It’s fair season in Capital Region

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A previous version of this story gave the wrong date for the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair. It is July 26-Aug. 2.

CAPITAL REGION —County fairs are steeped in tradition, some having brought communities together for well over a century to enjoy days full of carnival rides, live music, demolition derbies and deep-fried snacks.

This year, each fair across the Capital Region will be bringing new attractions to entertain fairgoers.

Back by popular demand, the Saratoga County Fair will see the return of a live bear act and comedic hypnotist Brad Matchett. The Schaghticoke Fair will have tribute bands to KISS and the Beatles, and a “Streek-it-up” hair stylist who will be going around the grounds styling attendees’ hair with fancy do’s and colorful hairspray.

The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair will not be accepting Statewide Fair Passes for the 2014 season. Fair President Douglas Cater said that people were misusing the passes by passing them around to one another, which was costing the Sunshine Fair between $35,000 and $45,000 every year.

“We are 100 percent behind the State Fair Association, but sadly the misuse of passes was affecting our bottom line,” he said. “We can still offer people a great deal with our season passes.”

This year, the Sunshine Fair will also be welcoming a live performance from Delmar native Dani Moz, a Top 12 contestant from the popular television show “The Voice,” and host a home brew beer/wine/cider competition.

The Schaghticoke and Schoharie county fairs both confirmed that they will not be having any swine exhibits this year due to the highly contagious porcine epidemic diarrhea virus that has been sweeping parts of the country.

The virus poses the largest threat to pigs that are less than 10 days old, but many fairs across the state have decided against swine exhibits in their agricultural programs entirely to prevent any further spread of the epidemic. Though the virus is not transmittable to pork products, infected manure on shoes or equipment could carry the disease to other pigs.

Neither the Saratoga County or Altamont fairs have swine exhibits.

Here are details for the various county fairs in the region:

Saratoga County Fair

162 Prospect St., Ballston Spa

Tuesday–Sunday

General admission: $10

Children under 52 inches admitted free

Parking: free

www.saratogacountyfair.org

Schoharie County Sunshine Fair

Sunshine Drive, Cobleskill

July 26-Aug. 2

Daily ticket (ages 13 and up): $12

Children 12 and under admitted free

Eight-day adult passes (ages 13 and up): $45

Veterans admitted free with IDs on Wednesday

Youths 18 and under enter free on Thursday before 5 p.m.

Admission for seniors 62 and over: $8 on Monday before 5 p.m.

Parking: free

www.sunshinefair.org

Altamont Fair

Grand Street, Altamont

Aug. 12–17

General admission Tuesday and Wednesday: $15

General admission Thursday–Sunday: $17

Children under 36 inches admitted free

Admission ticket includes parking, music, circus, and rides

www.altamontfair.com

Washington County Fair

392 Old Schuylerville Road, Greenwich

Aug. 18–24

General Admission: $10

Ages 13 and under admitted free

Active military with ID admitted free

All week admission pass: $30

Admission for senior citizens on Wednesday: $5

Parking: free

www.washingtoncountyfair.com

Fonda Fair:

21 S. Bridge St., Fonda

Aug. 26–Sept. 1

General admission: $10

Admission for children 6-11 years: $2

Admission for children under 6 years: Free

Parking: $2

www.fondafair.com

Schaghticoke Fair:

69 Stillwater Bridge Road, Schaghticoke

Aug. 27–Sept. 1

Opening day admission: $5

General admission Thursday–Monday: $11

Admission for children 13 and under: Free

Admission for senior citizens on Thursday: $5

Six-day pass: $35

www.schaghticokefair.org

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Categories: News, Schenectady County