When the student is ready, the teacher arrives.

The 166^th Dutchess County Fair is in the history books and we’ll never forget this one! We survived an earthquake on opening day, monsoon like rains during the Kellie Pickler concert, AND Hurricane Irene. I am far too much of an optimist to remember this fair for the unfortunate aspects that influenced it so negatively. Even as I deal with my sadness, I have to remember it for the wonderful parts. It was a great fair!

I love the quote, “When the student is ready, the teacher arrives.” This fair taught me so much. It reinforced that the fair is so wholesome, so good, so important to everyone who works here, everyone who comes to enjoy it. There is a reason fairs have been part of our social fabric for 200 years. It taught me the importance of seeking input and counsel in making important and difficult decisions. It taught me to put things in perspective. No-one was killed or seriously injured, everyone got off the fairgrounds safely, no physical damage was done to the fairgrounds.

Most of all, however, it taught me that this fair has a personality, almost a human quality. After making the decision to close the fair completely on Friday night, I heard from any number of people that while it was the right decision, it made them sad. You say that at a wake, not when an event is cancelled. That is unless you love it and enjoy it and value it and know how significant the event is in your life. Not unless you work hard, give your body and soul to the effort because you believe in it and want to be a part of it.

We will recover from this. We are already working on the 167^th Dutchess County Fair which will run next summer from August 21^st through the 26^th. On our infield today stands our wonderful Sand Castle built to completion before our early closing. It stands as a monument to our endurance, our faith in the value and importance of this fair in the grand scheme of things. Neither wind nor rain, earth quake or hurricane could destroy it. It was built to stand the elements. I assure you, the Dutchess County Fair is built of the same stuff.

We love what we do

We’re really having some fun now! Our food and commercial vendors are pouring onto the fairgrounds. There are already carnival rides in the air. The entire “show” will arrive from Gaithersburg, MD on Sunday. Farmers are preparing their places in the barns on livestock hill. They will bring in the livestock on Sunday. Tons of sand are piled on the infield waiting to be compressed before the carvers assemble to create another wonderful sand castle. It just gets busier and busier and the fun and excitement build each day now.

The average person who will visit the 166^th Dutchess County Fair next week (Aug. 23 – 28) does not get to see all of this. They see only the finished product. For those of us in the business, the final preparations are almost as exciting as the fair itself. Despite gas prices and the troubling economic conditions, I believe we will have a record year if the weatherman cooperates. The county fair is an opportunity for us to leave worries and woes behind for a few hours. Our invitation to our guests is to just have you come and play. Come and learn about the value and importance of agriculture. Come and let your children and/or the child inside you enjoy some wholesome family entertainment. We have worked hard getting ready. We love what we do. We hope you will love your day at the fair.

A Little Something for Everyone!

I visited three of our sister fairs in New York State last week and once again am reminded why I love county fairs and am absolutely convinced that they are important for many reasons. The fact that we have been producing fairs for 200 years speaks to their importance. They have become part of our social fabric. It is the place where farm families socialized when farmers comprised the majority of our population. Fairs gave farmers the opportunity to select the best of their livestock, the finest products grown in their fields, and the nicest handmade articles and delicacies of the rural kitchen that mom could ready for the fair. The exhibitors and the exhibits still form the essence of our county fairs today. Our entries closed this week and our staff in that department worked tirelessly processing the THOUSANDS of entries.

Of course, a county fair is many things. So, while our exhibitors are getting their entries ready, families all over the Hudson Valley and beyond are starting to make their plans to join us from August 23^rd through the 28th in Rhinebeck, NY. Our advance sale ticket numbers are soaring because the public is getting the message that now is the time to buy tickets at the lowest prices. Just visit dutchessfair.com and save on admissions, concert tickets, rides and food.

From the hundreds of farm, exotic and Rain Forest animals to all of the entertaining free shows and attractions, from the museums, arts and crafts, hundreds of food concessionaires and commercial vendors, from the most spectacular carnival on the East Coast to big name grandstand entertainment, the 166^th Dutchess County Fair will once again offer something for everyone. We hope you are planning on coming to see for yourself!

Come and Play for a Day!

We’re really having some fun on the Dutchess County Fairgrounds now! In just three weeks, we will be in full operation. I love this part of fair production. After months and months of pre-event planning, you actually start to see the fairgrounds change, daily. The big tents go up. This weekend, we had our warm up to the fair with a major Holstein show. Finishing touches are made to our beautiful gardens. Everywhere you look; people are rushing around to put the final pieces of the puzzle together for our August 23^rd opening.

