This year, the Conklin Fair celebrates 50 years of being a Broome County staple

CONKLIN (WBNG) - The Conklin Fair is back, which marks its 50th year for the local summer tradition.

“Between the rides, the games, the food, the vendors, the beer tent, and the fireworks, there’s plenty of stuff to do here to keep you busy for all three days,” said Frank Mower, the president for the Conklin Fair.

President Mower said planning for this year’s fair was a long time in the making. “We start planning for this fair a week after last year’s fair,” he said. “It takes the community to come together. We knock on a lot of small business doors to get the money for this.”

When it comes to the event’s history, the vision started with the Conklin Kiwanis Club. Merle Jones, the current treasurer of the club, reflected about what the members back then would think about this milestone. “They would be amazed and very pleased... It was a one-day event and now it’s Thursday night, Friday night, and all day Saturday,” he said. “It’s grown every year, we have a lot of fun doing it. All the money we raise goes back into the community.”

“A lot of little town fairs have faded away over the years, but we’ve stood still and hard for 50 years here in Conklin and there’s another 50 coming after this,” said Mower.

Mower believes the fair has stood the test of time, in part, because of its location being so close to the Pennsylvania border.

While times are financially tough with inflation, Mower said costs have been taken into consideration. “We know people are low on money that’s why it’s free parking, free admission,” he said.

The president says if you purchase, or have purchased, a $25 wristband for four hours Thursday or Friday, you will be able to have access to the rides free of charge Saturday, July 16.

Fair hours Thursday and Friday are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and then visitors can come by Saturday from noon until 11 p.m.

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