Dressed up in red, white, and blue, the Columbia County Fair will not only be celebrating the country’s 250th birthday this year, but also marks its own 185th anniversary with some special features and events. The celebration begins opening day with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00PM. All week Fairgoers can compete for prizes in the special-edition Bingo game – a new contest every day! Keep your eyes peeled for Uncle Sam Stiltwalker and snap a selfie at one of the patriotic backdrops. Even George Washington will be making a special appearance!

Flying proudly over the Fairgrounds with Old Glory is a very special flag. Last fall, Fair Manager Eric Barnes received word from a patriotic gentleman who was sending a 250th Anniversary flag as a gift to the Fair. He said he had purchased a supply of them to honor people, places, and experiences that had a lasting effect throughout his life. In his message, he told about the sixty-three years he and his family had attended, the value of participating as a 4-H kid, how proud he had been to march in the Firefighters Parade, and what it felt like to give back by parking cars as an Elk and selling raffle tickets for worthy causes. He expressed his love and appreciation for the lessons learned, people he met, and wonderful memories he is left with all the years afterward. While he wished to remain anonymous, this thoughtful man’s gift represents the love that countless others has for a community event that has marked summer’s end for 185 years now. The Board of Directors of the Columbia County Agricultural Society would like to publicly thank this man for his kind generosity.

The 185th Columbia County Fair is located off Route 66 in Chatham, New York.  Opening day is Wednesday, September 2, at noon. The Fair – “always runs over Labor Day”, and concludes on Monday, September 7. General Admission is $15 and includes parking and all entertainment.  Daily hours are Wednesday: noon to closing, Thursday – Monday: 10AM – closing.  Seniors Day and Youth Day is Wednesday with special pricing at $5.00 for ALL patrons.  Youth under 19 and active military with ID or in uniform are admitted free that day. Children 12 and under are always free.

Advance tickets are $13 per single day admission and are available online and at the Fair Administration Office until September 1. Advance tickets will also be available for purchase July 1- September 1 at all Bank of Greene County branch offices. There are no advance tickets for Wednesday, September 2.

Special pre-sale one-day unlimited noon to closing Ride Passes are available at $25 per day, a savings of $5 when purchased online. Regular one-day noon to closing Ride Passes are available on the grounds during the Fair at the Magic Money ride ticket machines near the Ferris Wheel. Cost is $30 per day.

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