The county fair runs to the depth of my being. This past Sunday, I returned home to Boonville, NY and visited the county fair where it all began for me. We take the fair for granted because it has been part of our lives for most of our lives. After spending two days recently in New York City at Farmer’s Markets, I know not everyone does. As a matter of fact, there are many, many people who do not even know what a county fair is all about. Universally, however, in hundreds of one on one conversations with our friends in the city, there was great interest and enthusiasm when I explained what a county fair is all about.

If there is a more wonderfully wholesome family event on earth, you would have to take me there and show it to me. For the celebration of life itself in the variety of offerings, for the opportunity the fair gives us to showcase agriculture and help promote our local family farms, for the entertainment value, for the opportunity to come and play for a day, leaving all of the cares and worries of the world behind, there is just no place like the county fair. It is our hope that thousands in the area have marked their calendars for a visit to the Dutchess County Fair, August 23^rd through the 28^th.

What really is a "Country Fair"?

Having grown up directly across the street from a wonderful county fair, it is amazing to me that there are many in our society who don’t know the first thing about a county fair. Case in point, last week I was talking to a sales executive in New York City. I was telling her of our need to educate the public in the Metro area about county fairs. They have wonderful street festivals but, they really don’t know what a county fair is all about. The young woman informed me that she had been to a county fair so she knew what a county fair was. When questioned further about what county fair she had visited (because I have been to hundreds of them), her reply came quickly, “Oh, I went to a Renaissance Festival once.”

Many events use the name “fair”. There are book fairs and science fairs and street fairs. But, if the event does not showcase agriculture and feature competition in various categories of animal showmanship, domestic and fine arts exhibits, it is not a county fair. Last year at the Dutchess County Fair, we had 1700 individual exhibitors bring to the fair over 10,000 individual entries. Now, that’s a county fair. And I don’t expect anything less this year.

We are in the midst of the celebration of 200 years of agricultural fairs in America, as we know them. Our fair here is the largest six day county fair in the state and probably east of the Mississippi. It is recognized by industry insiders, those who travel to and make their livings at fairs, as one of the bestin the country.

I love the quote, “When the student is ready, the teacher arrives.” As a former Social Studies teacher, I would like to invite especially those who do not know about the wonders of the county fair to mark their calendars for Aug. 23 through 28 and come to Rhinebeck, NY for the Dutchess County Fair. The teacher is waiting!

Fairgrounds Announces Bixby's "Dare to be Dazzled" Tour

On a sunny day or beautiful night, there is really no place on earth were I would rather be than on a fairgrounds. On a rainy day, that same fairgrounds is the last place I want to be. I was faced with just those realities this past weekend during the 4^th of July Great American Celebration on the Dutchess Co. Fairgrounds. Saturday night’s rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the drivers in the Demolition Derby but, it certainly kept our attendance low and generally gave all of us the blahs!

Contrast that with Monday night and our 4^th of July Hudson Valley Philharmonic Concert with fireworks. With stars in the sky and just the slightest slivery moon overhead, we felt magic in the air! Literally thousands came; men, women and children. We celebrated our freedom, had fun, and savored the wonderful music and brilliant fireworks display.

With the enthusiasm of kids on Christmas morning, or remembering the excitement of blowing out the candles on our birthday cake at a very young age, we now totally turn our attention to the 166^th Dutchess County Fair. It will take place on this same fairgrounds from August 23^rd through the 28^th. This year, I think I want to call it “The Year of the Child”. We are emphasizing that children under 12 come to the fair free of charge. So, we are using our pre-fair brochure to do a better job of explaining to kids who might not know anything about a county fair, exactly what we are all about.

We are using our friend, Bixby who will return to the fair with his Rainforest Experience to conduct the “Dare to Be Dazzled” tour. In our pre-fair brochure, he will walk children through all of the magic, the fun, the animals, the rides, games, and food, the gardens, the museums and everything else that defines us as a wonderful county fair.

Whether you have kids or are just a kid at heart, set the dates aside, Aug. 23 – 28. Rhinebeck, NY is the place to be. Come and “dare to be dazzled” at the 166^th Dutchess Co. Fair.

2011 Spring Crafts at Rhinebeck Show

If your weekend plans are still a bit unsettled, you may wish to consider joining us on the beautiful Dutchess County Fairgrounds for Crafts at Rhinebeck. For 35 years, this “Juried” show has attracted hundreds of artists from all over the country.

