Fairs are for friends and farmers

Agricultural fairs as we know them started two hundred years ago. They were in the very beginning, have been for 200 years, and are today, about farmers coming together. A fair provided a social function for society, then and it does today. The vast majority of our citizens 200 years ago were farmers. Today, I think the statistic is 1 or 2%. But, a fair back then, and for two centuries have been an opportunity for our farmers to showcase the very best of their livestock, the best their fields and farms could produce. I don’t know when the prized blue ribbon make its debut or the reason that farmers across the country now work, plant, and plan for months in the hope of picking up one or more of those prized blue ribbons. Right now, as I write these lines, over 1,000 individual exhibitors ,men, women, boys, and girls, are preparing everything from cows, horses, pigs, chickens, sheep, and goats to jams, jellies, quilts and fine arts for the 165^th Dutchess County Fair. They provide us the core, the essence of what an authentic county fair is all about. If we are going to save our family farm and farming, if we are going to give our citizens an appreciation for agriculture, educate them as to where the food we eat comes from, encourage young people to carry on the rich tradition of farming, we have to let our agricultural fairs lead the effort. No place on earth do we do a better job showcasing agriculture than at a county fair. So, accept the invitation and come August 24^th through the 29^th to the largest 6 day county fair east of the Mississippi. Come, experience the wonders of agriculture and learn more about it by rubbing shoulders with our farmers. Come and ask a farmer or two why year after year, decade after decade, century after century,t hat blue ribbon has been the incentive to get them off the farm and share with us one of our richest and most noble traditions, the county fair.

One Final Blog From Boonville

I make this final entry from the place of my birth, the beautiful backyard garden that my family has maintained for as long as I can remember. There’s a sign coming out of Rome, NY that reads, “Boonville, just 25 minutes to Heaven” This is a wonderful little village. Just on the borderline of the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The scenic ponds, lakes, and streams attract tourists from afar. Several years ago, a joint commission of county governments proposed creating a landfill up the road in Ava, NY. A local group of activist citizens and concerned residents kept the issue in the courts and the dump out of our beautiful, bucolic setting for many years. In the end, the “wisdom” of the original commission and the need to bury our garbage someplace, won out. I have not been by the dump or “landfill” as the “authorities” like to call, lately. So, I don’t know if the thousands of sea gulls have take up residence there or the smell of rotting garbage fills the countryside, or if the runoff of toxic waste that was so feared has come to fruition. I only know right now as I sit writing this, one tractor trailer after another rolls up the street just beyond this beautiful garden. All day, they come and go. Back and forth. So, children are at risk during the school year as the big rigs drive past the two major schools servicing the area, every day. And the way of life of this wonderful little village has been permanently interrupted.

At the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, I always say, “It would be totally inconsistent for us to be here to showcase agriculture and not be a good friend of the environment. Our Aug. 24^th through 29^th fair, will be a zero landfill event, in addition to all of our reclamation efforts. All of our garbage will be transported to nearby burn plants and regenerated into energy. Having my peace interrupted this morning by a parade of garbage trucks that despite the best efforts of the good people of this area were not able to stop, makes me more committed than ever to trying to be a good friend to the environment.

An Ideal Country Holiday

Rhinebeck, NY—On Wednesday, August 25th, the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, which produces the annual Dutchess County Fair, will play host the second "Ideal Country Holiday" event. Invitations will be extended through agencies of the Dutchess County Youth Bureau to as many as 1,000 children and their chaperones to attend the fair’s “Ideal Country Holiday”. This is a special program allowing children who might not have transportation or the financial means, the opportunity to attend their county fair.

The children will be treated to free admission, four hours of free carnival rides, an “Ideal Country Holiday T-shirt”, and lunch. Where needed, bus transportation will also be provided. While the emphasis is on creating a fun filled day at the county fair, there will also be an educational component allowing the children the opportunity to learn more about the value and importance of agriculture in their lives.

