KNOWLESVILLE — Sixty-two years of agricultural tradition will continue with the Orleans County 4-H Fair July 21 to the 26.
The fairgrounds along Route 31 will transform into a wonderland of food, rides, exhibits and live entertainment. Over 30,000 people are expected to partake.
For 4-H students with the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, the weeklong event is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work, Director Deb Roberts said.
“It’s the one thing that really brings Orleans County together,” she said. “In a sense, it brings everybody back to their roots.”
New additions this year include a new meat goat area and show, a scorpion eating contest and a visit from Animal Planet’s Mike Carra.
Learn about the 300 year-old sport known as falconry with daily shows by Sky Hunters Birds of Prey, participate in a talent show or catch one of several animal shows featuring horses, goats, sheep, llamas, cats and dogs.
Music will be provided by Buffalo’s Disco Duck, The 90 West Band, Al Howe and WBSU 89.1 The Point.
Thursday’s chicken barbecue is not-to-miss, Roberts said. It is an annual event that dates back at least 40 years in the ag community. Joan and Orren Roberts will again use their one-of-a-kind recipe.
Other favorites are always fried dough, sweet potato fries, lemonade and taffy, Roberts said. Leaders’ pie stand will open at noon each day.
There will also be bake sale and an assortment of meals hot off the grill.
“People have great memories of the food, no question,” she said.
Once the belly is full, the fair offers an array of contests — grease pole, pie eating, dairy cow bingo, 4-H Deal or No Deal and Youth Ag Olympics. Prizes will also be awarded for field crop judging, stick horse races, and 4-H projects such as sewing, woodworking and photography.
An agricultural slideshow made by 4-H youth will be available for viewing throughout the fair thanks to a $1,500 grant through the NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs. The brief video will play on one of six digital frames encased in wood donated by Paul McCracken of McCracken Contracting.
Additional entertainment includes a full fireworks display, family game shows by The Amazing Improv Dads, Master Magician Brian Baskins, M&T; Bank’s $1,000 Karaoke Challenge and tractor pulls.
Youth can take a break from all of the excitement at story hour in the Trolley building reading corner.
The scorpion eating contest will raise money for 4-H youth activities, said Summer Assistant Joe McCracken. Vote for Deb Roberts, Margo Bowerman, Guin Smith or Robert Batt to eat one of the prepared delicacies.
A final awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. July 26.
Paid admission begins at 4 p.m. July 21. Daily building hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Midway tickets for the rides are $18, per car daily admission is $5 and weeklong admission is $15. Opening day admission is $1.
Special pre-sale deals at the Extension office are available.
For more information visit www.orleans4-hfair.com.
Local News
ORLEANS COUNTY FAIR: Open the gate in 2008
- Local News
-
-
Hospice residence construction continues
The construction of the new Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence, which is now well under way just behind the Hospice of Orleans office building on Route 31 in Albion, will allow Hospice to provide care and assistance for those patients and their families.
-
Library construction, fundraising hit milestones
The project to build a new library in Albion is seeing a lot of green — both in the foam insulation that is being added at the South Main Street construction site and in Swan Library’s fundraising effort.
-
Albion plans for summer
Village officials heard details about this summer’s Albion Strawberry Festival and another big event that could bring visitors back to the village later in the summer — if concerns about street usage are cleared up — during Wednesday’s board meeting.
-
Theater impact grant formally announced
The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, has awarded the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor a 2012 Impact Grant to support the launch of the Theatre on Main Street project in Albion in collaboration with the Albion Main Street Alliance and the Western Erie Canal Alliance.
-
Inter-county collaboration
The Orleans County Legislature finalized a formal alliance with their Niagara County counterparts Wed-nesday, a move leaders from both counties said will lead to reduced costs and increased services.
-
County management salary increases discussed
County Legislators will vote later this month on a local law that affects the 2012 salaries and benefits of nine county officials, with a net impact of adding $4,723 in payments.
-
Drug court graduates four
Four participants in the Orleans County Drug Court received cheers Monday for completing the intensive, three-stage program.
-
Albion CSD budget coming to view
The Albion Central School District’s 2012-13 budget is coming into clearer view, and school officials say the picture is better than at this point last year.
-
Medina student is Sabres Jr. Reporter
The Buffalo Sabres have faced many difficult questions during what has so far been a disappointing season, but it was all smiles when Oak Orchard Elementary School student Melanie Hibbard came to First Niagara Center to watch practice and interview players for a feature that will air later this month.
-
Group aims to honor Laughlin
The Medina Mustangs could play their next football game on a field named for longtime coach John “Pinky” Loughlin if the Medina School Board approves a proposal made Tuesday by the Parents Athletic Club.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
