COUNTY FAIR SPRINGS TO LIFE ON WEDNESDAY

Fair Manager Angelo Nero took a moment from his hectic Monday to talk with ccSCOOP, saying he is excited by the entertainment this year’s fair brings to the fairgrounds. Part of that excitement was about award-winning country singer Jo Dee Messina, who is perhaps best known for her hits “My Give-a-Damn’s Busted,” “Bring on the Rain,” and “That’s the Way.” Her performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, which are free with the price of admission to the fairgrounds, are part of “WGNA 107.7 Day at the Fair.” This is the first time the Columbia County Fair has partnered with WGNA, the top-rated radio station in Albany.

“We have a lot of good entertainment and to have WGNA on board with us will make the whole day that much bigger,” said Nero. Messina has had nine Number 1 singles and has been honored by the Country Music Association and the Grammy Awards.

Other entertainment includes “Stealing Cinderella” country singer Chuck Wicks, who also performed with his girlfriend, fellow country singer Julianne Hough, on the 2009 Dancing with the Stars TV show. “Stealing Cinderella” was one of the fastest growing releases in country music history. Wicks will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday. That show is free with the price of admission to the fairgrounds on Friday.

In the County Fair’s first ever fair talent show, children and adults vie for prizes and the chance to compete at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. The competition has two categories: the junior division for performers aged 12 and under and a senior division for those 13 and older. In each division, talent can include individual vocal, ensemble vocal, individual instrumental, ensemble instrumental, individual dance, and ensemble dance.

Other attractions at this year’s fair are the Columbia County Bounty Cooking contest and the traditional agricultural and livestock competitions, which offer a chance to see the workings of farms up close and personal. The annual Schoolgirl Queen Contest is 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and the Firefighter’s Parade steps off at noon on Saturday, followed by a monster tractor pull at 4 p.m. Monday’s entertainment features a rodeo from 4 to 9 p.m. The fair will get off to a bang on Wednesday and Thursday evenings with the traditional demolition derby, beginning at 6:30 p.m. each day—an event that packs the grandstand.

Nero said that besides booking top-notch entertainment, the Agricultural Society has spruced up the fairgrounds for this year’s event, creating a new food building just north of the grandstand and adding more picnic tables and benches. “We have tried to make it a relaxing and fun environment,” said Nero.

As the hours ticked away to the 3 p.m. official opening of the fair on Wednesday, dozens of workers—from food sellers and exhibitors to the fair’s sponsor, the Columbia County Agricultural Society—were hard at work at the fairgrounds.

"We do it more out of tradition now, than a need to raise money,” said Chatham American Legion member Rich Fiero, as he finished preparation of the legion's hot dog booth near the grandstand. Elsewhere on the grounds, Fair Manager Angelo and his family were working on a shelf near a pen that will house a dog show, members of the Ghent VFW Auxiliary were readying their food booth, and volunteers from the Greenport Fire Department were hard at work posting signs for their “Hound Dog Heroes” food booth. Nero said the forecast for good weather combined with the headlining entertainment has raised expectations for a good fair. The fair draws upwards of 70,000 attendees each year, and with forecast for pleasant weather, this year might bring a new record.

Admission to the fairgrounds is $10 daily, $12 on Sunday. Children 12 and under are always free. On Thursday, seniors can enter for half price until 4 p.m. and youth under 18 are free until 4 p.m.