SCHAGHTICOKE – This year, the Schaghticoke Fair will celebrate its 204th anniversary. The Rensselaer County attraction, located in the heart of Schaghticoke, will open its gates to visitors Wednesday, Aug. 30 and run through Monday, Sept. 4.
Dollar Day is back by popular demand. Visitors who go to the fair on opening day – or “dollar day” – will be let inside for $1 adult admission and $1 ride (any ride). Also new this year for entry admission is a $30 flat-rate carload admission from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31. Seniors 62-years-old and up can enter the fair for $5, and there will be free admission all day for veterans and active duty with military ID on the 31st as well.
General admission to the fairgrounds is $15 per person, children 13 and under-free. Parking is free daily.
Fair patrons who wish to watch an evening and weekend show inside the Grandstand would have to purchase a $2.50 ticket in advance online on the fairgrounds website. Shows occurring at the Grandstand include The Lucky E. Rodeo, NYTPA Tractor Pulls, VT Tractor Pullers, Truck Pulls, and Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby. Box seats for the Grandstand Events will be sold via live auction on Monday, Sept. 4, at the fairgrounds, at noon.
What to see at the fair
Returning this year are the live animals and local exhibits, the petting zoo, Grandstand Motor Sports, and the Royal Hanneford Circus. Also coming to the fair is the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean highwire act.
A fireworks show, sponsored by Quick Response, will take place Saturday evening.
Enjoy free, live entertainment at the Park Stage. Visitors can listen to performances by the Nick Horace Trio and Sugarskull Band (Aug. 30), Donny Elvis and Vegas McGraw, a Tim McGraw tribute show from Las Vegas (Aug. 31), North and South Dakotas and hot new Nashville artist Austin Snell (Sept. 1). Also performing are the Mountain Gators Band, Get Zep (Sept. 2), Sean Rowe and Legacy (Sept. 3), Nashville outlaw singer/songwriter Jimmy Parker and Southbound Renegade (Sept. 4).
All exhibits and events will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Tickets for the fair will be available at the gate and also available at a discount in advance at Price Chopper stores and online. Visit the fair website for more information, www.schaghticokefair.org.