It All Began Here

I’m sitting on the front porch of the home where I grew up. Today is set up day for the Boonville-Oneida County Fair. A flood of memories and emotions visits me here. One of my very earliest recollections, when I was probably no more than 3 or 4, is looking out the big picture window onto the fairgrounds. I knew it was fair week again or at least realized that wonderful “happening” across the street with the exciting rides, bright lights and fun was back. I recall my first “job”, selling my mom’s homemade lemonade for $1.00 a gallon to the men setting up the tents.

I was introduced to the children of the carnival operator over on the big rock where travel trailers were parked. That was our meeting spot for many, many years. I started helping set up and tear down rides at such an early age that my parents came looking for me one Saturday night, long after bedtime. The fair was my summer job in college. I did everything from pick up garbage to writing press releases. I also did a little PA announcing and it was from this experience that the famed auto stunt driver, Joie Chitwood, invited me to join his traveling stunt show one summer’s morning at breakfast. I went on to be the “voice” of the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show for 14 seasons.

When my mom’s health declined several years ago, I returned to oversee her care and again became involved in the fair. I started a program to bring less advantaged children to the fair. “Ideal Country Holiday” moved to the Dutchess County Fair with me. We will entertain over 1,000 children and their chaperones for a free day at the fair again this year.

It all came from here. This place, the professional life I have loved. While I have moved on to management of the wonderful Dutchess County Fair, my heart remains in the little fair, in the little town of Boonville. On second thought, I like to think I have a big heart, certainly big enough to hold great affection for two wonderful county fairs.

The Kid in Us All

In a pre-fair interview on a local radio station a couple years ago, the interviewer finished the interview with the observation, “Well, Bob, you sound like a kid in a candy store.” I replied, “I work in a 162 acre candy store.”

I love the work I do. Most of my career choices have been made because of my love of fairs. As a child growing up across the road from our county fair in Boonville, NY, I was aware of everything that went on at those fairgrounds from the earliest stages of preparation to the final cleanup.

As a kid, most every year, the carnival would start moving a ride or two onto the fairgrounds the week before the fair. When I saw that first ride truck, I would hop on my bicycle, tear over to the fairgrounds and just sit and stare. I can even remember the make of the truck. It was an old Diamond T.

Well, last week, little Bobby Grems got excited all over again. Powers Great American Midways, the outstanding carnival operation that provides the rides, games, and some of the food for the Dutchess County Fair pulled their first ride onto the fairgrounds. The kid in me jumped for joy. This must mean that we are in the final countdown stages for our August 24th through 29th Dutchess County Fair.

A good county fair is many things. But, it is certainly the sights, sounds, bright lights, and aromas of a carnival midway. I can’t do the rides anymore but I sure did as a child. Getting to know the family that owned the carnival that played our fair, I had unlimited free ride passes. I rode to my hearts content. The Tilt-A-Whirl, Scrambler, Ferris Wheel, Dive Bomber. Oh, the memories. Today’s modern carnival makes those “antiques” seem timid in comparison. Rides today throw you in the air to new heights, twirl you around at break neck speeds, turn you upside down and inside out. No, I can only look now and marvel at how far the mobile carnival industry has progressed.

For families that might not be considering a long trip to a major amusement park or even a closer theme park, all of the fun and excitement of carnival rides are driving distance away (or train or bus ride) in Rhinebeck, NY. The rides have changed but the “thrill a minute” fun and action is still very much available. Plan a trip. Bring your kids and the kid inside. Little Bobby Grems will be waiting for you.

Meet Bob

My home is upstate NY in a wooded area with a pond as part of my sprawling front yard. (Sorry, I only rent!) This spring, I have been able to watch a pair of Canadian Geese raise their goslings, now to full maturity. I try never to take nature for granted. The birds, deer, squirrels and chipmunks give me great pause for reflection each day.

I love NY City. I love the contrast of the quaint and quiet Rhinebeck to the hustle and bustle of NY. I left my Canadian geese this past weekend for a trip to the city. While enjoying Bryant Park, I was welcomed back to nature when a mother duck and eight chicks wandered around the massive marble fountain in the park. The stir of excitement this created with park visitors was just amazing. I immediately thought, imagine the reaction of these city inhabitants to the hundreds and hundreds of farm animals we have just 2 hours north at the Dutchess County Fair.

We are all of the earth, the land, the sea. Something inside us draws us back to nature. We are literally fed by nature. Agriculture and farming are part of all that is natural. No place on earth do we better showcase agriculture than at a wonderful county fair. If, like me, you are inclined to look to nature for pleasure, sustenance, and growth, mark your calendar for visit to Rhinebeck for the 165^thDutchess County Fair. The ducks and chicks and all of their farm friends will be waiting.