remains one of the Hudson Valley\u2019s signature summer traditions.<\/p>\n<p>What to expect at one of New York\u2019s longest-running county fairs<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re coming for nostalgic fair food or adrenaline-pumping rides, there\u2019s plenty packed into the six-day event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visitors can look forward to:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa1 A lively midway packed with carnival rides and games<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc16 Robinson\u2019s Racing Pigs, featuring hilarious pig races\u2014and even swimming pigs\u2014multiple times each day<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc36 World champion Disc-Connected K9s performing incredible frisbee-catching stunts and acrobatics<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udddc An Aquatic Acrobatic Show with high-flying divers, living mermaids, aqua bola performers, and Jet Ski tricks<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udeb5 Live chainsaw carving demonstrations where artists transform logs into intricate wooden sculptures<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf86 A fireworks spectacular on Wednesday evening at dusk<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc04 Livestock competitions, horse shows, 4-H exhibits, and agricultural showcases celebrating the Hudson Valley\u2019s farming heritage<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\ude9c Truck pulls, tractor pulls, and other classic fair competitions<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf57 Classic fair concessions including funnel cakes, fried treats, barbecue, fresh lemonade, and more<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Shopping vendors, family-friendly attractions, and exhibits throughout the fairgrounds<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event has evolved since its beginnings in 1886 while staying true to its agricultural roots. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, it blends beloved fair traditions like livestock shows and 4-H competitions with crowd-pleasing entertainment.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ulster-County-Fair4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ulster County Fair\" class=\"wp-image-385049\"  \/>Source \/ Ulster County Fair<\/p>\n<p>How much do tickets cost?<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Admission isn\u2019t free, but it\u2019s certainly affordable.<\/p>\n<p>Online presale (July 6\u2013August 4): $10<\/p>\n<p>Online (August 5\u20139): $12<\/p>\n<p>At the gate (Wednesday\u2013Sunday): $15<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep in mind that carnival rides are not included with admission and require separate ride tickets or wristbands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visitors can <a href=\"https:\/\/ulstercountyfair.com\/buy-tickets\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/ulstercountyfair.com\/buy-tickets\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_3\" data-category=\"click_non_sales\">purchase tickets online<\/a> before arriving.<\/p>\n<p>Why it\u2019s worth the trip from NYC<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer in New York isn\u2019t complete without at least one county fair, and the Ulster County Fair offers everything you\u2019d hope for from a classic American fair\u2014historic charm, carnival rides, prize-winning farm animals, live entertainment, and all the funnel cake your heart desires.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combined with New Paltz\u2019s walkable downtown, nearby hiking trails at <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/split-rock-hole-swimming-hole-near-nyc\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/split-rock-hole-swimming-hole-near-nyc\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_4\" data-category=\"click_internal\">Mohonk Preserve<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/ny-shawangunk-mountains-scenic-byway-road-trip\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/ny-shawangunk-mountains-scenic-byway-road-trip\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_5\" data-category=\"click_internal\">Minnewaska State Park<\/a>, and plenty of <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/hawks-nest-one-of-most-scenic-drives-new-york-state\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/hawks-nest-one-of-most-scenic-drives-new-york-state\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_6\" data-category=\"click_internal\">Hudson Valley<\/a> restaurants and wineries, it\u2019s easy to turn the fair into a full-day (or even weekend) escape from the city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Source \/ Ulster County Fair New York residents looking for the quintessential summer day trip won\u2019t have to&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":305668,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[9,56,63,65,64],"class_list":["post-305667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-new-york","tag-ny","tag-nyc","tag-nyc-headlines","tag-nyc-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305667\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/305668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}