162nd Annual Chenango County Fair opens today
NORWICH – More than 40,000 visitors are expected at the fairgrounds this week as the Chenango County Agricultural Society kicks off the 162nd Annual Chenango County Fair.
Steeped in the area’s rich agricultural heritage and complete with plenty of midway rides, funnel cake and cotton candy, there is no other local event quite like it. The six-day exposition will feature everything from amusement rides, games and food vendors to live music, 4-H livestock competitions, equine events, agricultural exhibits, a motorcycle stunt show, a fireman’s parade, tractor pulls, demolition derbies and more.
According to Mary Weidman, president of the Chenango County Agricultural Society, the fair is something that people look forward to every year. Given the current state of the economy, she said she is actually anticipating a higher than average turnout this year as some families have foregone their usual vacation plans in favor of staying closer to home.
“It’s very inexpensive entertainment,” Weidman explained, with admission to the fair $5 for adults, $3 for children between the ages of 6 and 17, and free for children 5 and under. Free parking is also available at the fairgrounds with paid admission, she added.
Those looking to make the experience even less expensive can do so by becoming a member of the Agricultural Society, according to Weidman. Membership in the volunteer-driven organization, which owns the grounds and organizes the fair each year, is $15, and includes free admission to the fair all week.
There is also free admission to the fair on opening day, courtesy of Smith Ford LLC and the Giant’s Warehouse.
“They provide generous support for the fair so we can provide free day on Tuesday,” Weidman said.
Children 12 and under also get in free before 5 p.m. on both Wednesday and Friday, during Children’s Day.
While the New York Sire Stakes Harness Racing officially opens the fair at 1 p.m. today, for many it is the 4-H and Fireman’s Parade which marks the start of the annual event.
“The parade rolls at 7 p.m. sharp,” said Town of Norwich Supervisor Dave Law, a long-time fairgoer and member of the fair board of directors.
According to Law, the parade lines up on Midland Ave. and proceeds down East Main Street to the fairgrounds and before the grandstand where entries are judged.
“We hope to lead it off with a tribute to our veterans,” Law said, which will include several local motorcycle groups both the Chenango County and Post 189 American Legion Riders, the Red Knights and other local motorcycle groups.
The parade will also include members of 23 local fire departments, according to Roger Chase of New Berlin, who is coordinating the event for the first time this year. They will be joined by a number of antique tractors, horses and other floats, as well as the Binghamton High School Steel Drum Band and the championship West Laurens High School Marching Band. Bringing up the rear will be a 6-horse hitch, which is new to the fair this year.
Following the parade will be a free concert sponsored by the Chenango County Blues Festival featuring New Riders of the Purple Sage. According to Law, the Tuesday night concert and the Wednesday night “Guitars Under the Stars” event presented by Millennia Entertainment will be two of the biggest draws to this year’s fair.
“We’ve got people coming from all over,” he said, including people who plan to ride their motorcycles all the way from Virginia for the two shows.
“We’ve sold about a thousand tickets,” Law reported. “That’s the highest pre-sale we’ve had in a long time.”
There will be plenty of other live musical entertainment throughout fair week as well, including local groups like the Bruce Beadle Band, Skyline with Cassidy Lynn and Route 66. Another highlight will be the Shot Gun Red Show from Hee Haw which will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday night in the Entertainment Tent.
According to Weidman, this year’s Chenango County Fair is dedicated to The Evening Sun in recognition of the newspaper’s coverage of the fair throughout its history.
“They’ve earned the dedication,” she explained. “It’s all about community cooperation and getting information to the public.”
For more information, visit the Agricultural Society’s website, www.chenangocountyfair.homestead.com or contact them via email at chenangofair@frontiernet.net or by phone at 334-9198.
Steeped in the area’s rich agricultural heritage and complete with plenty of midway rides, funnel cake and cotton candy, there is no other local event quite like it. The six-day exposition will feature everything from amusement rides, games and food vendors to live music, 4-H livestock competitions, equine events, agricultural exhibits, a motorcycle stunt show, a fireman’s parade, tractor pulls, demolition derbies and more.
According to Mary Weidman, president of the Chenango County Agricultural Society, the fair is something that people look forward to every year. Given the current state of the economy, she said she is actually anticipating a higher than average turnout this year as some families have foregone their usual vacation plans in favor of staying closer to home.
“It’s very inexpensive entertainment,” Weidman explained, with admission to the fair $5 for adults, $3 for children between the ages of 6 and 17, and free for children 5 and under. Free parking is also available at the fairgrounds with paid admission, she added.
Those looking to make the experience even less expensive can do so by becoming a member of the Agricultural Society, according to Weidman. Membership in the volunteer-driven organization, which owns the grounds and organizes the fair each year, is $15, and includes free admission to the fair all week.
There is also free admission to the fair on opening day, courtesy of Smith Ford LLC and the Giant’s Warehouse.
“They provide generous support for the fair so we can provide free day on Tuesday,” Weidman said.
Children 12 and under also get in free before 5 p.m. on both Wednesday and Friday, during Children’s Day.
While the New York Sire Stakes Harness Racing officially opens the fair at 1 p.m. today, for many it is the 4-H and Fireman’s Parade which marks the start of the annual event.
“The parade rolls at 7 p.m. sharp,” said Town of Norwich Supervisor Dave Law, a long-time fairgoer and member of the fair board of directors.
According to Law, the parade lines up on Midland Ave. and proceeds down East Main Street to the fairgrounds and before the grandstand where entries are judged.
“We hope to lead it off with a tribute to our veterans,” Law said, which will include several local motorcycle groups both the Chenango County and Post 189 American Legion Riders, the Red Knights and other local motorcycle groups.
The parade will also include members of 23 local fire departments, according to Roger Chase of New Berlin, who is coordinating the event for the first time this year. They will be joined by a number of antique tractors, horses and other floats, as well as the Binghamton High School Steel Drum Band and the championship West Laurens High School Marching Band. Bringing up the rear will be a 6-horse hitch, which is new to the fair this year.
Following the parade will be a free concert sponsored by the Chenango County Blues Festival featuring New Riders of the Purple Sage. According to Law, the Tuesday night concert and the Wednesday night “Guitars Under the Stars” event presented by Millennia Entertainment will be two of the biggest draws to this year’s fair.
“We’ve got people coming from all over,” he said, including people who plan to ride their motorcycles all the way from Virginia for the two shows.
“We’ve sold about a thousand tickets,” Law reported. “That’s the highest pre-sale we’ve had in a long time.”
There will be plenty of other live musical entertainment throughout fair week as well, including local groups like the Bruce Beadle Band, Skyline with Cassidy Lynn and Route 66. Another highlight will be the Shot Gun Red Show from Hee Haw which will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday night in the Entertainment Tent.
According to Weidman, this year’s Chenango County Fair is dedicated to The Evening Sun in recognition of the newspaper’s coverage of the fair throughout its history.
“They’ve earned the dedication,” she explained. “It’s all about community cooperation and getting information to the public.”
For more information, visit the Agricultural Society’s website, www.chenangocountyfair.homestead.com or contact them via email at chenangofair@frontiernet.net or by phone at 334-9198.
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