STARTING WITH AN END
Conclusion of 178th Saratoga County Fair the beginning of summer fair season
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. >> As the 178th annual Saratoga County Fair packs up after six full days of festivities, the Capital Region still has plenty of fair fun left ahead.
Though attendance numbers are still being finalized after a busy weekend crowd, a week of good weather has organizers estimating that the 2019 Saratoga County Fair may be the most wellattended in the local event’s nearly two-century long history. “I feel that we’re probably looking at our best year,” fair director Kevin Veitch said on Sunday about attendance, crediting good weather, new attractions and operating during the same time as the Saratoga Race Course meet as contributing factors.
Visitors from both near and far enjoyed the fair’s exhibits, activities and entertainment throughout the week, including first time attendees Anne-Marie Mueschke and Aaron Stoquert.
After more than a decade
living in New York City, the couple moved to Ballston Spa last fall, and were excited to see what the nearby Saratoga County Fair is all about.
After watching the demotion derby on Thursday, Mueschke and Stoquert went to the fair again on Saturday.
“I loved seeing the local farms’ dairy cows up close,” Mueschke said. “It was also my first demolition derby and it was a lot of fun. Like a really smelly, smoky bumper cars for adults.”
She continued, “I was surprised to see the mix of history, crafts, and natural science with the traditional carnival games. There’s a real sense of community pride which made me very happy.”
Stoquert liked the Conservation Village and the fried dough, he said. “Also the demolition derby was awesome, there’s something so American about it that makes the red, white and blue in me wag its tail.”
With this fun fair-going experience under their belts, the Ballston Spa residents are certain they’ll return for future Saratoga County Fairs.
Next year’s 179th annual fair, for which planning is already underway, is scheduled for July 21 to 26, 2020. In booking acts for this upcoming fair,
“We’re looking for the wow factors,” Veitch said.
For many, the 2019 summer fair season has just begun.
The Capital Region’s Altamont Fair, Columbia County Fair, Fonda Fair, Schaghticoke Fair and Washington County Fair are all still yet to come, as well as the New York State Fair in Syracuse, where top local competitors and exhibitors will gather at the end of the summer.
Another late summer fair, the Schaghticoke Fair in Rensselaer County, will mark its 200th anniversary this year. It will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, Labor Day 2019, featuring entertainment including country star Trace Adkins, a Michael Jackson tribute straight from Las Vegas, local favorites Skeeter Creek and a special parade.
“We are looking forward to showcasing the history and development of agriculture and our fairgrounds over the last 200 years,” fair manager Carly Reyna said. “And, of course, doing some celebrating!”