For almost four decades, fans have known Sandra Lee as a bonafide Food Network star and an expert in all things culinary. She's also the rare celebrity who never misses a chance to support women and celebrate the power they have to bring local communities together.
Over the last few months, the TV personality and friend of Good Housekeeping has combined those two priorities, making public appearances at county fairs across the country, many of which are led by multiple generations of women.
This week, she's making a special stop to help kick off the 2025 Erie County Fair in Hamburg, NY (running from August 6-17, 2025). Between August 6 and August 8, she'll be on hand for the annual event's opening ceremony, perform a cookie decorating demo and judge food competitions.
Part of what makes the Blue Ribbon Baking Championship star's time at the Erie County Fair so special is the opportunity to highlight the 12-day fair's deep roots — the fair dates back to 1819 — and its leader, CEO Jessica Underberg, who manages the fair with her daughters Lilly and Ella. The rest of the staff is 90% female.
"I love all fairs the same, but when it's female-based and family driven, my ears perk up," Sandra exclusively told Good Housekeeping. "Fairs can be financial juggernauts of their community. Plus, they're fun! This is the type of thing you go with your kids, and everybody makes fond memories. It doesn't matter if your two or 92 — you love it."
While Sandra is the special guest appearing at the Erie County Fair this summer, she's not the only thing to watch out for.
The event is known for fun attractions like parades and livestock competitions, but it also makes a substantial impact for those living in the region. Last year, the fair awarded $72,000 in scholarships to kids and young adults that participated in the activities, per a press release. To top it off, the fair also managed to collect over 153,000 pounds of food from fairgoers that helped fill shelves of the FeedMore WNY organization in Hamburg.
As Jessica explained explained to Good Housekeeping, working a fair like the Erie County Fair is also about ensuring families can make special memories together.
"This is my Disney," Jessica said. "When I walk into the fair and hear the sounds of the kids screaming on the rides and the laughter ... it evokes an emotion in me from my childhood. People come here to show off their talents, and they're bringing the best of the best to showcase. Most importantly, we are supporting kids that have been involved in our fair in one way or another."
"My favorite part of the fair is to sit back and watch the families come in and everyone be so excited by what's to come," says Jessica. "By the time the fair is over, and the kids are sleeping on their parents' shoulders, they're all walking out of here with memories they'll never forget."
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
