Delaware County Fair, New York, 2025

December 06, 2025 • Leave a Comment

The annual Delaware County Fair was held from August 11-16, 2025 in the village of Walton, New York.

Over 80,000 people attend the historic event each year to enjoy a wide range of activities, including live entertainment, contests, rides, games, shopping, food and much more. Events typically include tractor pulls, horse shows and the demolition derby. Each year there are tractor and farm equipment displays and demonstrations, as well as livestock contests and encounters with over 1,000 animals.

Photograph of the annual Delaware County Fair that that is held in Walton, New York.

Early Days

The Delaware County Fair has a long history, going back to the 19th century. As far back as October 1841, the Delaware County Agricultural Society held a “Fair and Cattle Show,” which was “numerously attended; and considering the shortness of the time that has elapsed since the organization of the Society – and consequent want of preparation – it far surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the Executive Committee. Many persons were heard to express surprise in relation to the degree of interest, liberality, and enterprise manifested by our Farmers upon the occasion; and certainly it was a much more creditable exhibition of stock and produce than was generally expected at the first Delaware County Fair.” (Delaware Gazette. October 27, 1841.)

The First Fair

The current version of the Delaware County Fair was founded in 1887 with the “First Annual Fair of the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society,” which was held in Walton over three days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of October 4-6, 1887. (Walton Reporter. August 27, 1887.) While other agricultural fairs existed in the county prior to this date, the 1887 fair is considered the beginning of the continuous, modern Delaware County Fair held in Walton.

That first fair, despite the rainy weather, was considered “a grand success.” There were over 1,300 entries for exhibition. Special events included a bicycle race for the championship of Delaware County, a walking match, a five-mile foot race, a grand procession of horses and cattle and a horse race. Colonel F. D. Curtis, editor of the Farm Journal, was the special speaker for the event.

Admission for the duration of the fair was $1.00 for men, 50 cents for women and free for children under 12 if accompanied by their parents or guardians. Carriages belonging to holders of membership tickets were free.

Premium awards were given to best-in-class in dozens of different categories, including cattle, horses, sheep, swine, poultry, butter and cheese, farm products, fruits and vegetables, farm implements and mechanical manufactures. There was a special category for the “Ladies Department,” which included fine arts, domestic manufactures, fancy work, culinary articles, floral specimens and much more.

Some of the noted premium winners included William McDonald, of Walton, who displayed a “Mammoth King” squash that weighed 153 pounds. G. L. Fletcher, of Sidney Center, won ten premium awards on grades of Devon, Durham and Ayrshire cattle. Peter Dennis, of Trout Creek, won six premium awards on thoroughbred Devons. Harper W. Dewey, of Sidney Center, won seven premium awards for his herd of Ayrshire cattle. A full list of the premium winners was reported in the local newspapers.

Vendors of all kinds offered their goods for sale. Some of the vendors included Calvin DuBois, who sold watches, diamonds and clocks; T. Guild & Son offered perfumes; T. L. Terry sold fine neckwear; Fitch Bros. & Seeley displayed their large line of carpets, rugs and mattings; E. M. Stern displayed his goods as a merchant tailor; J. B. Eells & Son displayed their fine buggies and platform wagons; and E. B. Howland displayed his farm wagons.

Additional vendors included Oliver & Ogden displayed a variety of coal and wood stoves; Berray, Shepard & White exhibited their furniture products; O. I. Ells sold willow rockers and other cabinet ware; Eels & Mead had a fine display of fancy groceries; H. J. Twaddell had samples of fruit from Rochester; Harvey Henderson was selling goods from his 5, 10 and 25 cent counters; Barlow & Peake displayed many styles of baby carriages; and L. S. and J. W. St. John had a handsome line of stoves, including coal and wood burners, ranges and oil stoves.

Early Memories

Bert McClenon, who in 1961 claimed the distinction of having attended every fair since its beginning, told the local newspaper about the early days of the fair. For the first fair, and for many years after, the O & W Railroad brought fair goers from the surrounding areas on excursion trains. Jim Darrin operated a stage from the Bridge Street Railroad Station to the fairgrounds for 5 cents a ride.

The fairgrounds were surrounded by a board fence, except on the riverside, where farmers tied their horses. Farmers drove their cattle to the fair. Jim Pomeroy of Sidney Center was a prominent exhibitor of Devons, while Jim Feake of East Brook showed belted cattle. On exhibit were oxen, dairy cows and stallions all brought in by nearby farmers. “Cheap John” of Trout Creek sold whips, shoestrings, needles and more at “bargain” prices. There were buggy races, chariot races and driving horse competitions.

James Munn exhibited pianos and organs while local butter makers exhibited their product. Mr. France, wearing a tall stovepipe had, was an impressive bandleader. Home talent shows provided materials for side shows. Molasses candy stretched from a hook in a post and popcorn popped over charcoal were delicacies on sale at 5 cents and were the delight of every boy and girl. The photographer, ready to make a tin type, was on hand. As a special attraction, late in the afternoon, a balloon took a man skyward.

Today’s Fair

Over the years the fair was held in towns across the county, including Andes, Hobart, Bloomville, Delhi, Franklin and Walton. However, by the 1920s, the fair was permanently located at Walton.

For over 130 years, the Delaware County Fair has remained as relevant and as popular as it was in 1887. The event seems to bring everyone in the community together, including families, the old and the young, the rural farmers and the townspeople, the local college students and the out-of-town tourists. There is something for everyone here.

Visit the Delaware County Fair website at www.delawarecountyfair.org for more information about dates, tickets, schedules and more.

Photograph of the annual Delaware County Fair that that is held in Walton, New York.