Chenango County Fair opens today
NORWICH – The 165th Chenango County Fair kicks off today, bringing one of the county’s longest lasting, most invaluable summertime traditions back to the fairgrounds on East Main Street.
Last year, more than 40,000 people flocked to the Fair to enjoy the sights, the sounds and the most exciting attractions Chenango County has to offer. Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman hopes for the same or better turnout.
“Everybody who comes to the fair has their own favorite thing that they look forward to,” she said. “People like to come back every year ... It’s a great opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and just have a good time.”
The focus is on returning to the area’s traditional county fair roots. While coordinators have worked tirelessly to get new and sometimes unexpected entertainers in recent years, local bands are on the lineup this year. Weidman said local entertainers used to be the norm at the fair.
“The fair’s a great gathering place. People of all ages can get together and we thought that local entertainment might bring back that old fair experience, before we started to get bigger names.”
The six-day exposition officially gets underway today. Gates open this afternoon and fair goers will be given free admittance throughout the day, courtesy of NBT Bank. The excitement begins at 1 p.m. as New York-bred trotters and pacers race 17 different heats during NYS Sire Stakes Harness racing.
But for many, the unofficial kick-off starts at 7 p.m. with the 4-H and the Firemen’s Parade, which steps off from Midland Street and makes its way down East Main to the fairgrounds. The parade is followed by Chenango Blues Association’s final Summer Concert Series, featuring Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience at 8 p.m. Grandstand admission to that performance is also free.
Things keep rolling Wednesday for Children’s Day. Kids 12 and under get in for free. The day’s events will include the Gillespie Chenango County Pageant, one of two drawings during the week for a new bicycle to be awarded to one lucky young winner, and wrapping-up the day, a grandstand performance by the locally renowned band, The Monarchs, followed by Greg Allan and his Garth Brooks Tribute concert.
The spotlight is on the county’s seniors on Thursday, Senior Citizen Day at the fair and seniors 60 years of age or older get free admittance. Events begin at 10 a.m. with one of three rounds of bingo played at the entertainment tent throughout the day. Also, productions by the Norwich Theater Company will entertain fair goers throughout the day, and Fritz’s Polka Band takes the stage to 2:30 p.m.
Friday is all about agriculture, the county’s leading industry. While the food, rides, games and entertainment might be what initially draws most people to the fair, the attention on Friday – 4-H and Agriculture Day – will be drawn to what really makes Chenango County great, said Weidman. Friday is also ‘Midnight Madness’ and for $20, anyone can buy a wristband from 9-11 p.m. that allows them a full night of nonstop rides. A performance from the Sundown Band takes center stage at the entertainment tent at 7 p.m. as Equine Extravaganza takes to the grandstand at the same time.
On Saturday, it’s Children’s Day and Armed Forces Day. Once again, children get in for free until 5 p.m. and wristbands will be sold for $18 during the day. An open horse show at 8 a.m. gets things started, followed by an antique tractor pull and kids tractor pull at 9. The Jackson Family performs at the entertainment tent and the New York State Tractor Pullers Association will be in the grandstand at 7 p.m.
The excitement winds down Sunday, with another open horse show in the morning and two demolition derbies at 1 p.m. and again at 7.
As always, the fair Midway will light up with all the traditional rides and carnival games – catered by Colman Brothers Carnival, which has brought carnival life to the Chenango County Midway for more than 70 years. And in keeping with tradition, hundreds of cows, pigs, chickens and other farm animals will be housed in the stables at the west end of the fairgrounds. “I think the big thing for a lot of people is just to see what kind of animals we have,” Weidman said, noting that the animal attractions is what draws so many to the fair every year. “And we have a huge number of animals.”
Of course, the fair will also have a number of ongoing daily events that include a variety of free performances and activities at the entertainment tent; the Equine Exhibit, Sportsman Club activities in the Conservation Center; antique tractor displays; daily demonstrations at Floral Hall; and the Two by Two Petting Zoo. Rides open today at 4 p.m. and at 12 p.m. every day thereafter.
