2021 county fair dates announced
Organizers hope for more safety guidance from N.Y.
Most county fairs in the Capital Region have announced their opening dates for late summer and fall 2021 after missing their seasons last year due to the pandemic.
But organizers say they are still awaiting guidance from the state about how to operate their attractions — from blooming onion stands to midway rides to livestock exhibits — which typically draw tens of thousands of people during multiple day events.
The Washington County Fair says it will run Aug. 23 to 29. But the news came with a caveat.
“Today, along with over 50 county fairs across New York, we are still waiting for the official guidance from Albany to move forward with our reopening plans,” Rebecca Breese, co-manager of the Washington County Fair, said Thursday in an email. “We are hopeful to learn more soon as many of our fellow fairs are less than 70 days from their opening day.”
The Altamont Fair in Albany County, which is scheduled for Aug. 17-22, said Wednesday on Facebook: “While we are still waiting to find out what this summer is going to bring, we are hopeful that we will come back stronger than ever!”
The Saratoga County Fair and Schaghticoke Fair in Rensselaer County have also scheduled dates, July 22-25 and Sept. 1-6 respectively.
Western New York state Sen. George Borrello sent a letter to state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker May 5 asking for guidance — particularly since the state announced April 26 how it is running its own New York State Fair for two weeks in late August and early September.
The State Fair plan is to open the event at 50 percent capacity, with the fair broken up into four distinct sections: food and beverage, rides, concerts and agricultural exhibits. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last month the 50 percent number could change, if COVID -19 infection numbers continue to trend downward.
Cuomo had previously announced that this month the state will completely lift capacity limits on many businesses, including bars and restaurants, hair salons, gyms, offices, retail stores, museums, entertainment centers, theaters and others. Amusement parks are requiring reservations for tickets to reduce capacity, and seated sports events are making vaccinated and unvaccinated sections. Fair officials across the state, however, are asking for guidance about how to run their operations — particularly since they are only open for a matter of days.
Borrello sent the letter after the Chautauqua County Fair was canceled for the second year in a row. He said the fair boosts the farming industry in the largely rural county, and generates almost $8 million in sales.
“It’s unconscionable and completely unfair that Albany has made sure the New York State Fair, which Governor Cuomo attends every year, will be able to have a season this summer while our county fairs are being neglected,” wrote Borrello, whose district encompasses Jamestown, Fredonia and Olean.
“Not knowing what the regulations will be, county and fair officials were unable to plan for the event and were forced to cancel. It’s heartbreaking that our young farmers and ranchers from Chautauqua County and surrounding communities won’t have a chance to compete and exhibit at the fair.”