NORWICH – A lot has changed in 160 years. But in that time, the heart and soul of the Chenango County Fair has always been there, fair board President Mary Weidman says.
“The times have changed, but the concept of the fair is the same as it’s always been,” she said. “It gives local people a chance to show-off their best and it gives our county a place to come together. That’s what it has always been about.”
The fair opened this morning at 9 and runs until Sunday night. Admission today is free. The mid-way rides open at 4 p.m., followed by the Firemen’s and 4-H parades starting at 6:30. A special musical performance by 1960s holdovers “Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen” will begin when the parades end.
Norwich Town Supervisor Dave Law says there’s something a little magical about seeing so many smiling faces this week.
“My favorite part is seeing the kids have a great time,” said Norwich town Supervisor Dave Law. “Bringing kids and their families happiness, that’s the key.”
The fair will open at 9 a.m. daily and close between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., depending on each night’s activities. Rides will open at noon each day. Week-long events include the Coleman Brothers Carnival, Wambold’s Circus, the free Entertainment Tent, Conservation Display, Floral Hall demonstrations and agricultural exhibitions.
“The fair is important part of the history of our county,” Decker said. “Agriculture is important in our area. The fair really highlights the dairy farmers, growers and other animal farmers that we have.”
Admission for adults and children over 18 years is $5; for youth ages 6 to 17 it’s $3. Adult season passes are available for $15, youth for $12.
A special tribute to Johnny Cash will be performed by his younger brother, Tommy Cash, at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the newly renovated grandstand. Admission to all grandstand events is $4.
“That’s going to be very special,” Weidman said.
Norwich residents Jason and Leslie Lawrence have also put together a live Horse Barn Display, a first for the fair.
“There has been a lack of horse exposure at the fair in past years,” Leslie said. “Horse exhibits are very popular at other events. We wanted to bring something like that here for people who are interested so they don’t have to travel so far. It’s right here in their backyard.”
There will be eight horses of varying breeds on display, including a Chincoteague mare and her foal the Norwich couple purchased at auction on Assateague Island in Virginia.
“This breed runs wild on nearby Chincoteague Island. They first swam there a few hundred years ago from an old Spanish shipwreck,” Leslie explained, adding that the animals swim a channel to Assateague each July where the young are auctioned by the local fire department to raise funds to care for the animals year round.
“It’s pretty cool,” she said.
