STATEN ISLAND, NY — A Staten Island staple is making a comeback this holiday weekend.
The 42nd annual Richmond County Fair takes over historic downtown Richmond starting Saturday, September 3 and promises great food, fun games and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the annual family fundraising event.
WHERE IS
The Richmond County Fair is located in Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. The front doors are on the corner of Richmond Road and St. Patrick’s Place, and Arthur Kill Road and Center Street.
SCHEDULE
The three-day Richmond County Fair opens to the public Saturday and runs through Labor Day. Visitors can drop in every day from noon to 7 p.m.
The fair concludes on Monday, September 5.
– Scenes from the 42nd Annual Richmond County Fair, 2021. Gale CiriglianoGale Cirigliano
PRICES
Tickets for the fair can be purchased in advance through the Richmond Town Historic Website or at the door
Online presale admission tickets are $13 for ages 12 and older; $8 for Historic Richmond members or 65 and older, and $4 for children 6-11. Children under 5 can enter for free. All online ticket sales close at noon on Saturday 3 September.
Tickets sold at the door are $15 for ages 12 and up; $10 for Historic City of Richmond members or 65 and older, and $5 for children ages 6-11. Children under 5 can enter for free.
Additionally, ride tickets will be sold for $20 exclusively on-site during the fair.
Cash and credit card accepted.
No refunds will be issued for any reason except for cancellation or postponement of the event. Tickets are not transferable between people and are not valid for multiple or alternating days.
And keep in mind that this is a rain or shine event. No refunds will be issued in the event of inclement weather, so consider purchasing a poncho in advance.
The Richmond County Fair opened in historic downtown Richmond with food, music, carnival rides and other attractions on Sept. 4, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Shane DiMaio)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Visitors can expect a variety of games, attractions and carnival classics this weekend, including bounce houses, crafts, kids’ contests and more. Some attractions, such as pony rides, cost more.
Food vendors include Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor, Main Street Coffee, Montalbano’s Pork Store, Juicy Lucy, The Boiis Co, Empanada Guy and Latin Bites. Local wine and beer will be on sale by the Historical Society. Visitors can expect, well, the expected fair fare: funnel cakes, sausages and peppers, gyros and more.
Live music will abound this weekend, with performances from fan favorites and up-and-comers alike. Expected acts include Joan Caddell & The Midnight Choir, Vito Picone & The Elegants, Kizmet, American Cover Story and more. For the full schedule, visit Richmond Town Historic Website.
If games and rides aren’t really your thing, consider checking out the Culture Crawl, which will feature educational, arts, cultural and social nonprofits from across Staten Island showcasing their works and programs. Visitors can also take a living history tour, where you’ll walk the grounds of Richmond’s historic town and meet performers in authentic period clothing. Specific tours include basket making, broom making, fire cooking, children’s crafts and more.
The pie eating contest at the Richmond County Fair on Sunday, September 5, 2021. (Courtesy of Mark Intoccia)
FOOD COMPETITIONS
What’s a fair without a food contest? Each of the three days has multiple competitions scheduled.
Both Saturday and Monday feature the following identical competition lineups: hot dog eating contests at 1 p.m.; baking contests for adults at 4 p.m.; and pie-eating contests for children at 4:30 p.m
Sunday’s challenges start at 1pm with a chicken wing eating contest. This is followed by a donut eating contest at 4 p.m
On the fence about participating? Know you’ll be eating quality treats: The pies are from Mark’s Bake Shoppe in Richmond and the wings are from a local Applebee’s.
Not provided by the organizers: Pepto-Bismol. Be sure to bring your own.
Visitors walk past the Jitter Bug at the Richmond County Fair Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in historic Richmond. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons) Shot of staff rocker
PARKING
Sorry drivers, there is no parking available at the fairgrounds. However, there is space in the Staten Island Mall Commuter Lot, located near Marsh Avenue and Richmond Hill Road. The organizers of the fair will offer a free transport service to visitors traveling both to the venue and back to the site. The last shuttle leaves historic Richmond at 7:30pm each night.
WHY CHECK IT OUT?
The Richmond County Fair is billed as Historic Richmond’s largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds directly supporting Historic Richmond in its mission to preserve and share the history of Staten Island.
POLICIES COVID-19
There are currently no vaccination, testing or masking requirements to enter the Richmond County Fair.
PETS
Pets are not permitted anywhere on or around the fairgrounds during the event, with the exception of ADA service animals or approved support animals for persons with disabilities.
For more information, visit the Historic Richmond Town website at historicrichmondtown.org.
