Paul Ramsingh
There are some things that are worth waiting a year for, and the annual return of county fair season in one of them.
There are the smells from the cotton candy to the dripping oil and paint from a fierce demolition derby; the sounds of children laughing or screaming on the rides to the carnival barkers asking you to show off your skills.
The taste of the fried dough, midway burger or Italian sausage is all part of the experience.
And there is the sight of harness racing or the magic show which draws youth back day after day to figure out how it was done.
Locally, there are several county fairs which bring these senses to life every year, combining the thrills of the carnival with the chance to learn about local agriculture and more.
Clinton County Fair
The 68th annual Clinton County Fair will take place starting July 19 and running through July 24.
In recent years, the main grandstand show for the fair featured new wave country acts, starting with Hunter Hayes in 2012, right after the song “Wanted,” put him onto the country music scene. Other recent acts included Voice winner Danielle Braderry and runners-up Swon Brothers (2014) along with Maddie and Tae (2015).
Going back to the roots of modern country, like they did with Lorrie Morgan in 2013, Ricky Skaggs will take to the grandstand Thursday, July 21, at 8 p.m.
Other events include tractor and truck pulls, the annual Clinton Country demolition derby, and more. Midway rides will be available each day.
For more information, visit clintoncountyfair.com.
Essex County Fair
The Essex County Fair is one of the oldest running county fairs in both New York state and the nation at-large.
Celebrating its 168th year in 2016, and running from Wednesday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 14, the fair has tagged itself as the “Adirondack Agricultural Fair,” bringing in many local dairy and produce farmers as well as displays and demonstrations from youth groups like the local 4-H and more.
Featured events include the annual harness races on opening day, along with a figure 8 racing contest, youth Power Wheels demolition derby, tractor and truck pulls — including garden tractors — and the annual Egglefield Ford Demolition Derby on the final day of the fair.
For more information, visit essexcountyfair.org.
My fair story
Every year, writing about the county fair is one of my favorite things to do. This year, it takes on new meaning.
You see, I grew up with the fair — the Essex County Fair, to be exact. Every summer, two weeks of my life was devoted to the fair and everything that had to do with it mainly because my father, Lyn, was one of the key cogs along with his friend, Ernie LaPine, who manned the main office.
I would spend every hour I could at the fair, riding the rides, eating as much fried dough as I could and then sneaking Mountain Dew’s out of the cooler in the fair office.
When I grew up, my perspective changed to that of a parent watching the joy his kids had in riding the rides and doing the same things I had done. While my dad was no longer in the fair office, his fingerprints were still over the entire grounds, and you knew he would be there every year.
The funniest part was, the first year he probably never attended the fair as he took a vacation to Alaska to fulfill his bucket list goal of visiting all 50 states, he won the 50-50 jackpot for $5,000. The main thing I remember is how different the fair seemed knowing he was not there.
This year will be the second time I won’t see him at the fair. You see, there was a reason he was accomplishing his bucket list. At that time, he was in the middle rounds of his battle against cancer. On March 2, his battle ended the way too many of them do.
But I’ll be there, trying to enjoy every minute with my family. This article is dedicated to the memory of the man who inspired my love of the fair, my Dad.
— Keith Lobdell
