With a focus on "Celebrating Our American Heritage" the 2015 Schoharie County Sunshine Fair looks to be a winner.
That's according to Doug Cater, an almost 40-year volunteer with the Fair and longtime president.
The 139th Fair begins Saturday with a focus on country that includes an 11am ribbon-cutting at the new Town Stroll Marketplace and Schoharie County Barn Quit Trail exhibit under the grandstand.
Country Music Association top star Mark Willis will perform at 7:30pm in front of the grandstand.
Fireworks will follow.
And then the eight-day Fair will be off and running.
"We're really focusing on celebrating our American heritage with this Fair," Mr. Cater said Monday, as the Fairgrounds started to come together. "And of course, that means promoting Schoharie County.
"There's a lot to see and do here and we want people to make the most of all of it."
Planning the Fair is a year-round effort and Mr. Cater's most proud of the changes under the grandstand, where a complete rehab began last fall.
Barn quilt blocks designed and painted by Mr. Cater's daughter, Susan Harker, now line the building's walls and each of the booths has been repainted and re-themed.
A giant quilt block will also hang at the front of the grandstand.
New York State Ag Commissioner and Schoharie farmer Richard Ball is expected to be among the speakers at the ribbon-cutting, which will also showcase the new Heritage Harvest Farmers and Artisans Market in Party Tent Theater.
Other first-ever attractions at the Fair will include the American Heritage Show & Exhibit, a Colonial-era village with working hands-on exhibits and performances that will be set up across from Historic Treasures.
And going even farther back in time, a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex from the movie "Jurassic Park II" will also be on hand.
The S&S Midway will open at noon each day with discounted wristbands on sale Sunday and Thursday and special ride prices Monday-Wednesday.
Other selected highlights include:
Sunday-Karoke contest open auditions, 10am-9pm, near Party Tent Theater, (continuing throughout the week); iron spinner competition, 2-4pm, Hall of Ag; truck pull, 3pm.
Monday-Schoharie County Holstein Show, 9am; harness racing, noon; demolition derby, 7:30pm.
Tuesday-Draft horse halter classes, 9am, and hitch show, 1pm; Junior Department beef show, 1pm.
Wednesday-American Heros Day, all active and retired military veterans admitted free with ID; free drawing for 50 bicycles, 3pm (tickets given out from 11am-3pm), main entrance.
Thursday-Baby contest, 10:30am, Party Tent Theater; Flame, 3 and 6pm, Party Tent Theater; Painted Pony Rodeo, 7pm.
Friday-NYTPA Sanctioned tractor pull, 6pm; Master Showman contest, Dairy Barn, 7pm; Skeeter Creek, 8pm-midnight, Party Tent Theater.
Saturday-Gymkhana, 9am, Bruce Cater Show Ring; hay bale toss, 1:30pm, near Sunshine Park; 8pm, American Pride, a tribute to the Statler Brothers, Party Tent Theater.