Before I got involved with the DC Fairgrounds, I didn’t even know what “juried” meant. It means you must make everything you display and sell by hand. Your one of a kind handmade items must be of sufficient quality, uniqueness and distinction to be voted into the show by a jury of fellow artists. While the jury system may exclude some, it welcomes in all the best artists who tour and sell their art at shows like Crafts at Rhinebeck. You can come here and purchase museum quality art for a lot of money. To me, it would be priceless art. But, I assure you that you can also come here and find some very beautiful items, great gifts for family and friends AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES. I have family and friends that visit this show almost every year and they go home with bags of unique gifts. And none of us are wealthy people! The show runs Friday night (June 17^th) from 6 to 8 pm, Saturday, (June 18^th) from 10 to 6 and Sunday, (June 19^th) from 10 to 5.

Admission is just $7.00, children under 12 are free and there are special activities for the children. Parking is also free. If you attend Friday night, you will be treated to a wine and cheese reception and your $7.00 ticket will be good for a return visit on Saturday or Sunday. Sunday is Fathers Day and there will be a free glass of wine or beer for dad with a coupon from our Crafts at Rhinebeck print ads or by visiting our website, craftsatrhinebeck.com. Hope to see you here!

A Tradition of Excellence

The 165^th Dutchess County Fair was hugely successful by any standard of measurement. Preliminary attendance figures indicate that the paid attendance was 143,069 with an estimated overall attendance of 325,481. While the weather forecast the first two days and 90 degree temps on the final day did hold the numbers down to some degree, these attendance figures are HUGE for a six day fair.

It was also an excellent fair because we were able to maintain our agricultural integrity with 1184 exhibitors fielding 7,428 individual exhibits. Survey results continue to reflect that the majority of our patrons come to see all of the agricultural exhibits. This holds us true to and consistent with our mission to educate the public and showcase agriculture, still the number one industry in New York State.

From the new Sand Castle to Bixby’s Rain Forest Rescue and the 40 Top News Stories of Our Times, the $100,000 investment in new shows and attractions proved very popular with our guests. Concert enthusiasts were treated to some great entertainment in front of the main stage with Broadway music, the best of Country featuring the legendary George Jones, Joe Nichols, Gloriana, and current country superstars, Montgomery Gentry. Foreigner “blew the roof off the joint” Friday night with a sensational concert.

Plans are already underway for the 166^th Dutchess County Fair which will be held next summer from August 23^rd through the 28^th. As the recession continues to press on, wars and violence all over the world persists, pressures at home continue, we look forward to again providing an outlet for wholesome family fun and quality entertainment in 2011. To all who assisted us in making this year’s production a success and any and all that will join us in producing next year’s classic fair event, we offer our gratitude. Thank you for your contributions to our important work and for helping us continue “the tradition of excellence” that is the Dutchess County Fair.

It’s Over . . .Again

As a child, the fair at home never ended without little Bobby Grems crying. I shed a tear or two this year, too . . .and big Bob Grems is 63 years old! I cried because it will take 365 days for the next Dutchess County Fair to return. I cried for the young soldier that we remembered at each evening’s grandstand show that was buried last week. Did he ever make it to the Dutchess County Fair? I cried tears of happiness for the 1130 children and chaperones who visited during “Ideal Country Holiday”. These were kids who could never have been fair go-ers without the generous support of a caring community. Angry tears flowed when I remembered the fights with the Poughkeepsie Journal over a totally unfair and inaccurate front page article three days before the fair on food safety. The most respected fair man I know read that article by Sarah Bradshaw and commented, “That is the worst piece of fair journalism I have read in 40 years.”

A little grief and sadness is not all bad, a few tears cleanse as does an early morning rain. Like life itself, the down times help us appreciate the good times. And were there ever good times at the 165^th Dutchess County Fair. Over 1500 adults and children took the time to prepare, deliver, and pick up over 7500 individual entries, helping keep alive the tradition of what a good county fair should be. Five fabulous concerts of big name talent filled the night air. Wonderful free shows ; so many you could never see all of them in one day. Lots of fair food and tens of thousands of gallons of freshly squeezed lemonade. Families and friends gathering, renewing acquaintances. A spectacular fireworks display to end it all on Sunday night.

I don’t get the criticism, any criticism of the fair unless it is reflective of these troubled times. But it is precisely because these are difficult days that we need to provide an alternative, emphasize the positive, showcase agriculture and its importance, create a forum for family fun that our sights are clearly set on the 166^th Dutchess County Fair. The detractors and critics beware! You will not stop or even slow down this effort. If we have been able to endure wars and depressions and not only survive but, thrive, you will not stop us. Our work is too important, our mission too worthy, our past too glorious to allow you to turn our efforts back now. The 166^th Dutchess County Fair happens next summer from August 23^rd through the 28^th. Mark your calendar, everyone. And, thanks to all who came and had fun with us this year.

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.

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.