CourierFAIR2019

ST E U B E N COUNTY

X XX

200

YEARS

X X X

X I R A XX F BATH, NY

AUG. 13-18 2019 PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEUBEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

PAGE 2 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

R A T S NE

LO ke stage a t to A

band with a truckload of number one country hits and a pop crossover that took the nation by storm will highlight Wednesday night at the Steuben County Fair.

Self-described country “supergroup” Lonestar will take the stage at 7 p.m. to play songs that should be familiar to nearly every person in attendance – plus some stuff off of their new album, “Never Enders.”

The band’s nine number one country hits include: “No News”, “Come Cryin’ to Me,” “Amazed,” “Smile,” “What About Now,” “Tell Her,” “I’m Already There,” “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Mr. Mom.” It was “Amazed” that made Lonestar a mainstream smash, the first record to top both the country charts and the Billboard Hot 100 since “Islands in the Stream” (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, 1983).

Lonestar is Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar and backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards and backing vocals).

Tickets to the show are $40 (track), $35 (reserved) and $30 general admission.

Tickets can be ordered in advance with the form online at https://www.steubencountyfair.org/ticket-information.

BY JAMES POST • JPOST@THE-LEADER.COM PHOTO PROVIDED BACKGROUND PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 3

200 YEARS of

Steuben County

Fair

W

hat began in 1819 with a small group of farmers and a $150 state grant continues Aug. 13-18 as the Steuben County Fair, marking its 200th anniversary.

Kirk House, of the Steuben County Historical Society, noted that 1819 was also the year that Alabama joined the union as the 22nd state – and King George III, nemesis of America’s Founding Fathers during the Revolutionary War, remained on the throne of England.

“There were no railroads and no telegraphs,” House added.

The focus then, as now, was on agriculture – the state Legislature approved the $150 subsidy as part of a plan to support county agricultural societies.

“Fairs were a place for experts and salesmen to reach the farm family,” House said. “Competitions stirred people to improve practices and to learn about better techniques from those who won the premiums.”

Of course, the Steuben County Fair hasn’t been held continuously since then. Funding ran out in 1824, according to House, and it was 1841 before money and leadership got things started again.

“A new agricultural society came to be, with founders having such prominent Steuben names as Cook, Bradford, Balcom, Magee, Waldo, Erwin, Robie, Potter, Hammond and Campbell,” House said.

Unfortunately, that only lasted until 1844.

Money ran out again – and many participants believed the fair judging had been rigged, House said.

It would take one more try.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEUBEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

“In 1853, folks formed a third Steuben County Agricultural Society, and this time they got it right,” House said. “Starting in 1853, the fair has run without interruption, under the auspices of that same Ag Society.”

But the Steuben County Fair wasn’t the only fair in Steuben County.

Though some details aren’t clear, competing fairs were held in Hornell, Prattsburgh and Troupsburg over the years, often drawing large crowds of their own.

“Prattsburgh’s Union Agricultural Society operated its own fair from 1884 to 1908 and did see 200 | 14

Story by James Post jpost@the-leader.com

PAGE 4 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

2019 4-H Fair Schedule Sunday, August 11

All 4-H youth building exhibits must arrive at the 4-H building between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted after Sunday. Cloverbud Youth Building Exhibits will be evaluated between 1-3 p.m. on Sunday only. NO ANIMALS ARE TO BE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS.

Monday, August 12

8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 4-H cavy, rabbit, poultry, dairy, beef, meat goat, dairy goat, breeding class sheep, cloverbud sheep, breeding class swine, and cloverbud swine exhibits arrive including weighing in of the market goats at the fairgrounds 9 a.m. 4-H and F.F.A. exhibits judged 5:30 p.m. 4-H Fair Animal Exhibitors Orientation Meeting, Livestock Show Ring 4-H Livestock Advisory Meeting after animal exhibitors meeting

Tuesday, August 13

7-9 a.m. Open meat goats arrive 7-9 a.m. Weigh the 4-H market steers and 4-H market dairy steers at the fairgrounds 8 a.m. 4-H Rabbit Show 8 a.m. 4-H and Open Class Poultry 9 a.m. 4-H Dairy Goat Show - Fitting & Showmanship followed by breed classes (Judging Pavilion) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Arrival of Open class Dairy Cattle and any 4-H lactating Dairy Animals if exhibiting other 4-H non lactating heifers 11 a.m. 4-H Meat Goat Showmanship, 4-H and Open Meat Goat Show (Market & Breed Classes) (Livestock Pavilion) 1 p.m. 4-H & FFA Dairy Judging Contest (Judging Pavilion) 1 p.m. 4-H Cavy Show and Showmanship 3 p.m. 4-H Cloverbud Swine Class, 4-H Breeding Swine Showmanship, and 4-H and Open Breeding Swine Classes (Livestock Show Ring) 5 p.m. 4-H Dairy Fitting Contest (pre-entry required) 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. 4-H Vegetable Art Contest

Find it online...

