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.

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!!!

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.