Schaghticoke Fair to kick off 197th edition
SCHAGHTICOKE >> People will once again be able to close out their summer at the 197th annual Schaghticoke Fair, which opens Wednesday and continues through Labor Day.
The third oldest fair in New York state prides itself as a showcase for the best that Rensselaer County residents and agriculture have to offer. Building after building will be filled with vegetables, fruits, animals, antiques, baked goods and homemade crafts.
The theme of this year’s fair theme is “Made in the USA,” with fair manager Carly Reyna explaining the theme was picked for a couple different reasons.
“We arrived with Made in the USA for sure because there is a real patriotism here, a love of our country,” she said. “We proudly boast a beautiful Veteran’s Hall, and it is an election year.”
Once the committee picks the theme each year, local schoolchildren have the opportunity to draw original artwork that will be on display throughout the fair. This year, Allison Acton, a 10th-grader at Hoosic Valley Central School, submitted the winning artwork, which will also be printed on commemorative Tshirts.
The fair kicks off at noon Wednesday, with the fairgrounds opening at 10 a.m. on the remaining days and staying open each night until 10 p.m.
General admission tickets are $5 on opening day, $11 for the rest of the fair, with children ages 13 and younger getting in free and season tickets available for $40. Parking is also free.
Opening day is also Military Appreciation Day, with all veterans and active-duty military get in free with military identification, while Thursday is Senior Citizen Day, with people 62 and older getting in for $5.
Reyna said that she became full-time fair manager in March, she has heard criticism from