Wednesday, August 14

8 a.m. Any scratches for the dairy heifer classes must be reported to the show table 8:30 a.m. 4-H Dairy Showmanship including 4-H Dairy Cloverbud Class (Judging Pavilion) 4-H & Open Dairy Heifer Conformation Classes (Judging Pavilion) 9 a.m. Poultry/Waterfowl Showmanship 10 a.m. 4-H Cloverbud Sheep Class, 4-H Breeding Sheep Showmanship, 4-H & Open Breeding Sheep Classes (Livestock Show Ring) 12 p.m. Any scratches for the dairy cow classes must be reported to the show table 1 p.m. (Approx) 4-H & Open Dairy Cow Conformation Classes (Judging Pavilion) 2-4 p.m. Youth activities (youth building) 2-4 p.m. Rabbit Hopping competition (Youth Building) 3 p.m. 4-H Beef Showmanship Practice (Livestock Show Ring) 7 p.m. Release of 4-H & Open Breeding Class Sheep & Swine and Cloverbud Sheep & Swine 7 p.m. Release of Open Class dairy cattle and release of 4-H lactating dairy cattle if 4-H member is exhibiting other 4-H non lactating heifers 7-9 p.m. Open beef cattle arrive

Thursday, August 15

7-8 a.m. Open Beef Cattle Arrive 7-10 a.m. 4-H and Open Market Lambs and Market Hogs Arrive and are weighed at the fairgrounds 10 a.m. 4-H Goat Driving and Obstacle Classes (Judging Pavilion) 11 a.m. 4-H Beef Fitting & Showmanship including 4-H Cloverbud Beef Class (Livestock Show Ring) 1:30 p.m. (approx) 4-H & Open Beef Show Market Classes followed by the 4-H Commercial Breed Classes (Livestock Show Ring) 2-4 p.m. Youth activities (youth building) 3 p.m. (approx) 4-H & Open Beef Show Purebred Breed Classes (Livestock Show Ring) Conclusion of the Beef Show - Open Beef Cattle released

Friday, August 16

9 a.m. 4-H Horse Show –Western Classes Showmanship, Rail, Trail, Gymkhana, Mini’s & Driving 9 a.m. 4-H Market Hog Showmanship, 4-H and Open Market Hog classes 9:30 a.m. 4-H Rabbit Showmanship and Cloverbud rabbit show 1 p.m. 4-H Animal Costume Contest (Judging Pavilion) 2-4 p.m. Youth activities (youth building) 4 p.m. 4-H Market Lamb Fitting & Showmanship, 4-H & Open Market Lambs

Saturday, August 17

9 a.m. 4-H Horse Show – English Classes - Showmanship, Flat & Jumping, Trail, Dressage 10 a.m. 4-H Cake Decorating Contest Senior members age 14-19 10:30 a.m. 4-H Cake Decorating Contest Junior members age 8-13 11 a.m. 4-H Cloverbud Giant Cookie Decorating Contest (youth building) 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 4-H Cake Decorating Silent Auction 1 p.m. 4-H & FFA Market Animal Sale - Market Chickens, Market Turkeys, Market Rabbits, Market Lambs, Market Hogs, Market Beef, and Market Goats (Livestock Show Ring)

Sunday, August 18

9 a.m. Open Rabbit Show (Livestock Show Ring) 10 a.m. 4-H Creative Place Setting Contest (youth building) 11 a.m. 4-H Flower Arranging Contest (youth building) 12:30 p.m. 4-H Awards and Pizza Party (Lean-to off of Cement Barn) Also pick up Superior Herdsmanship Ribbons bring your Herdsmanship cards 4-7 p.m. 4-H Building Exhibits released (also Monday, Aug. 19, 9-11 a.m.)

4-7 p.m. 4-H ANIMAL EXHIBITS RELEASED • Courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County

Find plenty of information about Steuben County 4-H at: http://putknowledgetowork.org/4-h-youth

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 5

4-H

Visit the Youth Building

No day at the fair is complete until you visit the 4-H Youth Building! Everyone knows about the barns and all the animals at the fair, but there is so much more to 4-H. Let’s take a tour of the 4-H building. Along the first wall are the gardening projects – vegetables and fruits that have been grown in 4-H gardens. You will see cut flowers/plants and other horticulture projects. There is Cloverbud Corner, an area where the youngest 4-H members (age 5-7) projects are displayed. Many 4-H members have done a sewing project and these are displayed on the wall racks. Check out the designated area for the exhibits that were selected by the judges to go to the New York State Fair. Check for the green and white rosette judge’s choice ribbons – these are the” best of the best”!

