ALTAMONT – The Altamont Fair is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year with familiar favorites and brand new activities to enjoy Aug. 15-20. Whether your version of excitement is riding a rollercoaster, making crafts, enjoying freshly baked goods or having a shark encounter, the Altamont Fair has a lot of fun lined up for all ages and interests.
“It’s always great to acknowledge and celebrate a birthday,” said Pat Canaday, a member of the fair’s board of directors. “We’re not the oldest in the state, but we’re happy with where we are!”
To herald this anniversary, a giant Ferris wheel is coming from Dreamworld Amusements, said Canaday. “It’s 110 feet tall, compared to the previous, which was 70. It’s going to be very impressive!”
Canaday said there are also plenty of activities for kids besides the rides.
“If a family is not a ‘ride family’ or that’s not something they’re interested in, we have tons of activities for kids,” she said. “We pride ourselves on being accessible to families who are interested in all kinds of things.”
The Miss Altamont Fair pageant will be underway, with cookie decorating and crown making. A Make It and Take It section will present a new craft every day.
For visitors interested in reading, Books in the Barnyard will feature story times with local libraries.
“After they hear the story, they also get to take home the book as well. It’s all for free,” said Canaday.
Law enforcement and firefighters will be part of the Hometown Heroes building, where children can try on firefighter gear and climb in the trucks.
“They always do an outstanding job of sharing with the community,” noted Canaday. “There are so many aspects to the fair that people enjoy, whether it’s the food, watching the 4H kids do their presentations, or watching the animal shows with the farm animals.”
Adam Bornt, owner of Uncharted Wild, has been bringing animals to the Altamont Fair for several years and is eager to return to see the familiar faces. He said the fair is very “animal-focused.”
“For kids that really love animals, the fair is a chance to see goats, sheep, cows and all these other animals. Last year, they had a sea lion experience to learn about them,” said Bornt.
Uncharted Wild rescues a wide range of animals, from snakes and spiders to rabbits and chinchillas. Many of the animals that accompany Bornt during his show have been appearing with him for as long as a decade. The show is designed to teach audiences about rescuing, rehoming and caring for animals.
“A lot of people are afraid of snakes,” said Bornt. “I try to teach people about snakes and that they have a specific role in the environment. I get the kids handling the snakes, laughing and having a good time.”
After the show, kids are invited to come up and meet the animals for a personal experience with them.
“I want to give people that one-on-one experience,” said Bornt, describing the show as an opportunity for “real, first-han, and up-close” interactions. “It’s an opportunity to see animals that you don’t see in your backyard.”
He said his job is to help people be less afraid of animals and learn to appreciate the roles that any animal can play in life.
“Even cute and fluffy animals have stories and roles in the environment. Learning to appreciate nature — my goal is helping people get there,” he said.
Other activities planned for the week include the Royal Hanneford Circus, Sherman’s Lumberjack Show, master magician and hypnotist Michael DeSchalit, racing pigs, the Demolition Derby, and BMX on the grandstand with the FlatOut Freestyle show.
A live shark encounter will provide education about sharks, how they live and how people can help them.
“That will be a fun and educational exhibit,” said Canaday.
John Bielik will demonstrate the historic technique of paper marbling throughout the week, and Dawn Standing Woman will share Native American storytelling every evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Gazebo.
Rides that appeal to all ages include the Dizzy Dragon, Jalopy Junction, Mini Tea Cups, the train, and the merry-go-round. Other rides include favorites such as Delusion, FreeFall, Himalaya, Sky Hawk, Zipper, Dream Catcher and Screaming Eagle.
Concessions will also feature new and returning vendors. As one of the returning vendors, Michael VanDenburg is carrying on the legacy of Uncle Spuds french fries at the Altamont Fair. VanDenburg described it as a friendship that exists between Uncle Spuds and their annual customers.
The fair has changed its admission pricing structure for this year. It has lowered the price for gate admission, but is now charging a separate fee for rides. In past years, the admission included the rides. For more information about rates visit altamontfair.com/tickets.
“It’s exciting! We look forward to the fair and to the people,” said VanDenburg. “Everyone looks forward to our fresh-cut fries every year. We have hundreds of people say that they waited all year for our fries.”
His grandfather started the business 51 years ago and had vended at the Altamont Fair for 32 years. VanDenburg has been there for eight years, making Uncle Spuds a staple vendor for the past 40 years.
“It’s our hometown fair,” added VanDenburg. “It’s amazing, and it’s special to us.”
Canaday said fair organizers are looking forward to this year’s event.
“We’re hoping that a lot of families will come and enjoy it,” she said.