What to know about the Columbia County Fair

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- With roots dating back to 1841, the Columbia County fair has been offering fairgoers a large variety of things to do and see. Beginning Aug. 28 until Sept. 2, here's what you need to know before you go.

Admission

Admission to the fair, excluding Wednesday is $15 while children 12 and under are free. On Wednesday, those 19 and over, tickets to the fair are $5 while ages 10 and under are free due to a special "Youth Day." Each day at the fair, active military with an identification card or in uniform are free.

Parking and grandstand entertainment are both free. Carnival ride tickets and special ride wristbands are separate and can be purchased at the Magic Money ride ticket machines inside the fair.

Tickets to the fair can be purchased at the entrance gates upon arrival. Each gate will accept cash, credit and debit cards but ATMs are available at various gates if needed.

Entertainment

Local and nationally recognized acts are set to perform each day throughout the fairgrounds. In six different performing locations, free concerts, shows and demonstrations will occur at different hours.

• Jack the DJ
• Agriculture exhibits and animal shows
• Petting Zoo
• Live Kangaroos
• Circus Incredible
• Racing Pigs
• Columbia County's Got Talent competitions
• Watermelon Eating Competition
• Ice Cream Eating Contest
• School Queen Contest

Grandstand Lineup

• Demolition Derby on Thursday, Aug. 29 and Friday, Aug. 30
• Monster Tractor Pull on Saturday, Aug. 31
• Sammy Kershaw on Sunday, Sept. 1
• Painted Pony Show on Monday, Sept. 2

A sensory safe space will also be available for guests from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Thursday from noon to 4 p.m., the fair will be designated as a sensory safe fair as all red lights, sounds and music will be turned off for fairgoers.

You can view the full event schedule on the Columbia County Fair website. The fair will be open on Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m. and on Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.