About Orange County Fair Speedway -- It is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the United States. It was constructed in 1857 for horse racing at the annual Orange County Fair. In 1919, the first auto race was held on what was then called the “Harry Clay Oval.” Racing continued every year until the outbreak of World War Two caused the suspension of motorsports nationwide.
After World War Two, “Big Car” racing continued for a year or so at the fair, and midget racing was immensely popular on Wednesday nights. In 1948, the first “Stock Car” race was held on the ½-mile track. The first winner of the first heat race was Frankie Schneider, who went on to become a legend in these parts.
OCFS hosts five classes of racing, and something for every racer's budget. From the Street Stocks to the Mighty Big Block Modifieds, and every division in-between (ProStock, Sportsman, Small Block Modified) the racing here is non-stop action from green flag to checkered.
Orange County Fair Speedway is home to the Eastern States Weekend. Begun in 1962 as a one-day, 100-lap championship race, Eastern States Weekend has grown into a three-day racing spectacular, the "October Classic."
Stock Car Racing and Orange County, New York go hand in hand. No speedway in the region, or in the WORLD, has as much history behind it as Orange County Fair Speedway!
Get more on the Orange County Fair Speedway HERE!
About The Orange County Fair -- It is back for its 178th year with more rides, more attractions and the best entertainment ever!
Get more on the 2019 Orange County Fair HERE!
Check out this amazing schedule of entertainment and attractions!
Thursday July 18
We kick the fair off with a tribute to the greatest band ever- The Beatles! Performed by the cast of Beatlemania, the longest running tribute to the Beatles. Midway Stage - 4:00pm - free!
At 6:30 the biggest stars of Northeast Modified Racing invade the House of Power for the 100 lap “Battle of the Midway “ Come see Brett Hearn, Stewart Friesen, Anthony Perrego and Matt Sheppard Power their 700hp machines around the legendary Hard Clay chasing a $10,000 prize!
Stadium-6:30pm | $35 adult
Friday July 19
Friday is going to be a Monster of a night!
The Monster Trucks are back for the first of two nights. Come out and see your favorites- names of trucks- as they tear of the stadium!
Stadium-7:00pm | $20
Indy Rocks the Fair Featuring Lovelytheband! With hits like “broken” and “these are my friends“ Lovelytheband tops the indie charts. Opening act is Orange County’s own Indie favorite- JaCoB!
Midway Stage 7:30 | Free!
Saturday July 20
We’re getting down and funky and best of all it starts with a Parade!
Join us for a new tradition at the fair - the weekend parade! Bands, clowns, jugglers and much more wend their way through the Fairgrounds leaving a path of merriment!
Starts 4:00pm
In the mood - to dance? Join in at the midway stage to learn how to Swing with East Coast Swing. Not sure how or a little rusty-don’t worry they’ll teach you!
Midway stage-5:00 | FREE!
Now it’s time to get funky! The only and only 70’s superstar group “The Family Stone “ invite you to “Dance to the Music”
Midway stage-7:00pm | FREE!
Just want to see stuff get crushed? The Monster Trucks are back in the stadium!
Stadium-7:00pm | $20
For the kids!
The Bossy Frog band is guaranteed to get the little ones moving and singing along with the music.
Will Shaw - is quite simply a funny man. His show includes humor, juggling and tricks
Midway Stage-noon | FREE!
For us all - the legendary Tom Chapin. Tom is a Grammy winning musician, entertainer and story teller
Midway stage-2:30 | FREE!
Sunday July 21
Sunday is funday at the OC Fair!
We open up the stadium stage with a big Pop!
Lance Bass of NSYNC hosts: Aaron Carter, Tyler Hilton, Ryan Cabrera and O-Town for a POP 2K bash! Psst..it’s a free show too!
Stadium- 7:00pm | FREE!
Roll out the barrel- because Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra are back! Multiple Grammy winning and Orange County native Jimmy Sturr will get you Polka Groove on. And if you don’t know how to Polka we’ll teach you!
Midway stage- 3:00pm | FREE!
Jerry Garcia’s legacy continues! Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band Jam the midway. Melvin the long time Keyboard player with Jerry has also performed with Phil Leah, Elvin Bishop and Chuck Berry. The Jeb Jones band gets it all started get your Jam on!
Midway stage-7:00 | FREE!
With the release of the hit movie Rocket Man, Elton John is more popular than ever! We honor this Icon with “Early Elton a tribute to the trio tours of ‘70-‘72” This era is arguably is finest in terms of material and performance and we have members of Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes and the Fab Faux here to “burn down the mission!”
Midway Stage-5:00pm | FREE!
We didn’t forget the kids:
Charlini - magician extraordinaire
Uncle Morty’s Clubhouse- puppet show
Midway Stage-Noon | FREE!
And a parade at 2:00pm!
Monday July 22
You’re going to like Mondays. Guess who’s coming to the Stadium Stage:
Is it the star of the Netflix hit Lillehammer?
Is it one of the stars of the Sopranos?
Is it the guitar player from Bruce Springsteen?
ITS ALL THE ABOVE!
The incomparable Steven Van Zandt and Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul come to Middletown to play rock and roll the way it was meant to be. Some other well known N.J. musician is a big fan and known to drop in so come see what the Summer of Sorcery is all about!
Stadium stage-7:00pm- FREE!
Tuesday July 23
50 years ago in a land not far from here a generation was defined by the Woodstock music festival. Did you know the Fairgrounds were considered to be the site of the festival?
We honor the legacy of Woodstock with the amazing “Summer of Love concert” Relive the memories, Share the Spirit & Celebrate the songs of the Woodstock generation!
Stadium stage- 8:00pm | FREE!
Wednesday July 24
We start the night by honoring an Icon - Johnny Cash. The man in black is honored by the Band in Blacks boot-stomping countrified music as well as covers of Cash’s hits.
Midway Stage-5:00pm | FREE!
What happens when you combine the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish into one live experience? Pink Talking Fish of course. Come join us for the ultimate fusion tribute and celebration of this music in unique fashion!
Midway Stage-7:00pm | FREE!
The Unforgettable Fire will deliver an unforgettable tribute to U2. This is the closest to a U2 show without actually being there! You’ll go crazy if you don’t go crazy this night!
Midway Stage-9:00 | FREE!
Thursday July 25
It’s throwback Thursday!
Only a Led Zeppelin tribute can kick off a night of classic rock. No Quarter is the ultimate tribute to Led Zeppelin!
Midway Stage-7:00pm | FREE!
THE MACHINE, is America’s top Pink Floyd Show for over 30 years. Besides the incredible music of Pink Floyd The Machines dramatic lighting and video sets them apart from most tribute acts. Routinely selling out theaters across America- The Machine is here to light of our stage for very special show!
Stadium stage- 9:00pm | FREE!
Friday July 26
Soular Rythem - Steel Drums
The The Band Band
Jimmy & The Parrots
JaCob
Saturday July 27
School of Rock
The Felice Brothers
Sunday July 28
Magic Stephen
Tiny Little Circus
Medicine Show Man
Dr. K's Motown Revue
Neil Berg 100 Years of Broadway
Jim Breuer