named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
4-H Dairy Barn
Educational exhibit and competition space for youth involved in dairy cattle projects through the 4-H program.
Demolition Derby
Grandstand event featuring controlled car crashes as a spectator attraction during the fair.
Essex County Fair
Annual agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, educational displays, and community events promoting rural life and farming traditions.
Horse Shows and Gymkhana
Equestrian competitions including trail, English, and Western riding events, as well as timed games for youth and adults.
Tractor and Truck Pulls
Competitive events showcasing modified tractors and trucks in pulling contests, organized in partnership with the Vermont Tractor Pullers Association.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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County and Regional Agricultural Fair Management 4 activities
- Hosts competitive agricultural and motorsport events during the fairOrganizes and hosts tractor pulls (farm and garden), truck pulls, demolition derbies, ATV drag racing, and horse riding competitions with events such as barrels, poles, and key hole races during the annual Essex County Fair. These events include multiple competition classes for youth and adults and may require additional admission fees for certain events like garden tractor and truck pulls.
- Manages livestock exhibition programs at the fairProvides cattle program information and entry forms for participants in the 177th Essex County Fair in 2026, supporting livestock exhibitions as part of the fair's agricultural programming.
- Organizes and operates the annual Essex County FairPlans and runs the annual Essex County Fair, an event held since 1848 that attracts tens of thousands of attendees and includes agricultural education, entertainment, and community activities. The fair is held at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport, NY, and features admission fees of $15 per person with free entry for children under 3.
- Provides fairground facilities and on-site accommodationsOperates the Essex County Fairgrounds located at 3 Fairground Way, Westport, NY, on the shores of Lake Champlain, and offers campsites for RVs and tents during the annual fair. General admission includes access to parking, rides, and most ground entertainment and shows.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Hosts giveaway events during the fairHosts daily backpack and bike giveaways during the Essex County Fair to engage attendees and support community participation.
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Hosts live entertainment and concerts during the fairProduces live musical performances during the annual Essex County Fair, including a Grandstand concert featuring nationally recognized country music artists such as Jamie Lee Thurston with special guests, and other professional country music acts.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Provides volunteer opportunities with event benefitsOrganizes volunteer opportunities during the Essex County Fair, offering free admission to participants as a benefit.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$238K
Contributions & grants$47K20%
Program service revenue$191K80%
Investment income$4210%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$221K
Program expenses98%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$66K
Cash$66K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$66K
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +18.3%
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- 4-H Partner — Collaborates with 4-H to operate the Dairy Barn at the Essex County Fair.
- Amusements of America Partner — Partner organization providing carnival rides for the Essex County Fair in 2026.
- Arrow Bank Partner — Financial institution listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- Champlain Bank Partner — Financial institution listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- Depot Theatre Partner — Cultural organization listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- GoWestportNY.com Partner — Collaborates with the local tourism website to promote nearby dining and lodging options for fairground visitors.
- Hudson Headwaters Health Network Partner — Healthcare provider listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- Rice Farm and Tires Partner — Sponsors farm tractor pulls and truck pulls at the Essex County Fair.
- Skyfire Productions Partner — Presents ATV drag racing events at the Essex County Fair.
- Stewart's Shops Partner — Convenience store chain listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- SymQuest Partner — Business technology services provider listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- TicketSpice Partner — Partners with TicketSpice to manage concert ticket sales for the Essex County Fair.
- UniFirst Partner — Sponsors the Jamie Lee Thurston concert at the Essex County Fair.
- Unifirst Partner — Uniform and workwear services company listed as a sponsor of the Essex County Fair
- Vermont Tractor Pullers Association Partner — Co-presents garden tractor pulls, farm tractor pulls, and truck pulls at the Essex County Fair.
- Vermont Tractor Pullers Association Partner — Collaborates with the Vermont Tractor Pullers Association for tractor pull events at the fair.
strategies · 1
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Agricultural Education Through Experiential Eventsmethodology: agricultural-entertainment engagementBy integrating agricultural education into high-energy, spectator-focused events like tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and 4-H animal husbandry programs, we increase public engagement with farming traditions because experiential and entertaining formats make learning accessible and memorable.