Come to the Fair

Grandstand Schedule

Monday - Derby $8

Tuesday- Hero’s Parade FREE

Wednesday - NYTPA $8

Thursday - Street Legal gas and diesel 4x4 trucks $8

Friday - Derby $8

Saturday Morning: 11,000 lb farm and hot farm tractor pull DONATION TO ENTER

Saturday Night: 6pm River of Dreams Billy Joel Tribute 8pm E1 PRESENTS brings The Ultimate Journey Experience by LEGEND

Saturday August 19, 2023

Teen Council Quilt Tickets for Sale; Baby Chicks Hatching; 4-H Photo Opportunity (Youth Bldg)

All Day Food Preservation- CCE human Ecology Program

As Scheduled Youth Activities (Youth Building)

8 a.m. Open Horse Show - Gymkhana Division

9 a.m. 4-H Master Livestock Showman Competition –Livestock Barn

9 a.m. 11,000 lb Farm & Hot Farm Tractor Pull – Donation to Enter

11 a.m. 4-H Livestock Herdsmanship Awards – Livestock Barn

11:30–1 p.m. Buffalo & Barfield – Entertainment Court

12 p.m. Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Dinner – Dairy Cattle Barn

1 p.m. Karaoke Finals – Entertainment Court

2 p.m. 4-H Livestock Auction – Livestock Barn Show Ring

2-4 p.m. Drying Herbs – CCE Human Ecology Bldg

4:30 p.m. Smelly Footwear Contest - Entertainment Court

5:30 p.m. Illusionist – Entertainment Court

Saturday August 19, 2023

6 p.m. River of Dreams, Billy Joel Tribute

6:15 p.m. Cowboy Circus – Entertainment Court

7-11 p.m. Music by BJ Hendrickson - Entertainment Court

8 p.m. E1 Presents Brings The Ultimate Journey Experience by LEGEND

8 p.m. All Exhibits Released (all animals and all Youth Building projects).

Exhibits remaining after 8 pm will be left at exhibitor’s risk.

* The Entertainment Court is sponsored by Curtis Lumber

The Delaware County Fair in Walton, New York is one of the largest truly agricultural fairs in the state and it celebrates its 136th year this summer. I grew up right here in Hancock and was a member of the local 4-H Club (Our club was called the French Peas -- because our members hailed from the French Woods and Peas Eddy areas of the Town of Hancock). The county fair was the pinnacle of the summer season. I just couldn’t wait for the thrill of the Midway rides and the chance that I would run into friends I hadn’t seen since school got out in June. I loved the animal barns and the horse shows. And, of course, nothing compares to Fair Food! Cotton candy, taffy, candy apples and fried everything! Templeton the rat was right ... the fair IS a smorgasbord.

I’m a little (?) older now and the Midway doesn’t hold quite as much appeal but I still make a point to attend every year. I still love the food, the animals, and all the wonderful displays and vendors. Even better than all that though are the people you meet at the Fair.

Last year I met Peter Halaquist. It had been a long day. I was tired and sat on a bench to rest for a minute and struck up a conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me. I noticed he was wearing a Vietnam Veterans cap and I thanked him for his service. He proceeded to tell me his story. I was enthralled. Peter grew up in nearby Franklin, New York and he still lives on the same piece of land where he spent his boyhood. He was very humble about his own service but was quick to tell me about his brother, Earl.

Earl Halaquist was a U.S. Navy air crew veteran of World War II. He returned from the war and became interested in racing cars. According to Peter, his brother Earl was a true sportsman who excelled at many sports but he really made a name for himself in the world of motorsports winning races and breaking records. The “Earl Halaquist Memorial” race is held every year in Fonda, NY. This year the race was held on August 5, 2023.

~ by Cindy R Ray

Everyone has a story . . . I met Peter at the Fair and he told me his story . . .

~ Cindy Ray