by Kristina Gabalski
The Monroe County Fair is set to open Thursday, August 1 for a four day run at its new location in Northampton Park in the Town of Ogden.
Fair officials say the event, which runs through Sunday, August 4, will be an opportunity to see great exhibits, competitions, and to celebrate the youth, agriculture and technology of Monroe County.
Monroe County Legislator Robert Colby, who is also a member of the Monroe County Fair Association, says this year’s fair will have a different focus than the carnival atmosphere it has had in the past. “It is a different type of event … with a change in the focus to a more family friendly event,” he says.
Exhibits will be the heart of this year’s fair, officials say, with youth and open shows for animals, flowers, vegetables, foods, arts and crafts.
Pulling competitions for lawnmowers, tractors and horses are planned Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and in addition to midway fair food treats, local concessions including LuGia’s ice cream, Barton’s Hots and yogurt parfaits from Upstate Niagara Milk will be available.
The midway features kid-friendly rides for ages 12 and under as well as entertainment and games for the whole family.
The entertainment schedule includes live music and performances are free with fair admission. Friday, August 2, it’s Free Ride performing from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, August 3, Border Town performs from 6 to 10 p.m.; and on Sunday, August 4, it’s the Johnny Bauer Band from 1 to 5 p.m.
A farmers market is planned with fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers on sale and the Monroe County Dairy Princess and her court will also be visiting the fair.
Animal shows including rabbits, cavies, sheep, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, meat and dairy goats as well as horse and horse driving shows are scheduled each day throughout the fair.
On Sunday, August 4, a 4-H Fun Show will be held at 2 p.m. and a 4-H Animal Costume Class is set for 3:30 p.m.
“We’re excited about the new location,” Colby says. He notes that “three or four local service groups and three local churches” will be participating in the fair. The church groups are holding children’s events like face painting and a puppet show. “These community groups reached out to welcome the fair,” Colby says.
Final preparations for the fair site are being completed, Colby adds. Tents were set to be erected the weekend of July 27 and Colby says the horse arena is also close to being finished.
“The water line has been improved,” he says, and highway crews from the towns of Ogden, Sweden, Hamlin and Clarkson have been working on a tight time schedule to prepare the site. The towns have completed the fair preparation work for the county, Colby explains, and then the Fair Association reimburses the county for the cost.
Traffic safety concerns are also being addressed, with free parking located on the east side of Hubbell Road. The fair entrance is adjacent to the current sledding hill parking lot and fair parking must be accessed from Colby Street. Cars will not be allowed to turn on to Hubbell from Route 31. Only people heading east will be allowed to exit from Hubbell onto Route 31 (right turn only).
Fair hours are Thursday, August 1, 1 to 10 p.m.; Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, August 4, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $7; Seniors 62+ are $6 and children 12 and under are free.
“We look forward to welcoming all who come,” Colby says.
