Entertainment

Jo Dee MessinaJO DEE MESSINA
Sunday, September 6 • 3 pm and 8 pm
Sponsored by Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation 
(Hudson River Bank & Trust Main Stage)

Originally from Framingham, MA, Jo Dee moved to Nashville when she was 19 to try and make it in country. She succeeded. She's had more #1 singles on the country music charts from a single album (I'm Alright) than any other singer. She's toured with George Strait and Vince Gill and recorded duets with Tim McGraw. One even made it to the top of the charts, "Bring on the Rain."  Read more...

Chuck WicksCHUCK WICKS
Friday, September 4 • 8 pm
Sponsored by First Niagara 
(Hudson River Bank & Trust Main Stage)

Not many country stars are as well known for their footwork as their fretwork. And even though Wick's debut album Starting Now has gotten rave reviews, his turns on "Dancing with the Stars" with girlfriend Julianne Hough have brought him just as much fame. To achieve that kind of popularity took lots and lots of practice.  Read more...

Racing Pigs & Hot DogsRacing Pigs & Hot Dogs
Daily 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 pm
Sponsored by FairPoint Communications & Hannaford 
(by Cattle Barn Area)

One of our all time favorites, the crowds just keep coming whenever the Racing Pigs are in town. Not only do these porkers compete to cross the finish line first, but they do a bit of high diving as well.   Read more...

Two by Two ZooTWO BY TWO ZOO
Daily 4, 5:30 & 7:30 pm
Sponsored by Valley Oil Co. & Dan Crellin Self-Storage 
(Midway near Main Entrance)

The Two-by-Two Zoo is an exercise in "edutainment". Run by a couple who have rescued exotic animals from less than desirable living conditions (think alligators in bathtubs), the Zoo now shows these animals in settings close to those of their natural environment.  Read more...

Columbia County's Got TalentColumbia County's Got Talent
Wednesday -- Junior Division Competition -- 4pm
Thursday -- Senior Division Competition -- 4pm
Thursday -- Finals of both Divisions -- 8pm  
(Northgate Stage)

Here it is! Our very own Columbia County talent show. Not just all singing or all dancing. There's more - much more. Participants can show us their stuff in any facet of vocal, instrumental or dance. Like rap? Show tunes? Ballroom dancing? How about the banjo or accordion? In this competition, the sky's the limit! The event is new this year and chock full of adults and kids who can't wait to get up there on that stage and compete.   Read more...

Demolition DerbyDEMOLITION DERBIES - 1 & 2
Wednesday, 6:30pm -- Sponsored by Register Star/Chatham Courier
Thursday, 6:30 pm -- Sponsored by Madsen Overhead Doors & W&B Carts  
(HRBT Main Stage)

Opening night isn't dubbed Motor Madness for nothing. The ever-popular Demolition Derby roars into action. The crowd will cheer their favorite driver in one of three heats -- four, six and eight cylinder -- until only one car is still moving.  

Dog AgilityDog Agility
Thursday 2:30 & 4:30 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm 
(Midfield Arena)

Dog Agility is a fast growing sport run on what looks like an oversized playground for dogs. An agility course combines jumps inspired by horse shows with obstacles derived from traditional working dog training. And right out of the schoolyard, there's even a teeter-totter! Each dog and handler team is timed as they run the agility course in a set pattern (every time the team runs, the course is different), the handler guiding and the dog jumping and negotiating the obstacles and both having a great time!  Read more...

Main Street BandThe Main Street Band
Thursday, 5:00 & 7:00 pm
Sponsored by Herrington Fuel 
(Upper Food Tent)

These six guys make it a point to play tunes that the audience can dance to. And chances are, you'll know the words, too.  Read more...

Barber Shop QuartetThe Pittsfield Four -- Barber Shop Quartet
Beginning Thursday at 7pm 
Strolling around the Fairgrounds

Four-part harmonies will ring in the air when these local "a capella fellas" begin their stroll around the Fairgrounds.  Read more...

Antique Tractor PullANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL
Friday, 9:00 am - 3pm
Sponsored by Custom Overhead Doors 
(Hudson River Bank & Trust Main Stage)

Those old tractors that have seen many hours of field work are now competitors. Check out the early workhorses of Columbia County farms and see how much power they still have. Watch our local farmers show their stuff as these antiques strain and pull -- even if they're not the greenest vehicles in the corn patch?  

Hill Country CloggersHILL COUNTRY CLOGGERS
Friday, 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate Stage)

Get ready for a high-energy, toe-tapping show when the Hill Country Cloggers put on their dancing shoes and start twirling those skirts. Come see why they are such a crowd favorite.  

Magic TrunkTHE MAGIC TRUNK
Friday, 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00 pm | Sunday, 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate Stage)

Ventriloquist Sylvia Markson brings her cast of wise-cracking puppets to life on the NorthGate Stage in The Magic Trunk Show. Kids can meet Chito, a hilarious, hip Latino opossum, and fall in love with Francesca, a singing Las Vegas show bird. Faces will light up when the kids see puppet dinosaurs and genies. The performer is funny and clever. And, besides, how often do kids (of all ages) get to see a live ventriloquist?  