On another wall you will see rows of blue cards for food entries on display. There will be no food exhibits since there was a bake sale on Monday with the proceeds going to the activity fund for 4-H trips and activities. But there will be food preservation projects – canning and drying. Check out the home environment area for quilts and other projects for decorating a home or bedroom.

4-H’ers are very creative. On the shelves there will be all kinds of art projects including paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, and crafts. As you continue to the back of the building you will see beautiful woodworking projects, shop projects, and farm crops. Robotics projects will be on display and on Youth Days you may see the Robotics Club in person, designing and practicing for the state fair competition. Don’t miss a new activity – Bunny Hopping. Tuesday evening is the Veggie Art contest. Using at least five locally grown vegetables, the 4-H’er trans-

forms them into a unique display. On Saturday is the Cake Decorating Contest. Following the Cake Decorating Contest at 11:30 a.m., we will hold a silent auction outside the youth building, and anyone can bid on these great cakes! On Sunday will be the Creative Place Setting and Flower Arranging Contests.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Booth is located in the back of the building. This year Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County is celebrating their 100th birthday. Follow the green footsteps from the front of the building to the booth to view some of our great old photos and information about our history! There is a timeline there that shows when the different agriculture, nutrition, 4-H and financial programs began!

Don’t miss one of the best displays at the fair…come visit the Youth Building!

CONTENT COURTESY OF CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION STEUBEN COUNTY

For more information on 4-H, go to: putknowledgetowork.org/4-h-youth

PAGE 6 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

Youth Day offers helmets, ID kits

A

t last year’s Youth Day at the Steuben County Fair a mother brought back a bicycle helmet her son received at the event and thanked the Steuben County Sheriff ’s office for the helmet which possibly saved her son’s life.

“Her son got a helmet at last year’s event and later that fall he was in an accident,” said Steuben County Sheriff Deputy Mike Ramirez. “She brought back the cracked helmet and thanked us.

Anywhere from 150-250 bicycle helmets and hundreds of safe children ID kits will once again be handed out by the Steuben County Sheriff ’s office to celebrate Youth Day at the 200th Steuben County Fair.

Ramirez said the bicycle helmets are provided to the sheriff ’s department through a state grant.

“The funding provides bicycle safety helmets, a bicycle safety presentation which a deputy goes over the rules of the road and things of that nature,” Ramirez said.

Undersheriff McNelis with a bike helmet and bicycle to be given away at the fair.

Terry Moir, Steuben County Sheriff ’s Department Dispatcher, said the Children ID Program provides hundreds of safe children ID kits. The kits include the child’s name, photo and thumbprint.

“If a child that completes this kit is ever missing their picture and name can immediately but put out on an Amber Alert,” Moir said.

Youth Day will be held from 1-5 p.m., Aug. 15, at the Steuben County Fair, 15 East Washington St., in Bath.

“This is just one more way in which the Steuben County Sheriff ’s Department is filling its public safety throughout the county,” said Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard.

A car seat safety check will also be held on Youth Day at the fair.

Fair Manager Nick Pelham said these programs are just part of the successful Youth Day events.

Allard said the department has held both events for decades and they provide a positive way for the public to interact with law enforcement.

By Jeff Smith • jsmith@the-leader.com • Photo provided

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4-H & FFA Animal Sale Aug. 17 Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County

The 47th Annual Steuben County 4-H & FFA Market Animal Sale will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m., at the Steuben County Fairgrounds Livestock Pavilion.

The sale will being in order with market chickens, turkeys, rabbits, lambs, hogs, steers and goats. Champions of each species will sell first-followed by remaining class winners.

Cash or good check must be given to the sales clerks immediately after the sale.

All animals are sold by the pound (live-weight). Except for market rabbits, chickens & turkeys (they will be sold by the head).

All slaughtering and processing fees are at the expense of the buyer.

All sales are final and the auctioneer will settle any disputes on bids.

Animals will be released from the fairgrounds on Sunday, August 18 at 4 p.m. and MUST be removed by 6 p.m. During this time frame, the animals will become the buyer’s responsibility.

Pictures will be taken with the buyers and exhibitors of the Grand & Reserve Champion animals.

