Afton Fair returning for 135th year
Jul. 15—Fair season is back, and the Afton Fair returns this week with a little bit of everything, from axe throwing to hot air balloon rides to a demolition derby.
The annual summer celebration runs from July 18-21 at 46 E. Main Street in Afton.
According to the fair website, admission is free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a $5 gate fee after 1 p.m. For Saturday and Sunday, admission is $5. Children 8 and under attend for free.
The fair gates are scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Thursday with county music artist Gary Jennings in the entertainment tent.
Other musical events in the tent include a karaoke contest Thursday, country artist Jason Wicks on Friday, classic rockers Short Change on Friday and Rylee Lum on Sunday.
The fair's annual Fireman's Parade is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m. to welcome fairgoers and celebrate first responders.
New to the fair this year are hot air balloon rides over the fairgrounds at dusk on Friday and Saturday.
Dan the Snakeman, an educational reptile experience, is scheduled to give fairgoers closeup moments with snakes and alligators all day Thursday and Sunday.
Daily features — some new activities and some returning events — include mechanical bull rides, inflatables and axe throwing.
The exhibition hall accepts entries from all ages with creations of different mediums, including creative writing and ceramics.
The demolition derby returns to the fairgrounds at 7 p.m. Saturday at the grandstand.
In addition to the live entertainment and games, there is slated to be plenty of vendors and fair food.
As an agricultural fair, the goal is to provide education on agricultural topics and a platform for youth and adults to learn and compete, the fair website stated.
One of the agricultural events listed is the open horse show at 9 a.m. Sunday. The show allows horseback riders to show their skills and compete for ribbons and small cash prizes.
Another agricultural event this year is the New York Sire Stakes harness racing event at noon Thursday, featuring the Standardbred horse breed, both pacers and trotters.
The fair hosts a dairy show every year. Young farmers can showcase their cattle in a competition at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The fair will host agricultural exhibits like historical displays and live animals throughout the fair's duration.
The full schedule and more information on how to sign up for competitions can be found at www.theaftonfair.com.
Jillian McCarthy, staff writer, can be reached at [email protected] or 607-441-7259.