General admission is $5; youths ages 6-12, $3. As always, parking is free and membership passes will also be on sale through Sunday.
Last year, more than 40,000 people flocked to the Fair to enjoy the sights, the sounds and the most exciting attractions Chenango County has to offer. Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman hopes for the same or better turnout.
“Everybody who comes to the fair has their own favorite thing that they look forward to,” she said. “People like to come back every year ... It’s a great opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and just have a good time.”
The focus is on returning to the area’s traditional county fair roots. While coordinators have worked tirelessly to get new and sometimes unexpected entertainers in recent years, local bands are on the lineup this year. Weidman said local entertainers used to be the norm at the fair.
“The fair’s a great gathering place. People of all ages can get together and we thought that local entertainment might bring back that old fair experience, before we started to get bigger names.”
The six-day exposition officially gets underway today. Gates open this afternoon and fair goers will be given free admittance throughout the day, courtesy of NBT Bank. The excitement begins at 1 p.m. as New York-bred trotters and pacers race 17 different heats during NYS Sire Stakes Harness racing.
But for many, the unofficial kick-off starts at 7 p.m. with the 4-H and the Firemen’s Parade, which steps off from Midland Street and makes its way down East Main to the fairgrounds. The parade is followed by Chenango Blues Association’s final Summer Concert Series, featuring Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience at 8 p.m. Grandstand admission to that performance is also free.
Things keep rolling Wednesday for Children’s Day. Kids 12 and under get in for free. The day’s events will include the Gillespie Chenango County Pageant, one of two drawings during the week for a new bicycle to be awarded to one lucky young winner, and wrapping-up the day, a grandstand performance by the locally renowned band, The Monarchs, followed by Greg Allan and his Garth Brooks Tribute concert.
The spotlight is on the county’s seniors on Thursday, Senior Citizen Day at the fair and seniors 60 years of age or older get free admittance. Events begin at 10 a.m. with one of three rounds of bingo played at the entertainment tent throughout the day. Also, productions by the Norwich Theater Company will entertain fair goers throughout the day, and Fritz’s Polka Band takes the stage to 2:30 p.m.
Friday is all about agriculture, the county’s leading industry. While the food, rides, games and entertainment might be what initially draws most people to the fair, the attention on Friday – 4-H and Agriculture Day – will be drawn to what really makes Chenango County great, said Weidman. Friday is also ‘Midnight Madness’ and for $20, anyone can buy a wristband from 9-11 p.m. that allows them a full night of nonstop rides. A performance from the Sundown Band takes center stage at the entertainment tent at 7 p.m. as Equine Extravaganza takes to the grandstand at the same time.
On Saturday, it’s Children’s Day and Armed Forces Day. Once again, children get in for free until 5 p.m. and wristbands will be sold for $18 during the day. An open horse show at 8 a.m. gets things started, followed by an antique tractor pull and kids tractor pull at 9. The Jackson Family performs at the entertainment tent and the New York State Tractor Pullers Association will be in the grandstand at 7 p.m.
The excitement winds down Sunday, with another open horse show in the morning and two demolition derbies at 1 p.m. and again at 7.
As always, the fair Midway will light up with all the traditional rides and carnival games – catered by Colman Brothers Carnival, which has brought carnival life to the Chenango County Midway for more than 70 years. And in keeping with tradition, hundreds of cows, pigs, chickens and other farm animals will be housed in the stables at the west end of the fairgrounds. “I think the big thing for a lot of people is just to see what kind of animals we have,” Weidman said, noting that the animal attractions is what draws so many to the fair every year. “And we have a huge number of animals.”
Of course, the fair will also have a number of ongoing daily events that include a variety of free performances and activities at the entertainment tent; the Equine Exhibit, Sportsman Club activities in the Conservation Center; antique tractor displays; daily demonstrations at Floral Hall; and the Two by Two Petting Zoo. Rides open today at 4 p.m. and at 12 p.m. every day thereafter.
General admission is $5; youths ages 6-12, $3. As always, parking is free and membership passes will also be on sale through Sunday.
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