Directors and exhibitors were busy Friday, July 25, getting the Otsego County Fairgrounds ready for the fair’s opening day Tuesday, July 29.
In the 4-H Dairy Barn, Davin and Denyse Ruffles, of Garrattsville, were busy putting up boards to separate the seven dairy cows they were bringing to the fair for their children, Allee, Emma and Davin “Moose” Ruffles, to show.
Allee, Emma and Moose helped their parents, and said they were looking forward to next week’s fair. Allee said the fair is a “fun activity to do during the summer and I get to see my friends. We get to show our favorite animals.”
Getting an animal ready to show at the fair takes “a lot of work,” Allee said. She walks and bathes her cow every day and clips the hair to make it show worthy.
Davin Ruffles said bringing animals to the fair is important because it shows people where their food comes from. In addition to raising dairy cows, the farm raises beef cows, he said. He encouraged fairgoers to ask people exhibiting animals questions.
“We’re young farmers, and we’re still learning, so we may not know all the answers, but we’ll tell you what we know,” he said.
Fair manager Lisa Jackson said the fair board completed several projects during the off-season to make the fair better for everyone who attends. The board spent $150,000 to replace the water lines, spent $30,000 to convert one of the horse barns into a sheep barn, upgraded fencing and painted the box office bright blue so it’s easy to find.
The walkways were supposed to be paved in time for the fair, but the company was backlogged because of the rainy weather, she said. They will be paved after the fair.
Jackson outlined this year’s highlights. Tuesday is $1 admission and a meet-the-directors event in the evening. The midway rides by Gillette Shows will open at 2 p.m. Wednesday. There will be pay-one-price wristbands for $25 for the rides Wednesday through Sunday. Wednesday evening is the firefighters parade followed by fireworks.
Painted Pony Rodeo will provide Thursday evening’s entertainment, she said. Friday is the New York Tractor Pullers Association event. Saturday night is the Otsego County truck and altered tractor pulls, and there are two demolition derbies Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“If you haven’t been here in 10 years, you should come,” Jackson said. “It’s a whole new fair.”
The fair will have new food vendors and several new merchandise vendors, she said. The Dairy Bar will return this year with free white or chocolate milk and yogurt given out at certain times of the day. In the winter, the building turns into the hot chocolate bar during the fair’s holiday of lights events.
During the week, there will be a K-9 show, Gizmo D Robot and Che Che the Clown. The entertainment tent will have the annual karaoke contest on Wednesday and Saturday; live music and Buffalo Barfield & Un-herd of Entertainment performances.
The Grange building will have contests and live entertainment throughout the week, she said.
According to a news release, the Grange Building will showcase a variety of attractions including Randy’s Harp Tones Harmonica Band at 1 p.m. and Limitless Performing Arts Dancers following the parade Wednesday. Thursday at 1:30 p.m. is Sweet Adelines City of the Hills Chorus and 5 p.m. Otsego School of Dance and Performing Arts. Friday at 1 p.m. Judy Pitel and 4 p.m. Mary Frances Perricone. New on Saturday will be a Baby Crawl/ Walk contests starting at noon.
Special days for fairgoers are Wednesday and Saturday veterans and active duty free with ID, Friday senior’s day with half price admission.
For a complete schedule of events, visit https://www.otsegocountyfair.org.