NORWICH – Four generations of the Proskine family have made their way to the Chenango County Fair once again this year, continuing a tradition that began more than six decades ago when father, grandfather and great grandfather Alynn Proskine first showed cattle at the fair in 1951.
The best part, according to the elder Proskine? Spending time with family and a lifetime’s worth of friends at the annual agricultural event, including his five children, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren – four of whom showed cattle at this year’s fair.
The owner of Chenango Lake Farms, Proskine, now 78, was born in Margaretville. He said he’s “still going strong” after all these years and was happy to see more children involved with the cattle show and agriculture expo at the fair.
His family, he added, has “always been involved” with the event.
Martha Vidler, Proskine’s daughter, said she’s attended the fair for as long as she can remember and called it “absolutely a family affair.” Born and raised on the family farm, she said she considers the fair to be a celebration of all things Chenango County.
“There are people that we only see once a year and it’s always nice to see those people,” she added. “You get to catch up ... you get to meet new friends.”
Chenango County Agricultural Society President Mary Weidman congratulated the Proskine family for their years of attendance and participation in the fair.
“Isn’t that something,” she added. “Agriculture, family, that’s what we’re all about. The fair is a great way to showcase agriculture and its impact on the economy here in Chenango County.”