The Columbia County Fair Opens Wednesday, August 31, 2016! This year marks the fair’s 176th annual happening. As always, the fair grounds will be packed with rides, attractions, and entertainment. Following are just a few examples of what the fair has in store for us this year.
LONESTAR
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 7:00pm
MAIN STAGE, GRANDSTAND
Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar, comprised of Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar & backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards & backing vocals), has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of ten million album units since their national launch in 1995, and achieved ten #1 country hits including “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and their crossover smash “Amazed” (which was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
DEMOLITION DERBIES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 • 6:30pm
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 • 6:30pm
GRANDSTAND
Enjoy the crashin’, smashin’ action of our annual Demolition Derbies. Catch 3 heats, 4 cylinders, 6 cylinders and 8 cylinders, both nights plus a Special Mini Van heat on Wednesday night. Over $1500 in prizes given out.
MONSTER TRACTOR PULL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 • 4:00pm
GRANDSTAND
What started out many years ago with farmers bringing their favorite tractors out of the fields to the local fair and pulling the heaviest stone boat the furthest has progressed into the HEAVIEST MOTOR SPORT IN THE WORLD! Watch these modified, Super Stock and Super Farm class tractors and 4 wheel drive trucks roar past the Grandstand in hopes of a full pull, bragging rights and points towards the circuit championship!
PAINTED PONY CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 3:00pm “SLACK” COMPETITION
5:00pm RODEO START
GRANDSTAND
Capture the excitement of bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding. Hold on to your cowboy hats during the team roping, calf roping, and steer wrestling, and as the ladies race against the clock in the barrel racing contest.
EUDORA FARMS
PETTING ZOO – DAILY
Experience the all-new interactive, hands on exotic animal petting zoo. It includes 20-25 rare and exotic animals from around the world. Animal ambassadors such as, “Little Joe” (the wallaby) “Juliet” (The Scotch Highlander) “Humphrey” (The Camel) “Rascal” (The Fennec Fox) and “Kevin Bacon” (the Pot Belly Pig). All the animals bring smiles to all who meet them! Young and young at heart will enjoy Eudora Farms Petting Zoo and the thrill of a camel ride.
BRAD MATCHETT COMEDY HYPNOSIS SHOW
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 • 8:30pm
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 – 8:30pm
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 8pm
NORTHGATE STAGE
In family friendly Vegas style Hypnosis Show, C.H. Brad Matchett uses only volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of Hypnosis. Hypnosis can often be described as a deep state of Relaxation. One hour of Hypnosis is like 6 to 8 hours of sleep. We all go in and out of Hypnosis every day, driving, reading a book, watching TV even playing video games.
Eat & Drink
In addition to the countless food options, and deep-fried “insert something crazy here”, available on the fair midway, there is also one of my favorite fair attractions, the Beer Pavilion. Located behind the main grandstands, this is the perfect spot to grab a cold beer, and mingle with friends. You can also bring your fair food into the large tented pavilion. DJ Jack Bogarski returns to the Beer Pavilion for his 19th consecutive year, and will provide the musical entertainment in the pavilion. for all ages during the day The Beer Pavilion is open daily from 7pm to close.
21 and over only
Times/Location/Admission
- The Fair opens at noon on Wednesday, and 10am the rest of the days. The fair will close each night at 11pm.
- The Fair is located in Chatham, NY, at the Columbia County Agricultural Society
142 Hudson Ave. Parking is free.
- Admission is $10 for teens and adults ($15 on Sunday). Kids age 12 and under get in free every day. On Thursday, admission is free for everyone age 18 and under.
For more info, including the full schedule of events, and a map of the fair grounds, visit www.columbiafair.com, by clicking here.
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It’s going to be an end of summer blowout at Tanglewood with The B-52s and the Boston Pops!
Behold! New Lebanon is a living museum of contemporary rural American life. Their mission is to offer the public unprecedented access to contemporary rural American life — its people, their skills, ingenuity and heritage. One of the ways the museum accomplishes it’s mission is through educational and informational programs, such as the following.
From Behold! New Lebanon:
Columbia County Current 