The Cayuga County Fair is making a big comeback this year.

“We are going to have a brand-new fair,” said director John Lester, “with brand-new venues.”

The fair staff hope for a great turnout and are offering free parking and free admission to encourage the community to stop by for a fun-filled time to enjoy some great traditional fair food and witness community agricultural exhibits with produce and livestock shows and judging, games, rides and even an American Idol contest.

“We've done some aggressive advertising and a good reason to come is that it is local. With gas prices this summer, people aren't going to want to pay to drive a long ways for entertainment,” Lester said.

He promised great entertainment, with live music and some great community events and youth group exhibits.

“This year we have 35 vendors and crafters all located right inside the gate for easy and cheap shopping,” Lester said, explaining that last year the vendors were

scattered throughout the fair and customers had to pay to get in to shop.

Lester also seemed optimistic about the weather, noting that the fairgrounds and Cayuga County were not devastated by the recent floods and rain like the Southern Tier and hopes that this year, weather won't be a hindrance for some good old-fashioned fair fun.