2018 Grand Champions

Market Chicken Exhibitor: Ashlee Zschoche Buyer: Painters Meat Processing

see SALE | 18

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 7

PAGE 8 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

HAMMONDSPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT & THE STEUBEN COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL

9th

ANNUAL

B•B•Q COMPETITON

AUG. 24th • NOON - 8 PM

Friday night • Team Trivia 7-9 PM Sponsored by LaMarche Funeral Home

Saturday 3:30 PM • Corn Hole Tournament • Competition Tastings NO Coolers Please

Available to the public 1-4pm

Free • Adult Beverages • Food Vendors ADMISSION • Mini Golf • Kids Play Zone • Live Music Sponsored by Maloney’s Pub

Registrations available at HFD-NY.COM hport.bbq@gmail.com

Truck & Tractor Pull

ROARS OFF

T

he evening of Aug. 17 will feature a thrilling Truck and Tractor Pull at the 200th annual Steuben County Fair. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the grandstand.

The event will be posted by Outlaw Pulling Series, a truck pulling club based out of New York State. The evening will feature Light Hot Farm Tractors, King of the Street Diesel Pickups, 2.6 Modified Pickups, Street Semi Trucks and NY Mafia Enhanced Semi Trucks.

Because it is the 200th year the fair has been active, Outlaw Pulling Series will host a new category titled King of the Street Diesel Pickups, as noted above. Only 25 entries will be allowed in this class with a hook fee of $40 and a winner takes all prize.

After the 25 spots are filled, Outlaw Pulling

Series will announce they have reached the limit on their Facebook page. Sign-ups will not be allowed on the day of competition.

In addition to the King of the Street, there will be a meet and greet from 5-5:45 p.m. at the grandstand. Admission to the meet and greet is a general admission ticket to the show itself.

Saturday, Aug. 17 is a great day to visit the fair, not only because of the pull, but also because admission to the fairgrounds is $2 until 5 p.m., making the fair an affordable family endeavor for the entire day.

General admissions tickets to the Truck and Tractor Pull are $10, with reserved grandstand seating priced at $12. The event is fun for the whole family with lots of excitement throughout the event.

By Vanessa Helgeland • Gatehouse Media • Photo provided

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 9

Test your turkey calling skills

T

here’s a variety of fun, thrilling and quirky activities available to participate and view at the Steuben County Fair.

One of those events is a Turkey Calling Contest, where contestants get together with their turkey calls and do their best to mimic the sound of the large bird.

The contest, which will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Conservation Federation Building, is available for youths up to age 18.

The contestants’ Turkey clucks are judged by professional judges. The contest goes one round, and the contestant who sounds the most like a Turkey emerges as the winner. “[The contestants] cluck and do their thing, and then it’s judged by industry professionals to see who can sound the most like a turkey,” said Steuben County Fair Manager Nick Pelham.

Pelham said the Turkey Calling Contest is a popular one, and draws contestants from throughout New York.

“There’s youth that come from all over the state to compete in the contest,” he said.

Pelham said there’s usually between 30-40 competitors in the contest. Contestants are required to bring their own turkey call.

Ready... set... go!

watermelon eating contest messy, fun

A

mong the variety of activities and contests available to participate and view at the Steuben County Fair, a watermelon eating contest sponsored by Tops Market will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.

The contest, which will take place at the grandstand, will feature multiple groups broken up into age groups to see who can crush a large slice of watermelon the fastest. Every participant in the contest gets the same size slice.

“They slice up the watermelon, everyone gets a slice and you can’t use your hands,” said Steuben County Fair Manager Nick Pelham. “The first one through that piece of watermelon wins.” see WATERMELON | 14

By Stephen Borgna • sborgna@the-leader.com • File photo

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FREE SHOWS DAILY. FUN FOR THE WHOLE

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MONSTER TRUCK SHOW

FRI. AUG. 16TH • 7PM See more at www.steubencountyfair.org

CARNIVAL & MIDWAY PROVIDED BY

COLEMAN BROTHERS SHOWS **ALL ENTERTAINMENT AND SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE**

TUES. AUG. 13TH **Two Dollar Day** $2.00 admission

Carnival Opens at 4 PM • Rides $2.00 8 AM 4-H & Open Class Poultry 11 AM 4-H & Open Meat Goat show 12 PM HARNESS RACING (weather permitting) 12 PM - 4 PM Music by Craig Wikins (Pavilion by Milking Parlor) 3 PM 4-H & Open Breeding Swine Classes

GRANDSTAND EVENT

7:00 DEMOLITION DERBY

WED. AUG. 14TH

**Two Dollar Day** $2.00 admission til’ 5pm Carnival Opens at 1 PM Wrist Bands $25 sold 4 PM- 9 PM (Honored until close) 8 AM 4-H & Open Dairy Heifer Show 10 AM 4-H & Open Sheep Show 1 PM 4-H & Open Dairy Cow Show

LONESTAR

WED. AUG 14TH • 7PM 5 PM TURKEY CALLING CONTEST, YOUTHS UP TO AGE 18 (Conservation Federation Building)

