MORRIS – Well over half a century has gone by since the Otsego County Grange took over the Otsego County Fair and to this day, fairgoers and directors say the show is going strong.

An fair entry clerk said as of Monday. the barns and exhibit halls are full and the phones have been ringing with more entries all day. Kicking off July 31 with a day of free admission, rides provided by Gillette Shows, free entertainment, food, demonstrations and shows at the grandstand throughout the day, the fair is scheduled to last six days until closing Sunday, Aug. 5.

Special events this year include the fire service and school band parade, sponsored by New York Central Insurance Co. at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Also, followed by fireworks opening night, nationally acclaimed singing sensation Jason Michael Carroll will perform after opening act Cassidy Lynn and the Skyline Band starting at 7 p.m., Aug. 1. Admission is $10. The show, the Rodeo and other attractions throughout the week are sponsored by Otsego Automotive.

The Demolition Derby has taken a new spin this year as well as a backseat competition – meaning the drivers themselves will be blindfolded while the individual in the backseat gives out the driving directions.

There are plenty of free events taking place throughout the week for the whole family. Activities include entertainers Buffalo Barfield, Jason Reilly’s Frog Bog Island Shows, the magic trunk, Wambold’s Circus, a science discovery center and more. There are also wildlife, commercial, grange and farm exhibits as well.

Making the fair possible are numerous volunteers who perform a variety of jobs on and around the fairgrounds before and during the week. The fair as advertised promises to be “the best six days of summer” and for the roughly 40,000 people who attend year after year, fair directors say that is exactly what is provided.

2007 OTSEGO COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE

A free old fashioned hymn sing featuring area soloists, instrumentalists and Church choirs is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., before the fair opens, Monday, July 31 at the Grandstand. The event is sponsored by the Otsego County Council of Churches.

Admission prices: Tuesday -free admission to all. Wednesday through Saturday parking is $2, adult (16 and over) $5, Youth ages 8 to 15 $2.50, Under 8 free. Pre-fair season passes with daily re-entry with wristband adult $12, youth $7. Season passes available at the fair office starting in July adult $15 and youth $8. Grandstand admission is listed on the grandstand schedule. For more information call 263-5289 or visit www.otsegocountyfair.org.

A schedule of events is planned for this years Otsego County fair taking place July 31 through Aug.

Tuesday July 31

Free Day at the Fair Sponsored by Wilier National Bank

Senior Citizens Day – Special programs in the Grange building

8 a.m. gates open – buildings open at 10 am

8 a.m. 4-H Dog Show

Noon New York State Sire Stakes Harness Racing

Noon Casserole Contest

Noon Gillette Shows – Midway Carnival Opens

Noon 4-H Dairy Showmanship

Noon – 7 p.m. Safe Summer Safari

12:30 p.m. Clayton Bink, 50’s, 60’s and 70’d music

1-4 p.m. Blue Ribbon Cloggers

1 p.m. Demonstrations – Floral Hall

1 p.m. 4-H Rabbit Show & Showmanship

2 p.m. Hinman Hollow and Springfield Granges (Bill Powers, Fiddle & Irene Fassett, piano)

3 p.m. Blue Ribbon Cloggers

4:30 p.m. Safe Summer Wheel of Safety Fun Event

6 p.m. 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

7:30 p.m. Fire Service and School Band Parade/Fireworks

* Also many free attractions

Wednesday Aug. 1

9 a.m. 4-H Gymkhana Horse Show

9 a.m. Draft/Mule/Driving Horse Show

9:30 am Swine Show – 4-H & Open

10:30 a.m. Otsego County Fair Pageant – registration for Beautiful Babies and Pageant of Stars

11 a.m. Otsego County Fair Pageant starts

Noon Gillette Shows – Midway Carnival Opens

Noon-7pm Safe Summer Safari

12:30 p.m. Otsego County Fair Pageant – registration for teens 13-18

1 p.m. Otsego County Fair Pageant starts for teens

1-4 p.m. Demonstrations in Floral Hall

2 p.m. Adult Dairy Showmanship

4:30 p.m. Safe Summer Wheel of Safety Fun Event

4:30 p.m. Butternut Valley Grange Singers

5 p.m. Beef Cattle show (4-H and open classes)

5-10 p.m. Pay -one-price carnival rides

6 p.m. Tweedlers

7 p.m. Talent Contest followed by Balloon Antics by Mike

7:30 p.m. Jason Michael Carroll Concert with opening act; local country singer Cassidy Lynn and the Skyline Band. Tickets $10.

* Also many free attractions

Thursday Aug.2

8 a.m. Out to field tractor pull

9 a.m. 4-H Western Horse Show

9:30 a.m. Open Dairy Show (Guernsey, Holstein, Brown Swiss)

10 a.m. Poultry Show 4-H & Open

Noon Gillette Shows – Midway Carnival Opens

Noon – 5 p.m. Pay -one - price carnival rides

Noon – 7 p.m. Safe Summer Safari

1 – 4 p.m. Demonstrations in Floral Hall

1 p.m. Irish Step Dancers

1 p.m. Milking Cow Classes