Like it has for the past 134 years, the Sunshine Fair hopes to balance old favorites with new attractions when it opens Friday.
This is the third year for the Schoharie County Fair's expanded nine-day run, which continues through next Saturday, August 6.
Fair President Doug Cater said the thing most fairgoers will notice first are new spots for old favorites.
The Entertainment Tent-host to Flame, the Sunshine Fair Idol Contest, and Rita Coolidge among others-has moved to behind the grandstand.
That, Mr. Cater said, will open up space for the Garcia Brothers Circus, which will perform at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm every day, next to the Fair's main gate.
Also at the main gate will be a new addition: a Victorian-style clock donated by Paul Palmer Jr., a longtime Fair friend.
This is the Garcia Circus's first visit to a New York State county Fair, Mr. Cater said; acts will include the "Human Cannonball," "Motorcycle Globe of Death," and "Medieval Archery."
Plus, Mr. Cater said, once each day one of the Garcias will walk the top of the Powers Great American Midway ferris wheel. While it's running.
Progressland has been dressed up inside with knotty pine paneling and will feature a new layout, Mr. Cater said; it will also be home to the Fair's Country Store, where Fair memorabilia and other local items will be for sale.
Also on display in Progressland will be carriages and sleighs from a collection of 22 just donated to the Fair.
The Fruit & Vegetable Building displays have been moved to the Hall of Agriculture, where antiques toys will also be on display and on Saturday, August 6, the Fabulous Beekman Boys and local producers will hold a farmer's market.
Most of the grandstand events are back, Mr. Cater said, and livestock numbers remain strong.
Dairy cattle and sheep will be exhibited this Friday through Monday; they'll be replaced by beef cows, goats, llamas and oxen for the second half of the Fair.
There will be horse shows every day and on Friday, August 5, there will be the first-ever oxen shows.
Sunday is Powers Great American Midway Day with discounted wristbands; Monday, admission is discounted with donations to local food pantries; Wednesday, August 3, is Sunshine Fair Idol Day, with a record number of contestants for the 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm event; and Thursday, August 4, everyone 18 and under will be admitted free until 6pm with wristbands discounted till 4pm.
Cobleskill's Main Street construction will present some challenges to Fairgoers, but Mr. Cater said they're working closely with local police to keep things moving.
"Most people who might not be aware of the construction usually come Mineral Springs Road," Mr. Cater said.
"We talked about changing our signs there, but when we looked at them, we realized there was no need."
Still, the Fair will be running three free trams from Guilford Mills, where parking will also be free.
Fairgoers should buy their tickets before getting on the tram.
More information on the Fair is available at SunshineFair.org