GRANDSTAND EVENT

COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT LONESTAR 7:00PM

THURS. AUG. 15TH

**YOUTH DAY** Youths under 18 admission FREE til’ 5PM Carnival Opens at 1 PM Wrist Bands $25 sold 1 PM - 5 PM (Honored until 7 PM) 10 AM Child ID Program (Sheriff Dept. Pavillion) 11 AM - 3 PM Bike Helmet Give Away (Sheriff Dept. Pavillion) 11 AM 4-H Beef Fitting & Showmanship 1 PM 4-H & Open Beef Show Market Classes followed by 4-H Commercial Breed 3 PM 4-H & Open Beef Show Purebred

6 PM 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging & Livestock Skill-a-thon Contest

GRANDSTAND EVENTS

3 PM WATERMELON EATING CONTEST 4 PM FREE TABLET DRAWING Compliments of COLEMAN BROS. SHOWS

7 PM DEMOLITION DERBY

FRI. AUG. 16TH Carnival Opens at 1 PM Wrist Bands $25 sold 1 PM - 4 PM (Honored until 6 PM) 9 AM 4-H HORSE SHOW, English & Western Classes, Horse Show Ring 9 AM 4-H Swine Showmanship 9 AM 4-H & Open Market Hog Classes 4 PM 4-H Sheep Fitting Showmanship 4 PM 4-H & Open Market Lambs

GRANDSTAND EVENT

7 PM MONSTER TRUCK SHOW

FRIDAY NIGHT MIDNIGHT MADNESS

Wrist Bands $25 sold 8PM - 10PM (Honored until MIDNIGHT)

SAT. AUG. 17TH

**Two Dollar Day** $2.00 admission til’ 5pm **YOUTH DAY** Youths under 18 admission FREE til’ 5PM Carnival Opens at 1 PM Wrist Bands $25 sold 1 PM - 5 PM (Honored until 7 PM) 9 AM 4-H HORSE SHOW, Fitting & Showmanship, Trail, Dressage & Game Classes, Horse Show Ring 10 AM HORSESHOE PITCHING TOURNAMENT, Singles (Judging Pavilion) 12 PM - 4 PM GAS ENGINE & ANTIQUE FARM EQUIPMENT SHOW & DEMOS (Behind Grandstand) 1 PM 4-H Livestock Sale (Swine/Sheep Barn)

GRANDSTAND EVENTS

12 PM TALENT SHOW 4 PM FREE TABLET DRAWING

Compliments of COLEMAN BROS. SHOWS

6 PM TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL 2.6 Diesel Pickups, Street Diesel Pickups, Street Semis and NY Mafia Semis. Light Hot Farm Tractor

SUN. AUG. 18TH **LAST DAY OF FAIR** Carnival Opens at 1 PM Wrist Bands $25 sold 1 PM - 5 PM (Honored until 7 PM) 9 AM Open Rabbit Show 10 AM HORSESHOE PITCHING TOURNAMENT, Doubles (Judging Pavilion)

GRANDSTAND EVENT

4 PM DEMOLITION DERBY FINALS Brought to you by the Steuben County

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

office phone: 607-776-4801 www.steubencountyfair.org Daily Gate Admission $6.00 • Children 12 & under free 6 Day Pass $20.00 Free Parking DISCOUNT WRIST BAND before 8/13 for $18.00 AVAILABLE AT WWW.COLEMANBROSSHOWS.COM

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PAGE 12 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

Getting there...

The Steuben County Fairgrounds is located in the Southern Tier of New York, bordering Allegany, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Schuyler and Chemung counties.

Directions to Fairgrounds:

Take Exit 38 off Rte. 17 or Rte. 86 proceed down W. Washington Street, to 3rd light. Fair Office straight ahead on left side of E. Washington St. Fairground entrances are just past the fair office, turn left on Rumsey St. then an immediate left onto grounds.

The Exhibitor and Service entrance is located by taking a left at 3rd light on Liberty St. Then right on Chestnut St. From Penn Yan take Rte. 54S to Geneva St. then left on Chestnut St. www.steubencountyfair.org

STEUBEN COUNTY DPW

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FACILITY LOCATIONS & HOURS BATH LANDFILL • 5632 Turnpike Rd., Bath • Mon. – Sat. 7:30AM – 3:30PM ERWIN TRANSFER • 622 S. Hamilton St, Painted Post • Tues. – Sat. 7:30AM – 3:30PM HORNELL TRANSFER • 6360 E. Avenue Ext, Hornell • Tues. – Sat. 7:30AM – 3:30PM WAYLAND TRANSFER • 2078 Dieter Rd, Wayland • Tues. – Sat. 7:30AM – 3:30PM

