In a New York State tradition that dates back to 1816, on October 1 and 2 Genesee Country Village & Museum presents its 37th annual Fall Festival & Agricultural Fair with all the color, excitement and festivities of days past. This year youth 18 and under are admitted free.
A Saturday highlight is the Celebrity Cast Iron Chef Competition, featuring local celebrity chefs New York Wine & Culinary Center executive chef Andrew Chambers; Dan Eaton, host of YNN’s “Cooking at Home;” and Gary A. Giusti, store chef at Chili-Paul Wegmans Food Markets.
Radio host Michael Warren Thomas will emcee the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event. Visitors will be able to taste samples of the items being prepared and enter into a give-away of an enameled Lodge cast iron pot.
In addition, prize-winning sheep, oxen and cows will go on display, as well as a poultry show, sponsored by the Rochester Poultry Association. On Saturday watch the goat show and competition hosted by the Genesee Valley Dairy Goat Club.
Eye-catching 19th-century fruits and vegetables will also be found in a special horticultural tent.
A horse-powered threshing machine at work. Provided photo
The event will exhibit more than 120 categories of judged baked goods, preserves, hand-made needlecrafts and the industrial arts – including tin, iron and wooden wares; pottery; cooperage (barrel making); printing; and broom and soap making. Youth compete in nearly 30 different aged categories, from penmanship and pressed flowers to photography and pie, any flavor.
The competitions are open to the public, and most have both 19th- and 21st-century categories. Entrants will receive one-day free admission to the fair.
Visitors can also:
•Experience a 19th-century magic show
•Applaud an old-time Punch & Judy Puppet Show
•Visit the Phrenology Tent for a lesson in interpreting the shape of one’s skull – believed (in the 1800s) to indicate one’s character traits.
•Tour the museum’s working 19th-century brewery.
•Listen to the museum’s vocal group – The Genesee Harmonic Society – (Sunday only) in a 2 p.m. concert.
•Have their fortunes told by a 19th-century fortune teller.
•Cheer on the museum vintage baseball teams as they battle for the Mayor’s Cup Championship trophy at Silver Base Ball Park – the only replica 1800s baseball park in the nation. Consolation game is Saturday; championship game is Sunday, both at 1 p.m.
•Shop the Market Tent with vendors offering specialty items, all locally grown or crafted.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission costs adults $20; seniors 62+ & students with ID $17; and free for youth 18 and under. For further information, visit www.gcv.org or call 294-8218.
Provided information
