Mermaids at the 145th Schoharie County Sunshine Fair?
You’ll have to show up to find out, but the Aquatic Acrobat Show is just one of the new attractions for the August 9-14 run.
Two years ago, COVID cancelled the Fair.
Last year the fun came roaring back and so far in 2022, events at the Fairgrounds have been drawing record crowds.
Fair President Doug Cater is hoping that trend holds for the Fair.
“We’re always trying to add to what we can offer while keeping the traditional favorites, the things folks come to the Fair for,” he said Monday, as crews tackled tasks like mowing and beginning to open up the buildings.
‘I think we’ve done an especially good job with both this year.”
New will be the Aquatic Acrobats, “jaw-dropping acts” above a custom-designed water stage by “entertainers attired in colorful mermaid and sailor costumes.”
And a Jet Ski.
The Royal Hanneford Circus is returning with a new blue and white tent and a new look; favorite Rosaire’s Racing Pigs will also be back, but Hot Diggity Dog, an act featuring performing hogs, dogs, and a camel—with plenty of audience participation—is new.
On the agricultural side of the Fairgrounds, Mr. Cater said, the goat show will be back and dairy numbers are holding steady at about 100 cows; thanks to the work of Superintendent Tom Cook, the rabbit barn has been scraped and painted and the number of entries has more than doubled.
“I really hope people stop in and take a look,” Mr. Cater said. “What Tim and his family have done is just amazing.”
Harness racing with a noon post time will help open the Fair on Tuesday, August 9; Wednesday, the 10th is Festival of Horses Day.
Grandstand events will feature a mix of new and old with the crowd favorite, demolition derbies, and truck and tractor pulls, but also, a Quadwars & Trophy Truck Show Wednesday, an Equipment Rodeo Saturday, and for a different kind of horsepower, a pony pull for miniature horses, also Wednesday.
The Taste of New York building will feature representatives and products from the Schoharie County Beverage Trail; the number of Fair concessions, including food and other items is up; and the Dreamland Amusements Midway will feature rides, games and food.
“We work on this all year we know we’ll have a great Fair,” Mr. Cater said. “You don’t find many Fairs like ours anymore. We’re proud of what we do.”