CLOSED HOLIDAYS Independence Day……................JULY 4 Labor Day………………................SEPT 2 Columbus Day………….......…....OCT 14 Election Day……….…...................NOV 5 Veteran’s Day………….................NOV 11 Thanksgiving…………….…...NOV 28-29 Christmas………………..............DEC 25 New Year’s Day…………...............JAN 1 Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Day......JAN 20 President’s Day……..............…..FEB 17

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.steubencony.org/pages.asp?PGID=68 (607) 776-5876 • RBills@SteubenCountyNY.gov

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 13

at the

e n i sh

TALENT CONTEST

By Vanessa Helgeland Gatehouse Media

BATH – The Steuben County Fair will mark its 200th anniversary from Aug. 13-18. Many events will take place throughout those six days for the community to enjoy. One of those highlighted events is the annual Talent Contest, taking place Aug. 17 at noon.

There are two categories of contestants that will compete for cash prizes: the Maxi Division (13 years of age and over) and the Mini Division (12 years of age and under). Contestants must be strictly amateur performers in order to compete in the contest.

Contestants can compete as a solo act or with a group of two or more performers. A contestant can perform for a maximum of three times, as a solo act, a member of two other groups or a member of three groups with no solo act.

An act cannot exceed five minutes or it will face automatic disqualification. In addition, contestants do not need to be Steuben County residents in order to compete. However, they must be New York State residents.

There will be no entry fee for the contest, but all contestants must still pay the admissions fee to enter the fairgrounds. Cash prizes will be awarded for first through third place, with the first place contestant receiving a $125 cash prize, second place receiving $75 cash and see TALENT | 15

x

METRO CREATIVE

PAGE 14 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

WATERMELON

Continued from 9

Pelham said the action gets messy pretty fast.

“It’s a sticky event, that’s for sure,” he said.

The sticky contest is a popular one that usually draws upwards of 100 participants.

The watermelon eating contest is a

classic event at the Steuben County Fair that’s been featured during the festivities for more than 20 years.

All the watermelons are provided by Tops Market.

House said.

“An unusual feature of the Troupsburg Fair, once the technology became available, was movies every day,” he added.

As for the Steuben County Fair that remains, much of the infrastructure on the current fair site was built in the 1860s and 1870s, including the track, fair house, gatehouse and grandstand.

In the 1890s, a teenaged Glenn Curtiss raced his bicycle on the fairground track. “[By] 1909 there were 29 structures [on the fairgrounds], including numerous sheds, barns, and stables north of the grandstand and a ‘w.c.,’ or water closet [restroom with flushing toilet],” House said.

He noted that the fair has continued through the Civil War, two World Wars, a flu epidemic that killed tens of millions, the Great Depression and catastrophic floods in both 1935 and 1972. “[The fair organizers] deserve a round of prolonged applause” for keeping the

event going despite all the obstacles and setbacks, House said.

This year’s Steuben County Fair opens Tuesday, Aug. 13. The first event on the schedule is a poultry competition at 8 a.m. – something that could easily have been held the same way, at the same time of day, in 1819.

At 7 p.m. that night, the grandstand will fill up for a demolition derby that would have mystified the fair’s first founders.

What would they have thought of Friday night’s monster truck show, drawings for free tablet computers on Thursday and Saturday, or the brightly-lit electric rides of the Coleman Bros. carnival midway?

More information on the fair, including a full schedule of events and ticket information, is online at www.steuben countyfair.org.

200 Continued from 3 pretty well for a while, drawing as many as 5,400 visitors on a single day,” House said. “They built their own fair house, oval racecourse and grandstand, plus, of course, barns, sheds and coops for livestock.”

The organization that operated the Great Hornell Fair continued to operate until at least 1925, according to written records.

“The fairgrounds were in the area of the present high school,” House said.

“Ruth Law landed her Curtiss airplane there after flying non-stop from Chicago in 1916, setting the American distance record.”

In Troupsburg, the Southern Steuben Agricultural Society was created in 1880 to run the community’s own fair.

“The grounds were on today’s Route 36, and the event continued for 44 years, [with] 1924 being the final presentation,”

Master Gardener training set

Have you thought about becoming a Master Gardener through Cornell Cooperative Extension? The Master Gardener Program is a national program of trained volunteers who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension office to extend information throughout their communities. Master Gardeners come from all walks of life, and are united by their enthusiasm for plants and people. Master Gardeners are expected to share their horticultural training with the community in the form of 100 initial hours of volunteer work with Cooperative Extension over a two year period. Through the Master Gardener training sessions and workshops, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener. You will have access to numerous Cooperative Extension gardening materials and will be able to attend Master Gardener workshops and participate in field trips with other Master Gardeners from around the state. Volunteer hours are flexible depending on interest and time availability. Travel expenses are tax-deductible.

