VOORHEESVILLE — This year marks the 76th Annual Punkintown Fair for the New Salem Volunteer Fire Department.
A favorite summer tradition for many, the fair is held during the last full weekend in July and offers three evenings of fun-filled activities for the whole family. This year, the Punkintown Fair will take place on Thursday, July 26 through Saturday, July 28, culminating in a fireworks display on Saturday night. The fair opens each evening at 6 p.m. and admission and parking are free.
Originally held as a fundraiser for troops overseas, the Punkintown Fair has grown into the largest annual fundraiser for the fire department since its inception in 1949.
“The fair is definitely a community tradition,” said Katy Carl of the Punkintown Fair Committee. “Each year we love seeing so many familiar faces in the crowd!”
In addition to fair games, carnival rides (suitable for every age), great food, live music and karaoke, a fair raffle will award one lucky winner a grand prize of $2,000. (Second place wins $1,000 and third place wins $500. There are also smaller items, provided by local businesses, that will be won by raffle ticket holders.) Residents of the fire district receive tickets in the mail and are invited to purchase them for $5, either by mail or at the fair. Everyone else can buy tickets during the fair at the announcer’s booth.
The Punkintown Fair is located directly across the street from the New Salem Fire House in Voorheesville, at 694 New Salem Road.
“All three nights are sure to be packed with good food and fun,” said Carl. “We hope to see everyone there again this year!”
Please visit the fire department website at www.newsalemvfd.org for additional information and updates as the event gets closer.
