FAIR TO HONOR LATE SUPERVISOR
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Opening ceremonies for Saratoga County Fair that begins Tuesday will include a dedication to late Galway Supervisor Paul Lent, who passed away last month in a farming accident.
Lent was a longtime fair exhibitor and superintendent of its Draft Horse Department, in addition to being a Saratoga County Agricultural Society director for many years.
Also, he was instrumental in implementing the large new animal wash rack, the first in New York state, located next to the horse arena where ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m.
“Dedication of this stateof-the-art-facility will be made in Paul’s memory as part of the opening ceremony,” said Deb Czech, fair spokesperson. “All of this week’s horse shows will be held in his honor, too.”
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the week-long fair, which runs through Sunday, featuring more than 850 exhibitors, 32 midway rides, a wide variety of food concessions, live music performances, agricultural displays and events, and eight special entertainment acts offering performances throughout each day. All attractions and entertainment — excluding food, drinks, rides and midway games — are free with the price of admission.
The schedule for Tuesday is: County Draft Horse Show
9 a.m. — Opening Ceremonies
10 a.m. — County Draft Horse Show
Noon — Rosaire’s Royal Racers: racing pigs fly around a 180-foot track
1 p.m. — 4-H Goat Show (location: Peck Building)
1 p.m. — Donut Eating Contest (location: Grandstand Meadow, Stage 1)
2 p.m. — Making Jams & Jellies, Cornell Cooperative Extension
2:30 p.m. — World of Wonders carnival acts
4 p.m. — Saratoga County Fair Pageant
5:45 p.m. — Dedication of Arthur Z. Solomon Equine Education Building
6 p.m. — North American 6-Horse Hitch Competition
7 p.m. — Motion Blur band
7:30 p.m. — Double M Professional Rodeo
Wednesday is senior discount day when admission is $5 for persons 65 and older.
Entertainment on Wednesday includes a 4-H Dairy Show, Masters of the Chainsaw, Wild Wheels Thrills Show, the Grit N Grace band (7 p.m.) and Double M Professional Rodeo (7:30 p.m.)
The fair’s mission is to not only entertain, but also to educate the public on the variety of agricultural activity within the county. It showcases the accomplishments of participants in competitions, ranging from antiques to vegetables, while also teaching about the history of Saratoga County traditions and offering a glimpse into its future.
The 4-H program showcases the projects of local students who are learning about subjects such as food and nutrition, conservation, robotics and horticulture.
Since 2014 the fair has produced a limited release microbrew especially for fair patrons. This year, working with Artisanal Brew Works on Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs, this microbrew will be made with only New York state grains, brewed just minutes from the fairgrounds, and available only during fair week.
This year’s new entertainers are the Great Lakes Timber Show (wood chopping, log rolling), World of Wonders (fire eaters, knife throwers), Wild Wheels Thrill Show (featuring antique Indian and vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles), and high-energy juggler Jason Tardy.
The fair is open from 9 a.m. to midnight daily. The midway and Live Music Pavilion are open from noon to midnight.