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!

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.