FAIR FAMILY STRONG
Saratoga County Fair opens with a tribute to Paul Lent
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Late Galway Supervisor Paul Lent must have been smiling down on Saratoga County Fair, as sunshine broke through overcast skies during Tuesday’s opening ceremonies, held in his honor.
A longtime fair board member, promoter and exhibitor, Lent passed away tragically last month while performing agricultural work on his property.
“He pretty much dotted our i’s and crossed our t’s for everything done here at the fairgrounds,” said Tammy Ballestero, president of Saratoga County Agricultural Society, which runs the week-long event.
This year’s theme is “Fair Family Strong,” in remembrance of Lent and late fair General Director Jeff Townsend who passed away unexpectedly in May.
“These people worked too hard to see us fail, so we’re going to pull it together,” Ballestero said.
State agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball urged everyone involved to be “mindful of the traditions” Lent and Townsend worked hard to preserve in their respective jobs.
“We have to go forward,” he said. “Agriculture is very much about history. It’s so much a part of the social fabric of upstate New York.”
Charlton Supervisor Alan Grattidge gave Ballestero a $2,000 gift from Saratoga County officials. Money will be used for improvements to the fair’s equine program, as Lent was superintendent of its draft horse department.
Also, state Senator James Tedisco, R-Glenville, and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston, presented citations recognizing Lent’s many achievements. Prior to becoming town supervisor, he was county director of emergency services, responsible for installation of a countywide radio system.
Weather permitting, more than 100,000 people are expected to visit the fair, which continues through Sunday.
The forecast calls for heavy rain Wednesday, followed by a chance of showers Thursday. But the weekend outlook is much better with sunny skies predicted both Saturday and Sunday.
“We need the weekend,” said Chuck Curtiss, past fair president and current executive committee member. “That’s when we go from red to black financially.”
More than 500 animals including chickens, geese, rabbits, sheep, goats, horses, dairy and beef cattle are on the grounds. Animals are raised and cared for by local children and teens who enter them in judging contests.
“These kids work hard year round to prepare for this week at the fair,” said Carter Older, a 4-H educator. “It’s their chance to showcase what they’ve done.”
John Mancini came dressed for the fair wearing a cowboy hat, plaid shirt, boots and jeans. The outfit is quite a bit different from the suits he wears as a Ballston Spa attorney.
“I always wanted horses as a kid,” he said, smiling.
A few years ago, Mancini and his wife, Courtney, took their sons, Jack and Spencer, on a beach trail ride at Jekyll Island, Georgia. That’s all it took to spark their interest in a new activity that involves the whole family.
“We took riding lessons, then leased horses and finally bought two registered American paints,” Mancini said. “We’ve really thrown ourselves into it. It’s a wonderful lifestyle.”
Jack and Spencer compete in the fair’s horse shows and belong to the New York State High School Rodeo Association.
Wednesday is senior discount day at the fair as admission is $5 for persons 65 and older. The Wednesday entertainment lineup 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.)
A new initiative, Think Differently, is scheduled Thursday. Activities will be geared toward people with special needs. Several buildings and exhibits will open an hour early, giving people a chance to experience them without large crowds. Also, the midway will open an hour early at 11 a.m. for special needs persons, without distractions of lights, music and other loud noises.
The fair is open from 9 a.m. to midnight daily. The midway and Live Music Pavilion are open from noon to midnight.