MORRIS – The 65th annual Otsego County Fair started off strong on Tuesday according to fair manager Judy Harris. Entry was free for the opening day and hosted a variety of events, including 4-H animal shows, the Blue Ribbon Cloggers and a parade and fireworks show to close out the evening.
“We’ve had a great turn out so far,” said Harris. She cited one of the biggest draws as being the animal competitions and said people had been setting up all weekend in preparation. “It’s an agricultural fair ... so there are plenty of animals ... we’ve had an increase in almost every category this year.”
Fair admission prices are $5 for adults, $2.50 for youth and free for children 7 and under. There are also be season passes available at the fair office, which include parking costs. Grandstand admission is $5.
Besides the many opportunities children have to see and pet the animals, there will also be numerous free, live performances in the Grange hall for them to enjoy. According to Anna Richie, a member of the Morris Grange, the performances will have plenty of audience participation and will play to a wide audience.
Tuesday’s performance was the Blue Ribbon cloggers, who danced across the stage to bebop, rock country and even pop music to the delight of the crowd. According to dancer Ellie Sosnowski, the troupe has been coming to the Otsego Fair for since 1994 and always enjoy the warm reception they receive.
“We always have a ball,” said Sosnowski. The cloggers are based in Milford, but attend festivals and fairs all across New York State. “This is our busy time but we love it.”
According to Harris, just a few of the other events visitors can look forward to are horse races, tractor pulls, animal auctions and three nights of the demolition derby. There will also be a children’s tractor pull with mini-tractors.
However, one of the biggest crowd pleasers is the karaoke contests on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, said Harris. “People come from all over to perform ... and most are even pretty good.” There will be adult, duet and junior categories for the competition with the finals taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
There will also of course be all of the usual rides and games in which visitors can win prizes and enjoy the trill of being swung hundreds of feet into the air. However, some of the real prizes can be found by just wandering around the grounds and walking into the various buildings. At one site there is an antiques judging contest for everyone interested in tools and trinkets from the area’s past and nearby you will find a balloon artist and chainsaw artist.
There are also over 20 different food vendors for everyone who has waited the whole year to get their fried dough and Greek gyros.
“I’ve been coming here since I was just a kid,” said Sabrina Diehl. “It’s better every year.”
For more information about this year’s Otsego County Fair go to otsegocountyfair.org or call 263-5289.