As of 2004, data showed that there were 574 farms in Saratoga County – so it’s no wonder the Saratoga County Fair is still going strong after170 years running.
Bill Schwerd, president of the fair and executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Saratoga County said the fair draws so many people it’s like a small city for one week.
The 171st fair runs from Tuesday, July 17, through Sunday, July 22, at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. According to Susan Farnsworth, a publicist for the fair, the event typically attracts between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors over the course of the week.
“It’s the most exciting time of year with the local farm families and animals coming in and moving in for a week,” said Schwerd.
Indeed, the fair wouldn’t be what it is without families associated with farms and 4-H. There will be over 3,000 exhibits from 4-Hers over the course of the fair including static exhibits with clothing and bird houses to livestock displays involving dairy demonstrations, cattle, goats, draft horses and oxen.
Interestingly, oxen are making a bit of a comeback to area farms and are a new addition to the exhibits this year.
“The oxen have some advantages over draft horses. They tend to be slower but have more power,” said Schwerd. He added that farmers are always willing to talk with the public and take questions. The sighting of some oxen may just conjure up a few.
Issue Leader for 4-H Youth Programs Mary Fairley said about 200 4-Hers ranging in age from 5 to 19 will be participating in exhibits at the fair.
While it may seem that 3,000 is too many displays to see, Fairley said each 4-H member is able to have his or her cow, for example, entered in up to six different classes, each entry counting as a display.
“The exhibits are the last part of their educational component, being evaluated. It’s everything from dresses they’ve sewn to flowers they’ve grown,” she said.
She added the animals are a big draw for folks to the fair because a lot of it is tradition and it’s something that the whole family can come and see.
“It’s an opportunity for them to share with the public what they’ve done all year. … We also have some exhibits oriented to science and technology like robotics that we’ve been incorporating for the past five to eight years,” said Fairley.
“Agriculture is an extremely important part of the fair…it gives children the connections to where their food comes from,” said Farnsworth. She added that food is the biggest draw, after the animals.
Of course, the animals aren’t the entire fair, and there are some additions to the venue itself this year, including a new power line and two new buildings.
Programming-wise, new this year are The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, vegetable spearing and mouth juggling by Matt Baker (a spear mounted atop Matt’s helmet helps) and Haai, Inc.’s Live Shark Encounter.
Fair Vice President Frank Griffin said that the shark show includes two tractor trailers, one equipped with an aquarium. As of Tuesday, July 10, the trailers had arrived and were being set up.
“It’s a great new addition. … The fish tank opens on the side and the second trailer is a living shark museum with shark skeletons. It’s not just a show,” said Griffin.
He added the fair has witnessed such success because “there is something for everyone to see from 8 to 80.”
Carnival elements such as the midway and rides are also always a hit, as are the musical acts.
Music in the Live Music Pavilion will include J. Collins, Skeeter Creek and Lost Cantina. According to Farnsworth, many acts come from as far as Nashville to entertain the masses at the fair.
The fairgrounds are located at 162 Prospect Street in Ballston Spa. The Fair is open 9 a.m. to midnight daily and the midway is open from noon to midnight every day, except Sunday when it closes at 11 p.m. The Live Music Pavilion is open every night at 8 p.m. Concessions are open daily from 10 a.m.to 10 p.m.
General admission is $10 with special gate premiums offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Parking in all lots managed by the fair is free.
For more information on the fair visit saratogacountyfair.org.
