August 11 through 16, 2026 · Schoharie County Fairgrounds, Cobleskill NY
Let’s Get
Fair-Crazy
Corn dogs. Chainsaw sculptures. Demolition derbies. Baby goats. Hot Dog Pig Racing. Immortal Wrestling. Yes, all of it at one fair in six days. The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair is back August 11 through 16, 2026, and this is your no-nonsense, all-fun guide to making every single minute count. Whether you came for the livestock or the line dancing, you are in exactly the right place.
150
A Fair Worth Celebrating
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair. A century and a half of livestock shows, fair food, demolition derbies, and memories made in Cobleskill. That is worth showing up for.
Tickets
First Things First
Your Admission Includes Everything
All rides. All grandstand events. All ground events. Free parking. One admission ticket gets you unlimited access to the fun. That is not a typo.
- Kids under 2: Free. Always.
- Tuesday is Senior Day with ride options and limited free giveaways all day.
- Saturday is American Hero Day with free admission and rides for active or retired military with valid ID.
- Joe Nichols on Wednesday: General seating is included with your admission. Upgrade to reserved seating with an additional ticket for the best seat in the house.
- Carnival games are a separate charge — so bring a little extra cash and see if you can win that giant stuffed animal.
Pro Tips
From Your Sassiest Fair Friend
- Bring cash. There is an ATM. It will not survive Friday night’s fried Oreo stampede.
- Wear sunscreen. You will roast like a turkey leg if you don’t.
- Bring a poncho. Upstate weather does not care about your outfit.
- Bug spray. Trust us. The bugs are coming.
- Come hungry. Funnel cake, Taste of New York vendors, local eats. This is not the time for restraint.
- Hit the barns. Baby bunnies, baby goats, baby cows, and very large draft horses. Animal encounters are mandatory.
- Rides open at 4PM Tuesday, noon the rest of the week.
- Free parking is included. Arrive early or embrace the overflow tram life.
Starred events are the can’t-miss highlights of each day, including headliner concerts, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, and the moments most likely to become your best story from the weekend.
Happening Every Day
Miniature Circus Circus Museum
Master of Chainsaw Sculpture East End of Grandstand
Model Railroad Exhibit Railroad Walkway
Taste of New York Taste of NY Building
Junior Dept. Exhibits & Demos Progressland
Heather Brooke Clydesdales East End of Grandstand
Come Say Hello
Find the Upstate Vacations and Old Stone Fort teams in the Sterling Exhibit Hall all week long. Stop by to pick up guides, get trip planning help, and talk all things Schoharie County.
Fairgrounds Map
Tuesday, August 11
Senior Day & Harness Racing
Rides open at 4PM · Harness Racing Pot-of-Gold Jackpot: $875 · Limited Free Giveaways
Morning
8:00 AMJunior Poultry ShowSheep/Goat Barn
10:00 AMJunior Beef ShowShow Barn
11:00 AMApple Pie Contest Entries DueHall of Agriculture
Midday
12:00 PMHarness RacingGrandstand
12:30 PMApple Pie Contest JudgingHall of Agriculture
1:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
1:00 PMRabbit Junior ShowSheep/Goat Barn
2:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
2:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
Evening
4:00 PMRoaring RiptidesEast End of Grandstand
4:00 PMDonkey & Mule ShowSuperior Housing Arena
4:00 PMDairy JudgingShow Barn
4:30 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
5:00 PMNBHA Barrel RaceBruce L. Cater Show Ring
6:30 PM⭐ Demolition DerbyGrandstand
6:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
6:30 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PMRoaring RiptidesEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
8:00 PM⭐ Immortal WrestlingParty Tent Theater
Wednesday, August 12
Festival of Horses Day
Rides open at Noon
Morning
9:00 AM4H Dairy Showmanship & Junior/Sr. AnimalsShow Barn
9:30 AMDraft Horse Show — Halter ClassesSuperior Housing Arena
10:00 AMSheep Open ClassesSheep/Goat Barn
Afternoon
1:00 PMDraft Horse Show — Performance ClassesSuperior Housing Arena
1:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
2:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
2:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
4:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
4:30 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
5:00 PMGymkhana Junior ShowBruce L. Cater Show Ring
5:00 PMBeef Show — Open ClassesShow Barn
5:00 PMPony PullEast of Grandstand
Evening
6:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
6:30 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
7:30 PM⭐ Jason WicksGrandstand
8:30 PM⭐ Joe Nichols — General seating included with admission. Reserved seating upgrade available.Grandstand
Thursday, August 13
Young American Day & Bicycle Giveaway
Rides open at Noon
Morning
8:30 AMJunior Dept. Horse ShowsBoth Horse Rings