In addition to the fair’s support, the day will be subsidized by donations to the newly formed nonprofit 501c3 Dutchess County Agricultural Society Scholarship and Youth Empowerment Fund, Inc. Individuals, businesses, clubs, and organizations are invited to contribute. The cost to sponsor a child is $50.00 and donations can be made to DCAS S&YEF, Inc. and sent to PO Box 389, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

Commenting on the program, the fair’s GM, Bob Grems, said. “We do many wonderful things and share great experiences with our 400,000 guests each summer. This program will provide an opportunity to extend the experiences of the county fair to some children who might not be able to attend, otherwise. I have no doubt that this will be the best day of the summer for these children.”

Making It Come Together

The portable nature of the traveling carnival industry has always intrigued me. I’m writing another blog from my front porch in Boonville, watching as the carnival continues its setup for my hometown fair across the street. Just 24 hours ago, they were totally set up, 25 miles away in another small upstate town. By 4:00 pm tomorrow afternoon, the wheels will again be turning on the rides. The pop corn will be popped and all of the other food stands will be operating. The game trailers will all be stocked and the “agents” ready for another week’s work. When I was a kid, some carnival food was unique. The only place you could get cotton candy was at the county fair and you looked forward to it every year. Today, it’s readily available at any number of outlets.

Another of the most interesting aspects of the carnival business is how “plush”, the stuffed animals people will pay good money to win at carnival games is still the prize of choice. Everything from bicycles to TV’s has been offered as prizes to attract players. Stuffed animals still provide the magnet that pulls people into a game. This despite the fact that nearly every attic in America is filled with the fury critters.

Looks like the setup here is progressing, nicely. The carnival that plays the Dutchess County Fair won’t have it so easy with such a short “jump”. They tear down on a Saturday night and while they won’t open again until 10 am the following Tuesday morning (Aug. 24^th), they have to travel nearly 400 miles from Gathersburg, MD to Rhinebeck, NY. All of this effort will make the near magical transformation of another vacant fairgrounds into the marvelous midway that will entertain our 350,000 plus visitors. I’m excited!!!

The Clintons Discover Rhinebeck

RHINEBECK, RHINEBECK, RHINEBECK – I would certainly be remiss if I did not take a few moments to comment on the other big event in RHINEBECK this summer, the weekend’s Chelsea Clinton wedding. In my job, I have the opportunity to speak with people all over the country on a daily basis. For the past two weeks or so, I hardly spoke with a person that did not know or ask questions about the wedding. It really put our wonderful village on the map! Of greatest significance, I believe, is the geography lesson. Now, millions of people know that they are a train ride away or driving distance to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.

The little town was a bevy of activity from Friday on. And the former President certainly gave local residents and tourists in for a “gawk” or two a real treat when he opted to enjoy lunch at Gi Gi Trattoria on the village’s main thoroughfare. The number of media outlets present was staggering. While our fairgrounds helicopter pad was not required and the traffic gridlock that was predicted didn’t happen, the village enjoyed a great weekend of activity. Residents won’t forget this event for a very long time.

Why Rhinebeck? Well, visit once and the question will be answered. The former President and Secretary of State have visited here on more than a couple of occasions. This is a lovely, quaint village with beautiful shops and great restaurants. Astor Courts where the wedding was held provided exceptional security advantages. Thankfully, the community and the guests honored the wishes of the couple to make this a private affair.

The Clintons have discovered Rhinebeck. The world knows us better now, too. From August 24^th through the 29^th, I believe many more people than ever before are going to want to discover Rhinebeck, also. In coming to the fair, guests will experience the beautiful village and so much more. Since 1919, the fairgrounds have been a playground for people throughout the greater Hudson Valley. We have showcased agriculture, entertained, educated and enriched people’s lives. Always, with the hope of getting them back again and again. After this weekend’s wedding, we believe there will be more first time visitors with every confidence that they will become repeaters. If the Clinton family found Rhinebeck, everyone else out there can too.