The excitement returns when the 2022 Columbia County Fair opens Wednesday, August 31st at noon. It’s time to start making a list of what you’ll do to make this your best Fair ever!
If you prefer to plan your visit by the day, you could start with The Talent Show and Antique Tractor Pull, which have become an opening day tradition on Wednesday. Thursday is the first of two nights of Demolition Derby and the 2022 School Queen will be crowned on Friday. You’ll want to pack as much into your weekend as you can: the Firefighters Parade and Monster Truck Pull Saturday, Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augieri and The Association hit the Grandstand Stage on Sunday, and Painted Pony Rodeo rounds out Monday.
There will be plenty of diverse musical acts to entertain all ages throughout the week: Acoustic Rye, Allen and Azzaam JazzBand, Jarrod, Beer Stained Fiddle, the Joe Adee Band, and October Rose. In between, DJ Jack Bogarski and Electric Blue DJ Bob Hawley will be spinning tunes. Check the Fair schedule for days and times.
New to the Fair this year is Circus Incredible, a family of European acrobats and aerialists who will thrill and astonish with their daring feats of skill from high over the Fairgrounds.
North Gate Stage offerings include hypnotist Terranceb, comedy juggler Michael Goudeau, and Pogo Fred.
The exhibits and competitions are what make this agricultural Fair such an authentic experience. Be sure to check out the work of the 4H kids in Columbia Hall and the livestock show ring. Hand crafted items are on exhibit in the Heritage Building and flowers, quilts, vegetables, fruit, photographs, school work, domestic arts and crafts are displayed in contests all across the Fairgrounds.
Maybe check out something new this year. Be inspired by the scouting exhibits. Take in the first signs of Fall: giant pumpkins and scarecrows. Enter the watermelon and ice cream eating contests. Take the kids to the petting zoo but then go for a walk through the barns and poultry building to get a close look at animals from the county’s farms – sheep, cows, rabbits, pigs, chickens, and goats.
And of course – Amusements of America’s Midway will be spinning rides and offering carnival games, there’s plenty of traditional and not-so-traditional fare on the food court, and a wide variety of items are available for sale from the many vendors.
So much to do and see! (Did we mention Racing Pigs?!!!) So come on out to the Columbia County Fair – but please leave your pets at home. Specially trained service dogs who accompany disabled persons are the only dogs permitted on the grounds and owners must show proof of rabies vaccination to enter.
In the best interests of all who attend this family-friendly event, the Columbia County Fair, in cooperation with our law enforcement partners, have taken steps to help create a safe environment. This includes bag checks at all entrance gates. All persons and property are subject to search. No firearms, knives, or weapons of any kind are permitted and guests and vendors may be subject to manual scanning and/or the use of a metal detector wand or similar device. It should be noted that ice chests and coolers larger than 16”x16”, and bags or backpacks larger than 24” in length are also prohibited. Further information and a full list of prohibited items may be found at columbiafair.com under the Code of Conduct on the Fair Info page.
The 181st Columbia County Fair is located off Route 66 in Chatham, New York. Opening day is Wednesday, August 31, at noon. The Fair – “always runs over Labor Day”, and concludes on Monday, September 5. General Admission is $12 and includes parking and all entertainment. Daily hours are Wednesday: noon to 11PM, Thursday – Monday: 10AM – 11PM. Seniors Day and Veterans Day is Wednesday with special pricing for $5.00 for ALL patrons. Youth under 18 admitted free that day until 4PM. Children 12 and under are always free.
Advance admission tickets may be purchased for $10 at Price Chopper or any branch of the Bank of Greene County August 1-31, and are also available by mail. Check the Fair’s website for details and a downloadable order form. Special ride passes at $20 Wednesday and Monday and $25 all other days are available at the ride ticket booth near the Cattle Area only from noon through closing.
Follow us on Facebook. The full Fair schedule and additional information is available at www.columbiafair.com.