The electric bill for 6 days is $10,000. Seventy-five engraved trophies are awarded. The trash fills a new dumpster every day. And Pepsi distributes 520 cases of water to food vendors. That’s just the beginning of what goes into the Columbia County Fair.
On Wednesday, August 31, the Fair opens its gates for the 171st year. Around 60,000 ticket holders will marvel at the new acts, grab seats for the headliners and chow down in the Food Court. But few will stop to think about the work that went in to producing this annual event.
“As soon as the last Fair closes,” said Fair manager Angelo Nero, “we sit down and take a look at all the events we’ve showcased with a critical eye. We discuss how we could make things better, which acts need a different venue and which might not be asked back.” And so the work begins.
The bare bones of each year’s Fair get solidified in January when 5 or 6 of the 18 Directors head off to the New York State Fair Convention in Rochester. During those three days, major headliners are signed and specialty acts like Racing Pigs and the Two-by-Two Zoo are contracted for. And, of course, nobody leaves until Amusements of America, the vendor responsible for all the rides, has signed on the dotted line. By the time the convention is over, the majority of more than 100 acts have been confirmed for the next Fair.
Other activities go on during the winter months, too. Few people notice the trailer park where the ride and midway workers spend their nights. But the Board of Directors knows it well. This year, they have spent almost $30,000 refurbishing the water and sewer lines there. Another makeover took place in the food court. Said Nero, “Over a ten year period, we’ve repaired and renovated each of the buildings. This year, we finished the last one.” There is already a plan for next year to spruce up the Poultry building – one of the larger structures on the grounds.
“The Superintendents in all our departments, including livestock, do a terrific job,” said Nero. “They start checking out revisions to the rules for exhibitions in February or March.” Once they’ve determined if there are any significant changes, they each decide which breeds will be shown. From common varieties to ancient and rare species, the livestock exhibited is an education by itself. “We’ve had the oldest breed of sheep in the world in competition here,” added Nero, “and our poultry Superintendent always includes rare birds among those on display.”
Whether livestock, arts and crafts, ice cream eating, talent, cooking or flower arranging, each competition must have rules and regulations posted in the Fair Premium Book. That’s in the works beginning in February. So are early press releases, media marketing and lots and lots of discussions about billboards, print advertising and signage for the Fairgrounds itself.
Security must be put in place, too. The New York State Police are the lead agency at the Fair and are assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. Members of the Chatham Police are hired to direct traffic, and emergency services are on the grounds 24/7. The Chatham Fire Department not only has a booth but also exhibits a safety house to teach children how to get out of a burning building. “They all do something to educate the public,” Nero said.
As the opening day for this year’s Fair gets closer, Fair officials have meetings with the part time staff – a dependable group who return year after year to work from dawn until dusk making the Fair enjoyable. There are 30 people who just take care of the trash and another 35 to either sell tickets or collect them.
Most important are the sponsors. The non-profit Fair has lots of expenses and, without grants and generous corporations, this Labor Day tradition would have vanished. “It’s a pretty extensive program,” said Nero, “right now we have about 30 corporate sponsors, but we’re always eager for more.” Levels run from $500 to $10,000. Businesses can show their banner behind an individual event or, with higher participation, be included in all the advertising, in Fair programs, on the website and in the Premium book. “We try to give them as much exposure as we can because they help the Fair,” said Nero.
And help is the key word. The manager said he is always amazed at what a big organization it takes to put on the Fair. “If it weren’t for all these hundreds of people in the background, it wouldn’t work. They don’t get near the recognition they deserve,” he said. “I love working here, but, mostly, I think we’re all proud of what we accomplish.” No doubt Fair promoters have been feeling that way for 170 years.
For complete information about this year’s Columbia County Fair, go to www.columbiafair.com.
Sponsors this year include: Ginsberg’s Foods, Inc., A. Colarusso & Son, Inc., Hudson River Bank & Trust Co. Foundation, 98.5 The Cat & Cruisin’ 93.5, 107.7 WGNA, Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson River Tractor Co., Madsen Overhead Doors, Register Star/Chatham Courier, Stewart’s Shops, Columbia Memorial Hospital, First Niagara Bank, W. B. Golf Carts, Agway of Chatham-Claverack-Millerton-Gt. Barrington, The Bank of Greene County Foundation, Cedar Flow Contracting, Columbia Hudson Partnership, Crossroad’s Ford, Custom Overhead Doors, Herrington Fuels, Inc., Kinderhook Bank, Mario’s True Value Home Center, Metz Wood Harder Insurance, Mulhern Gas Co., Pepsi Bottling Group of Albany, S. T. Hudson Plumbing, Tobacco Free Action, Valley Oil Inc., Carolina-Eastern Vail, Inc., COARC, Columbia County Sportsman Federation, Empire Livestock Marketing, The Lofgren Agency, Inc., Bovat Photo Art, Hannaford Supermarkets, Price Chopper and Dell’s Plumbing, Heating & AC.