1) The 178th annual Chenango County Fair has come to an end, wrapping up with plenty of good times and memories for all visitors. (Photo by Tyler Murphy), 2) The 178th Annual Chenango County Fair ended on Sunday, August 10 with the demolition derby in the grandstands. In heat 5 of the junk run, one and done class: Paul Potter in the red truck and Hunter Davenport in the 3x was the highlight of the afternoon session before the night kicked off at 7 p.m. to close the fair. (Photo by Amber Potter)

NORWICH — The 178th annual Chenango County Fair has come to an end, wrapping up with plenty of good times and memories for all visitors.

Free admission was offered on opening day and The Coleman Brothers Shows brought in new games, entertainment, festivities, and rides.

Families gathered in the midway, deciding which rides and treats to start with and lines formed quickly with ecstatic children hopping up and down in anticipation of their next thrill.

Chenango County Agricultural Society Board Chair Mary Weidman said they had a good fair with more entertainment venues than previous years and hoped it was a great week for all who attended.

Events were for all ages and included a children’s day, senior day, agriculture events, the 4-H Livestock Auction and youth horse and rabbit show, a slime lab, live music and more.

Elvis impersonator Don Brown came out on stage dressed in the 70’s Elvis glitz and glam. He wore a bouffant black wig, sideburns, glasses, white shoes and bedazzled suit, while singing and swiveling to many Elvis songs.

Additionally, wood carving, a farmers’ market, harness racing, talent contests, tractor and truck pulls, and Demo Derbys were heavily attended.

Weidman noted one of the newest shows was the high wire act, performed by The Flying Wallendas.

As they performed their balancing acts across the high wire, the crowd gasped and waited in anticipation for their finish, before breaking into thunderous applause.

Senior Day brought out old friends and offered opportunities in education and fun.

Chenango County Area Agency on Aging Director Heather Collier said Senior Day was a beautiful day filled with seniors coming together to relax, have some fun and enjoy the ice-cream social.

She thanked the many vendors and helpers that provided the planning and hard work to support the event.

Weidman noted the farm crop show had expanded this year and FFA and youth activities grew in size.

She said Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H have always been an important part of the fair, supporting youth involvement.

Executive Director Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County Craig Brown said the Livestock Auction was a great success with a sizable crowd, dedicated to supporting the participating youth.

Brown said all of the animals were successfully auctioned with smiles and tears from 4-H youth as they put their hearts into raising their project animals.

He gave thanks to all that contributed to the programs success.

During the annual firefighter’s parade, Chenango County firetrucks and emergency vehicles rolled through several Norwich streets. Officials and agriculture representatives drove by in vehicles, waving to the crowd.

Floats were filled with 4-H members, FFA members, Binghamton City School District Drum Band players, Area Agency on Aging Drums Alive and Senior Beats players, and more.

Some parade participants walked behind vehicles, holding signs for their favorite cause, while tossing plenty of candy to the crowd.

The Coleman Brothers Shows were co-sponsor of Friday night’s fireworks display, along with Rentals to Go, American Fireworks Displays, and the Chenango County Fair.

Top sponsors for the show include Burrell’s Excavating, Casella Waste Systems, Chentronics, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, and Rentals to Go.