Piston PoppersPISTON POPPERS/EARLY BIRDS CAR DISPLAYS
Friday, 3:00 pm 
(Midfield Arena)

You'll want to check out these beauties -- T-Birds and other classic cars in mint, driving condition.  

Brave BrabantsBrave Brabants Equestrian Show
Friday, 4:30 pm (HRBT Main stage) • Saturday, 3:00 pm (Midfield Arena) • Sunday, 1:00 pm (HRBT Main stage) • Monday, 1:00 pm (Midfield Arena)  

For those who may not know, Brabants are a type of Belgian draft horse. They are BIG, really BIG. And beautiful. Rider J. D. Winslow uses his equestrian charges to demonstrate skills demanded of horsemen going back as far as Roman times.  Read more...

Michael Thomas BandMichael Thomas Band
Friday, 6:00 & 9:00 pm
Sponsored by Herrington Fuel 
(Upper Food Tent)

This band is a duo comprised of Michael McAllister and Tom Metallo. Performing together for almost 40 years, the two play country, traditional rock like The Beatles and Southern rock from groups like The Outlaws.  Read more...

Schoolgirl Queen ContestSCHOOLGIRL QUEEN CONTEST
Friday, 6:30 pm
Sponsored by First Niagara 
(HRBT Main Stage)

Six accomplished young women -- one from each public school in the county -- vie for the crown in the annual Schoolgirl Queen Contest. Dressed in gowns and delivered in chauffeured convertibles, the girls have already been interviewed by a tough three-judge panel. The contest celebrates its 72nd year on Friday night.  

FirefightersFIREFIGHTERS' PARADE
Saturday, 12 Noon
Sponsored by A. Colarusso & Son 

Dozens of spiffy, shiny fire trucks are accompanied by the volunteers who respond to the calls, all decked out in their starched, pressed uniforms. More than three dozen parading fire companies, auxiliaries and rousing marching bands all compete for trophy honors in this hour-long parade sure to please. Sit comfortably in the grandstands or stand along the parade route, but don't miss it!  

Joey DThe Joey D Magic Show
Saturday, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate Stage)

Comedy, magic and audience participation. Watch comedy magician Joseph DiDonna pull objects out of thin air, make ropes do unbelievable things, and change the color of a cane. This is magic at its best -- live.  Read more...

WhiteWater BandWhite Water Band
Saturday, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sponsored by Herrington Fuel 
(Upper Food Tent)

Question: What do Carlos Santana and the Columbia County Fair have in common? Answer: They both like the music of The White Water Band.  Read more...

Monster Tractor PullMONSTER TRACTOR PULL
Saturday, 4:00 pm
Sponsored by Hudson River Tractor Co. 
(HRBT Main Stage)

These are not your quaint farm tractors! Come watch these smokin' belchin' behemoths pull thousands of pounds down the track. "Monster" is too tame a word. The event will likely determine the 2009 state champion.  

Ernie WilliamsERNIE WILLIAMS
Saturday, 5:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate Stage)

Blues singer Ernie Williams has played to some of the best houses in the country including Buddy Guy's in Chicago and The House of Blues in Boston.  Read more...

DavidHypnotist David Feimster
Sunday, 12 noon & 2 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate Stage)

Do you believe in hypnotism? Then come and watch David Feimster practice what he learned at the knees of some of the best trance-givers in the business.   Read more...

Wild Goose ChaseWILD GOOSE CHASE
Sunday 1:00 pm 
(Midfield Arena)

Using geese in place of the more common sheep and cattle, these Border Collies will amaze you with their ability to keep herds moving in the right direction.  Read more...

Ghent BandGhent Band Concerts
Monday, 11:00 am & 5:00 pm
Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank 
(NorthGate stage)

Always a crowd-pleaser, the Ghent Band is back in full pomp and glory for two rousing performances. Known for their crisp brass sound, the popular 106-year-old community band lifts the spirit with traditional patriotic marches, classic waltzes, and melodic overtures.   

Jeff Martell BandJeff Martell Band
Monday, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sponsored by Herrington Fuel 
(Upper Food Tent)

This acoustic expert describes his act as "lots o' " Dead. Lots o' Dylan." How much more popular can you get? Martel, singer, guitar and harmonica player, says he's "definitely not a quiet folky".  Read more...

Cooking ContestCooking Contest Finals and Tasting
Monday, 3:00 pm
Sponsored by Ginsberg's 
(NorthGate Stage)

Take one part aspiring cook, add five parts professional chef/judge, mix in some lip-smacking and some Columbia County Bounty ingredients and you get the results of our annual cooking contest.   Read more...

RodeoPainted Pony Rodeo
Monday, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Intermission
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 
(HRBT Main stage)

Bigger and better than last year, this nationally-sanctioned show teams some of the region's top riders with the roughest, toughest, meanest rides on the circuit.   Read more...