Dates for the Southern Tier Master Gardener Program sessions that will take place across five counties are: Sept. 21, Oct. 9, Nov. 16, Dec. 7, March 14 and April TBD in Steuben County.

For more information, Contact Ariel Kirk, Ag Educator, CCE-Steuben at adk39@cor nell.edu or 607-664-2574.

• Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 15

Fairground horse stalls overhauled

Stephanie’s Family Restaurant is located on West Steuben Street in Bath.

Local businesses benefit from fair traffic BATH – Local restaurants and businesses will certainly see a positive impact from the large crowds that flock to the 200th Steuben County Fair.

Bath Village Mayor Bill von Hagn said the fair always brings a lot of people to the Village Business District.

“It’s provides a great impact to our economy,” von Hagn said. “We are appreciative of having the fair here for so many years and we want to celebrate with them on their 200th year anniversary celebration.”

Von Hagn said he and many local business owners are pleased and would like to thank all

of the people that have put so much into the fair and its success for so many years.

“The business owners welcome the business increase the fair provides,” von Hagn said.

Bill Collmer, president of the Central Steuben Chamber of Commerce, called the Steuben County Fair a huge impact to the Bath area and the economy.

“It’s pretty much the center of Bath business in the summer as far as I am concerned,” Collmer said. “Every summer it’s definitely a valuable asset to every business in Bath because all of the people the fair brings to the area.”

Story and photo by Jeff Smith • jsmith@the-leader.com

TALENT

Continued from 13 third place receiving $50 cash. Fourth through seventh place will receive medals and all contestants will receive ribbons.

Contestants will be scored based on three categories totaling 80 points: technique/ natural ability, execution/choreography and quality of performance, and stage presence

and showmanship.

The first 25 winning contestants of the Mini and Maxi divisions will be eligible to compete at the New York State Fair Talent Showcase. Contestants may only audition in one county and perform the same act at both county and state levels.

Entries are accepted until Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. All contestants must meet on the stage in front of the grandstand at

11:30 a.m. the day of competition in order to participate.

The contest will be held rain or shine.

More information about the contest rules, regulations and registration can be found online at steubencountyfair. org. The registration form is available online as well.

Other events can be viewed on their website in addition to the Steuben County Fair Facebook Page.

This spring, 4-H volunteers, leaders, parents and youth began work on revitalizing the 4-H horse facilities at the Steuben County Fairgrounds. The stalls, original to the fairgrounds, were in desperate need of repair for safety of the horses and youth. With nearly 35 stalls, it was no small task.

Over the span of several work days – and hundreds of community service hours, youth and adults completed the first 10 stalls by the June 9 4-H Qualifying Horse Show! The goal is to complete all 25 sponsored stalls by the 2019 Steuben County Fair. Besides addressing major safety concerns, the youth made new friends, learned important life skills and gained a strong sense of ownership and pride in their work to reach the project goals. Thank you to our stall sponsors!

Thank you to our advertising sponsors!

CONTENT COURTESY OF CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION STEUBEN COUNTY

Farm Family Life Insurance Co., Farm Family Casualty Insurance Co., United Farm Family Insurance Co., Glenmont, NY 12077

Lester York • Agent (607) 324-4108 15 Church St. Hornell, NY 14843 lester.york@american-national.com

PAGE 16 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

The ’ s r i a F r ‘Othe

D

espite the lengthy heritage of “Bath Fair,” and its status as the official county fair, other communities tried their hands at competing for contestants and visitors.

PRATTSBURGH’S Union Agricultural Society operated its own fair from 1884 to 1908 and did pretty well for a while, drawing as many as 5,400 visitors on a single day. They built their own fair house, oval race course, and grandstand, plus of course barns, sheds, and coops for livestock. Being at the terminus of the Kanona and Prattsburgh Railroad no doubt helped the Prattsburgh fair, but by 1908 motor vehicles were making it easier for folks to get to the bigger fairs, such as the county fair in Bath. Prattsburgh’s fair just broke even in ’08, then closed operations and sold off the assets.

The HORNELLSVILLE Fair, Inc., with offices on 5 Seneca Street in the city, appears in the Hornell directory at least as late as 1925. The fairgrounds were in the area of the present high school – Ruth

Law landed her Curtiss aeroplane there after flying non-stop from Chicago in 1916, setting the American distance record.

A 1907 photo of the Great Hornell Fair shows a large grandstand and a sea of parked horse-drawn vehicles, but not much else by way of detail on the fair. The fair DID enjoy locally-built “ferris” wheels.

