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New twists and old faves at the Columbia County Fair
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CHATHAM — Ah, the county fair: a place where it’s OK to eat bratwurst, then a bloomin’ onion, then enter a hot dog eating contest. A place where children and adults alike can be fascinated by rare animals and monster trucks of all shapes and sizes. Where you can get your hands sticky with candy apples, as well as local honey. To be sure, the Columbia County Fair is not something it would be wise to miss out on!
This year, the fair, located at the Chatham Fairgrounds, is full of the usual favorite attractions, but there are some new twists. “The big new thing is the talent contest,” said Victoria Simons, vice president of the fair. Winners from the talent contest can go on to perform at the talent contest at the New York State Fair, and it’s open to everyone in the county.
“It’s quite varied in terms of what they’ll do to perform,” said Simons. “We’re excited about that.” Application deadlines are up for entering the talent contest, but there is an audition Aug. 29 in the fairhouse where residents are welcome to try out. Full rules can be found on the fair’s web site, at http://columbiafair.com.
“We also have some new food things,” said Simons, adding that the “wonderful, usual fair food” will, of course, still be front and center. “One vendor is going to be doing smoked turkey legs,” she said. The Red Barn in Ghent will be serving pork chops on a stick.
There will also be the Bounty Cooking Contest, which offers $1,000 in prize money for the top winner and $500 for the first prize in the young cooks division, which incorporates children 12 and under. Sponsored by Ginsberg’s Foods, the only criteria is that most of the items must have been grown locally. The contest has about 70 entries already. “The deadline (to enter) was officially August 10, but we are letting people be more last minute,” Simons said. Get your applications in as soon as possible in order to compete. Judges will come from the Culinary Institute of America, and one local chef will also judge.
On Sept, 6, the fair will partner for the first time with WGNA 107.7, who will be on site with their truck doing a remote broadcast at the fair. Jo Dee Messina, who has had more number one singles on the country charts from a single album than any other singer, will perform at 3 and 8 p.m. Sept. 6. The show is free with fair admission.
Chuck Wicks, an up-and-coming country star who has also appeared on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” will perform Sept. 4 at 8 p.m., also free with fair admission.
There are also demolition derbies as always, as well as a dog agility contest, an antique tractor pull, racing pigs, and plenty of kid-friendly, and everyone-friendly entertainment. The midway offers daily one-price ride discounts. For example, on September 4, ride passes from noon until closing time are $15.
About 75,000 people go through the fair gates every year, exhibitors and showers of livestock included. Simons says she isn’t worried about low attendance due to the recession.
“If anything, I think it’s going to be up,” she said. “In a tough economy, this is terrific family entertainment. There really is something for everyone. Where can you go have that kind of full day for those prices? I think that the recession actually is going to help fair attendance.”
The fair gates officially open 3 p.m. Wednesday, Demolition Derby Day, and runs through Labor Day.
For more information, an event schedule, directions, and a map of the fairgrounds, visit the Columbia County Fair online at http://columbiafair.com.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
This year, the fair, located at the Chatham Fairgrounds, is full of the usual favorite attractions, but there are some new twists. “The big new thing is the talent contest,” said Victoria Simons, vice president of the fair. Winners from the talent contest can go on to perform at the talent contest at the New York State Fair, and it’s open to everyone in the county.
“It’s quite varied in terms of what they’ll do to perform,” said Simons. “We’re excited about that.” Application deadlines are up for entering the talent contest, but there is an audition Aug. 29 in the fairhouse where residents are welcome to try out. Full rules can be found on the fair’s web site, at http://columbiafair.com.
“We also have some new food things,” said Simons, adding that the “wonderful, usual fair food” will, of course, still be front and center. “One vendor is going to be doing smoked turkey legs,” she said. The Red Barn in Ghent will be serving pork chops on a stick.
There will also be the Bounty Cooking Contest, which offers $1,000 in prize money for the top winner and $500 for the first prize in the young cooks division, which incorporates children 12 and under. Sponsored by Ginsberg’s Foods, the only criteria is that most of the items must have been grown locally. The contest has about 70 entries already. “The deadline (to enter) was officially August 10, but we are letting people be more last minute,” Simons said. Get your applications in as soon as possible in order to compete. Judges will come from the Culinary Institute of America, and one local chef will also judge.
On Sept, 6, the fair will partner for the first time with WGNA 107.7, who will be on site with their truck doing a remote broadcast at the fair. Jo Dee Messina, who has had more number one singles on the country charts from a single album than any other singer, will perform at 3 and 8 p.m. Sept. 6. The show is free with fair admission.
Chuck Wicks, an up-and-coming country star who has also appeared on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” will perform Sept. 4 at 8 p.m., also free with fair admission.
There are also demolition derbies as always, as well as a dog agility contest, an antique tractor pull, racing pigs, and plenty of kid-friendly, and everyone-friendly entertainment. The midway offers daily one-price ride discounts. For example, on September 4, ride passes from noon until closing time are $15.
About 75,000 people go through the fair gates every year, exhibitors and showers of livestock included. Simons says she isn’t worried about low attendance due to the recession.
“If anything, I think it’s going to be up,” she said. “In a tough economy, this is terrific family entertainment. There really is something for everyone. Where can you go have that kind of full day for those prices? I think that the recession actually is going to help fair attendance.”
The fair gates officially open 3 p.m. Wednesday, Demolition Derby Day, and runs through Labor Day.
For more information, an event schedule, directions, and a map of the fairgrounds, visit the Columbia County Fair online at http://columbiafair.com.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
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