WALTON – It's a special year for our nation and it is not being overlooked by the organizers of this year's Delaware County Fair, with a military flyover set to kick off Tuesday's Hero Parade at the 139th fair in Walton in honor of America's 250th Anniversary. Also, 250th anniversary commemorative coins will be given out to 500 people entering through the Main Gate each day.
You can twist with Chubby Checker, the man who popularized the 60s dance move, after Tuesday's Hero Parade and Jason Craig, president of the Delaware County Agriculture Society that puts on the fair, invites you to bring a lawn chair and get comfortable or find a seat in the grandstands for the rest of his free show. "Chubby Checker will be circulating in the audience," said Craig. The parade honors fire and law enforcement.
Craig is psyched for this year's fair, running down the list of things that are new. "We are always excited about fair week," he said. "We have a lot of new things this year."
Hot Diggity Dog is a show featuring dog acrobats and hog acrobats, along with a camel ride, that will be on tap daily. You might even see a grown man kiss a pig.
There is also a circus acrobat group performing “incredible” shows throughout the day and adding a hypnotist to the list. He will have his own area where he will entertain with his hypnotics. His son will also be performing as Michael Jackson.
One of the things Craig is most excited about is the fact they will be giving out twice the number of bikes in the bike giveaway on Tuesday, which is Children’s Day. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the drawings will begin at 2 p.m. and continue throughout the afternoon. Craig said they were also given $1,000 by Dreamland Amusements and they will be drawing for $30 cash giveaways throughout the afternoon as well. All you need to do is register. You must also register for the Kids Power Wheel Derby which starts at 11 a.m. in front of the grandstand which is always fun to watch. It's a demo derby for the pint sized, no engines racing, just battery power.
There is increased vendor space this year with the addition of a second commercial tent. "There is a lot more to see," said Craig.
Wednesday features the Jessie Kay Band in the Entertainment Court from 7:30 to 10:30, with Buffalo Barfield and Illusionist David Garrity earlier in the day. At 7 p.m the altered farm tractors and sportsmanship stock farm tractors rev up with the semi-truck pull in front of the grandstand.
Thursday is Senior Citizen Day and will feature the Lumberjack Competition, a new attraction, which is being sponsored by Russell Bass & Sons Logging. It will include all the lumberjack competitions for fairgoers to watch. It is also the Hunter and Pony Division Open Horse Show, the antique tractor pull and open class cattle show and beef show. The midway opens at noon. There is Buffalo Barfield, Music Bingo and the Stoddard Hollow Band in the Entertainment Court along with Singing Oldies with Mary Frances Perricone from 4-6 p.m. The truck pulls are on tap at 7 p.m..
Friday is the Western division horse show and open class cattle show, with FFA judging and Demonstration and open sheep show. Buffalo Barfield and Karaoke will be in the Entertainment Court. The Tom Newman Memorial Horse Pull will be in the show ring and the feature at 7 is the Black Cat Hell Drivers Thrill Show.
Saturday is the Gymkhana open horse show, with Buffalo Barfield, the karaoke finals and Mullet Contest and Smelly Shoes in the Entertainment Court, along with the illusionist and the Matthew Vroman Band. The Demolition Derby final revs up at 7 p.m. in front of the grandstand.
Craig said the Dock Dogs are back, there will be a draft horse ride, the giant sand sculpture is back, along with the Agri Puppets, Che Chee the Clown, Mr. Scribbles, Big Foot and Dan the Snake Man. The list of food vendors is long, with a lot of new ones added. So, it’s likely your favorites will be there.
In between all of that, there is a myriad of products to see, with car dealers, equipment dealers, a gas engine area, produce, artwork and so much more. Whatever day you pick to visit the fair, you will find plenty to do and see. One of the things that is often overlooked is the Cornell Cooperative Extension Human Ecology, which provides tons of information and demonstrations. Here again, there is always something going on.
Craig said the Delaware County Fair is the fourth largest Agricultural fair in the state and by far larger than other area fairs. There are more than 1,400 head of livestock registered for this year's fair.
Perhaps the best thing about the fair is, that no matter what your fancy, it is likely you will find it. It brings the best of the best all together in one spot and showcases all the county has to offer.The annual Delaware County Fair runs Aug. 16-22. More information, a map and the fair schedule is available at: www.delawarecountyfair.org. They also have a Facebook page where you can see what’ s happening.
“We are looking forward to a really good week," said Craig.
