For More Than 143 Years, This Small Town Has Hosted The Longest-Running Festival In New York

Checking out a fair or festival is a great way to get a glimpse into true small town New York culture. There are a lot of fairs to choose from every spring, summer, and fall, but how many of them have been running for well over a century? With that in mind, there is one fair that stands above the rest. That's right, we are taking about the Grahmsville Little World’s Fair. Happening every August, the fair is the longest-running independent fair in New York. It just celebrated its 143rd edition! The fair is hosted by the Neversink Agricultural Society and runs for a full three days. It's the oldest small town festival in New York. To learn more, keep reading, below.

The Little World’s Fair is held in Grahamsville, New York, which is a small hamlet in Sullivan County, New York. Grahamsville is the southernmost community in the Catskill Park.

The Little World’s Fair was started in 1878, and has happened every year since except for two—firstly, in 1928, when a flood ravished the bridge to the fairgrounds, and secondly during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

The Little World’s Fair features all sorts of agricultural and livestock exhibits and contests. It also has daily entertainment, which includes a great slate of live music and demonstrations.

Other fun events have included a watermelon eating contest, a lumberjack show, and the 4-H chicken races.

Then there are the rides, which are the cornerstone of any fair, big or small.

Take a trip on the Ferris wheel—it's a great way to take in a view of the entire festival.

As of 2023, admission for adults age 12 through 74 is only $8. Kids 5 to 11 get in for $5; children under the age of 74 and Seniors over 75 can enter the fair for absolutely no cost. Also, as of 2023, the fair runs from Noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. No dogs are allowed, save for registered service dogs.

For a memorable festival experience, one filled with well over a century of history, it's worth making the time to check out the Grahamsville Little World's Fair. While in the area, why not check out the amazing Sundown Wild Forest? And, for those looking for something fun to do in the larger Hudson Valley region, we suggest Moto Coffee, a cool motorcycle shop and cafe in the town of Hudson, New York. A great option for lodging in the area is Days Inn by Wyndham Liberty, Ferndale, which is around 10 miles away from the fair's location.