NORWICH – The 178th annual Chenango County Fair gets underway today, kicking off five days of rides, games, food, and a special spotlight on all things agriculture.

It all starts when gates open at 2 p.m. today, capped off by the annual firefighter’s parade which steps off at 7 p.m. on Midland Drive before making its way down East Main Street and onto the county fairgrounds. Wednesday is also Children’s Day with free admission for everyone all day, sponsored this year by GE Philanthropy.

Other top sponsors of this year’s fair include Burrell’s Excavating, Casella Waste Systems, Chentronics, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, and Rentals to Go.

Chenango County Agricultural Society Board Chair Mary Weidman said there are lots of new attractions to enjoy at the fair this summer, with plenty of the familiar favorites to boot.

“The farm crop show is expanded. FFA and the youth activities are bigger as well,” said Weidman. “4-H have indicated that they have more exhibits than they’ve ever had before because it's expanded. Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H have always been an integral part of the fair because they get the youth involved.”