9:00 AMJunior Goat ShowSheep/Goat Barn
11:00 AMUgliest Cake Contest Entries DueHall of Agriculture
11:00 AM – 3:30 PMBicycle Giveaway Ticket DistributionParty Tent Theater
Afternoon
1:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
1:00 PMJunior Sheep ShowSheep/Goat Barn
1:00 PMRabbit Hopping ContestShow Barn
2:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
2:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
4:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
4:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
4:00 PM⭐ Bicycle GiveawayParty Tent Theater
5:00 PMJunior Swine ShowShow Barn
Evening
6:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
6:30 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PM⭐ Demolition DerbyGrandstand
7:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
7:00 PMKiddie Tractor PullEast of Hall of Agriculture
7:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
8:00 PM⭐ Matt VromanParty Tent Theater
Friday, August 14
Tractor Pulling Day
Rides open at Noon
Morning
8:30 AMOpen Horse ShowSuperior Housing Arena
9:00 AMDairy Open ShowShow Barn
11:00 AM – 1:00 PMBeautiful Child Contest — Ages 1 to 2Party Tent Theater
Afternoon
12:00 PMRabbit Open ShowSheep/Goat Barn
1:00 PM – 3:00 PMBeautiful Child Contest — Ages 2 to 4Party Tent Theater
1:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
1:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
2:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
3:30 PM – 5:00 PMIrish DancersParty Tent Theater
4:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
4:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
5:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
5:00 PMSwine Open ClassesShow Barn
6:00 PMUgliest Cake Contest Winner AnnouncedHall of Agriculture
Evening
6:00 PM⭐ NYTPA Tractor PullGrandstand
6:30 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
6:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
7:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
7:30 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
8:00 PM⭐ Skeeter CreekParty Tent Theater
Saturday, August 15
American Hero Day
Rides open at Noon · Free admission and rides for active or retired military with valid ID
Morning
8:30 AMOpen Horse ShowSuperior Housing Arena
9:00 AMDairy Goat Open ClassesSheep/Goat Barn
Following aboveMeat & Fiber Goat Show Open ClassesSheep/Goat Barn
9:00 AM – 12:00 PMJr. Dept. Dog ShowParty Tent Theater
9:30 AMGymkhana Horse ShowBruce L. Cater Show Ring
10:00 AMOut of Field Tractor PullGrandstand
11:00 AMLittle Britches ShowmanshipShow Barn
11:00 AM – 12:00 PMAggie Scott Memorial Chocolate Jumbles EntriesHall of Agriculture
11:30 AMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
Afternoon
12:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
12:30 PMLivestock Exhibitor Award CeremonyDairy Barn
12:30 PMChocolate Jumbles JudgingHall of Agriculture
1:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
2:00 PM⭐ All Animal Costume ParadeShow Barn
2:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
2:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
3:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMJunior Dept. AuctionPole Barn
4:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
4:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
4:30 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
Evening
5:00 PM⭐ Truck PullGrandstand
6:00 PM⭐ Nik & The Nice GuysParty Tent Theater
6:30 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
6:30 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
7:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
7:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
8:00 PM⭐ Peter Noone & Herman’s HermitsParty Tent Theater
Following aboveNik & The Nice GuysParty Tent Theater
Sunday, August 16
Super 8 Motel Day
Rides open at Noon
Morning
9:00 AMMiniature Horse & Pony Horse ShowSuperior Housing Arena
10:00 AMFaith Bible Church ServiceParty Tent Theater
11:00 AM⭐ Sunshine Fair ParadeGrandstand
Afternoon
12:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
1:00 PMHay Bale TossShow Barn
1:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
1:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
2:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
3:00 PMCentral K9 Dock DogsFamily Fun Park
3:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
3:30 PM⭐ Chainsaw Sculpture AuctionMain Gate Entrance
4:00 PMBig Top Super CircusFamily Fun Park
4:00 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
5:00 PMHot Dog Pig RacingEast End of Grandstand
Evening
6:00 PM⭐ Demolition Derby ChampionshipGrandstand
6:30 PMRoaring RiptideEast End of Grandstand
Schedule subject to change. Check back as more entertainment is added.
See You at the Fair
Six days. One county. Zero excuses. Grab your tickets and start planning which days you are claiming.
Photo Credit: Sarah Bates · John M. Papp Photography
