Published: July 14, 2008 12:47 pm         

ORLEANS COUNTY FAIR: Open the gate in 2008

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.