In 1880 TROUPSBURG reached its peak population of 2,500, and organized the Southern Steuben Agricultural Society to operate an annual fair.

The grounds were on today’s Route 36, and the event continued for 44 years… 1924 being the final presentation. An unusual feature of Troupsburg Fair, once the technology became available, was movies every day.

By Kirk House, Steuben County Historical Society • Photos courtesy of Steuben County Historical Society

Please support all of the advertisers that brought this special section to you.

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 17

Two Centuries of County Fair

S

tate legislators wanted to improve agriculture in New York, so in 1819 they appropriated matching funds to help support county agricultural societies.

Elkanah Watson began stumping the state to spread the word, and in Bath he found an eager crowd already waiting. They invited him to the courthouse, where “I found the court room and the gallery crowded, and the lawyers’ seats preoccupied by ladies. Mr. Higgins [Bath Presbyterian minister] made an eloquent appeal to the throne of grace, appropriate to the occasion. It evidently softened the hearts of the audience and predisposed them to receive with favor my address. They immediately proceeded to organize and, what was more important, in one hour the whole sum requisite to secure the state bounty was pledged.”

The goal was to improve agriculture. Fairs were a place for experts and salesmen to reach the farm family. Competitions stirred people to

improve practices, and to learn about better techniques from those who won the premiums. There were also, of course, entertainment and social benefits, especially in those days of difficult travel.

Fairs and subsidies continued until about 1824, after which things apparently lay silent until 1841, when a new subsidy was passed, and a new agricultural society came to be, with founders having such prominent Steuben names as Cook, Bradford, Balcom, Magee, Waldo, Erwin, Robie, Potter, Hammond, and Campbell. They held their fairs in Bath “upon the river flats, just east of Ark Street, and domestic manufactures and household goods were exhibited in the court house.”

But that petered out by 1844 or so, with loss of subsidy and amid bit-

ter complaints that the judging was rigged in favor of wealthy farmers.

But in 1853 farm folks formed a third Steuben County Agricultural Society, and this time they got it right. Starting in 1853 the fair has run without interruption, under the auspices of that same Ag Society. In 1854 they held the fair on the current site, and it’s been there ever since – they bought the place (for $1,200) in 1862.

In 1863 came the Fair House and the Gatehouse so familiar to us today, and the driving track appeared about 1867. The 1869 map shows half-a-dozen buildings on site, and by 1873 the grandstand had been added.

By 1901 Hammondsport routinely closed school during fair week, and merchants stood idle in their stores.

In 1909 there were 29 structures, including numerous sheds, barns,

and stables north of the grandstand and a “w.c.,” or water closet (flush toilets).

In 1867 Civil War General William Woods Averell of Cameron delivered an address, and in the 1890s teenaged Glenn Curtiss raced bicycles on the track. Entertainers over the years included Grandpa Jones, Frank Fontaine, Bobby Vinton, and the Hoosier Hotshots.

It’s been a gigantic challenge for our current Ag Society to put on a fair every year – though the Civil War, two World Wars, the Spanish influenza pandemic, the Great Depression, the catastrophic flood years of 1935 and 1972, and the dramatic dwindling of the agricultural community.

They deserve a round of prolonged applause from everyone in Steuben County.

By Kirk House, Steuben County Historical Society • Photos courtesy of Steuben County Historical Society

PAGE 18 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

Fair scenes

SALE Continued from 6

Market Lamb Exhibitor: Sara Stierly Buyer: Painters Meat Processing Market Turkey Exhibitor: Carlee Lukenbach Buyer: Nick Pelham

Photos courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County

W. Presher Market Hog Exhibitor: Sara Stierly Buyer: Painters Meat Processing Market Rabbit Exhibitor: Emilee Hurd Buyer: Sylvester Quality Meats Market Steer Exhibitor: Isabelle Painter Buyer: Donald L. & Donald

Market Goat Exhibitor: Emilee Hurd Buyer: Jerry Barney

2018 Reserve Grand Champions Market Chicken Exhibitor: Carlee Luckenbach Buyer: HLW Acres

Market Lamb Exhibitor: Braxtyn Elliott Buyer: Homestead Coal Market Turkey Exhibitor: Makenna Luckenbach Buyer: Nick Pelham Market Hog Exhibitor: Tyler Evans Buyer: Jim & Sue Emo

Market Rabbit Exhibitor: Emilee Hurd Buyer: Gary Hadsell Market Steer Exhibitor: Jillian Miles Buyer: Hanfts Hickory Hill Farms Market Goat Exhibitor: Trinity Dailey Buyer: HLW Acres

AUGUST 2019 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | PAGE 19

PAGE 20 | STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR | AUGUST 2019

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