The fair's back with old favs like Bus Derby, newbies like Garden Tractor, Truck pulls

ROCHESTER - The Granite State Fair kicks off a week from today with all its usual crowd favorites like the Bus and Demolition Derby, but will have a few new wrinkles, too, including an ATV Drag Race competition on the fair's final Saturday and Garden Tractor and Truck pulls on both Fridays.
Circus Hollywood will also be back and will be performing its feats of derring do outside again this year, said Nancy Gilbert, vice president of the Rochester Agricultural and Mechanical Association, which runs the fair and owns the fairgrounds.
In fact, there were so many people turned away from the Bus Derby last year due to overcrowding of the grandstand, fair organizers are planning to have additional standing room only capacity opposite the grandstand. Gilbert said workers are readying the new SRO area with safety barricades.
"We'll also have a new food vendor that is local, HotMess Poutine of Rochester," Gilbert added.
The barbecue vendor that had a spot near the Lafayette Street entrance will also be back, she said, as well all the regular Fiesta Shows vendors that come each and every year.
Gilbert said with the pandemic fully over she expects a much stronger Rochester Schools presence in the Exhibition Hall this year with tech displays from Creteau Tech and art displays from students at Spaulding High.
Entertainment will be provided in the old bingo hall near the Lafayette Street entrance and in a Beer Garden not far from the grandstand.
For tickets to Grandstand Shows click here.