Just For Kids


Calling kids of all ages.
The fun is non-stop from morning ‘til night at the Fair.

AMUSEMENTS OF AMERICA
The fabulous midway full of rides offers daily pay-one-price discounts. From the thrill of the Zipper and the fun of the Dragon to those classics – a big Ferris Wheel and a Merry-Go-Round – there are rides for all tastes.
     Youth Day on Thursday, September 3 is chock full of special entertainment. Just check out the line-up below. And remember, today only admission is free for everyone under 18 years old until 4 p.m., with $15 ride passes from noon ‘til closing. Children 12 and under are admitted free every day.
     Plus there’s lots of cool, ongoing activities and special events throughout all six days at the Fair. See ya there!

TWO BY TWO ZOO
Daily (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. A family of ring-tailed lemurs tumbles over each other as they create a mesmerizing ball of striped fur. A giant tortoise shows his ability to walk great distances (over 5 miles a day in nature) and a black Asian leopard lazes lackadaisically in a tree branch. Owners Heather and Peter Iannucci carry on a never-ending conversation with Fairgoers telling young and old alike about the habitats for their menagerie. And if a young person hangs around just long enough, the opportunity to hold a baby kangaroo will probably present itself. How great is that? Sponsored by Valley Oil Co. & Dan Crellin Self-Storage  

COLUMBIA 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.

Forms, available on-line until August 4th, gave us clues on just what a great bunch of people we have here in the County. Now's your chance to see stars in the making. We may be the first to showcase another Susan Boyle, Kris Allen, or Adam Lambert (before the makeover). Winners can choose to go on to compete in the State Fair finals, so come and watch their debut here - before you have to pay scalper prices! Sponsored by Old Ghent Realty  

HOT DOG EATING CONTEST
Thursday, 12 noon (NorthGate Stage)
Bring your appetite and belly up to the most filling contest ever! Chow down as many dogs as you can and you may be declared the hottest chomping champ around! Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank  

WATERMELON EATING CONTEST
Thursday, 1:00 pm (NorthGate Stage)
The one and only eating contest that's good for your diet. How fast can you eat a slice of melon with your hands behind your back? If you're the fastest in your heat, you will earn a spot in the finals, duking it out for the grand title. Maybe you'll be top seed. Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank  

KJ GYMNASTICS
Thursday, 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm (Midfield Arena)
Watch the KJ Gymnastics team demonstrate its agility. Featuring girls and boys between the ages of seven and fifteen, KJ's young athletes whirl, twirl, flip, and tumble their way through an assortment of choreographed performances to hip songs. The team dazzles with rhythmic ribbons, hula hoops, stability balls, and scarves.  

THE MAGIC TRUNK
Friday & Sunday 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00 pm (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? Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank  

JOEY D MAGIC SHOW
Saturday, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm (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. It's a chance to stand really, really close and STILL not see how those tricks are done. Performing since 1994, Joey D's sleight of hand will cause your jaw to drop -- not matter how old you are. This is a show for all ages. You won't believe what you think you thought you saw! Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital and Kinderhook Bank  

OPEN HORSE SHOW
Monday, 9 am to 3 pm (Horse Ring)
Calling all equestrians -- get ready to ride tall during the Open Horse Show on Monday! Riders of both English and Western disciplines, juniors (age 18 and under) and adults are invited to participate in more than three dozen classes in this popular event, held at the horse show ring at the south end of the fairgrounds. Geared for fun and skill, the classes give riders of all levels the opportunity to participate -- from youngsters riding a horse led by an adult to advanced riders. Jog and lope for Western classes are matched by trot and cantor for English classes, plus all will enjoy the sheer merriment of The Egg and Spoon contest and the "Sit a Buck." See Premium Book for details. Horse Show entry form required. Sponsored by Cedar Flow, C&K Tack Shop and Country Tack & Supply  

COOKING CONTEST
Monday, 3 pm (NorthGate Stage)
This year's Bounty Cooking Contest offers a category for young cooks age 12 and under and will award a $500 top prize. The only criterion is that most of the ingredients must have been grown locally. Dishes will be judged by professional chefs on presentation, originality and taste in one of three categories: entrée, dessert, side dish. And the audience gets to taste the results at the conclusion. See Premium Book for details. Cooking Contest entry form required. Sponsored by Ginsberg's  

LIVESTOCK EXHIBITS
Daily (Show Ring)
The fair barns, stalls and Poultry Building welcome visitors to come see, touch and talk about all the many animals. You won't want to miss The Blue Ribbon Livestock events at the show ring daily, where it's a continuing parade of magnificent creatures and their proud owners. There's also an activity station where you can learn how to milk a cow! See Premium Book for details. Livestock entry form required.  

RACING PIGS & HOT DOGS
Five shows daily (across from the Cattle Barn)
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. One Fairgoer was right when he called it "good clean fun". And that's just the pigs! There's more. The hot dog races (dachshunds to you and me) pit a few furry canines in a speed test around the obstacle course. A kick to watch with a great MC to keep you laughing. Sponsored by FairPoint Communications & Hannaford  

SCHOOLWORK EXHIBIT
Daily (School House)
You'll be amazed and delighted at the creativity of our young local artists. From pre-school through high school, these talented youngsters display their work at the annual School Art Exhibit. Sponsored by Columbia-Greene Community College  

DOG 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!  

For more Fair fun, download these printable activity sheets. Post your artwork to your refrigerator as a reminder so you don’t miss this year’s spectacular fair!
Find the Hidden Words
Connect-the-Dots Billie Goat
Color in the Fair