Members of the community are getting ready for the 44th Annual Orange Country Fair in September. The fair was first held on Sept. 15, 1898 and slowly died out after 1921. But it was recreated in 1975 and has been going strong ever since. From oxen draws to tractor pulls and even the Animal Building, the fair has a little something for everyone.
As the fair gets closer you will start to see the iconic orange lawn signs and orange bumper stickers popping up all over town. You will also see the large signs on Route 34 and Orange Center Road reminding you that fair season is coming. In the weeks leading up to the fair the tractors start to come out, the dust is blown off the doodlebugs and the engines get started.
This year the fair starts Friday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. for truck pulls. It will continue Saturday at 8 a.m., opening with Chip’s Famous Pancake Breakfast and closing at 7 p.m. On Saturday there will be tractor pulls, a hay bale toss, doodlebug pulls and musical entertainment. On Sunday breakfast will be offered again at 8 a.m. and the fair will run until 6 p.m.
You can take a stroll through the Civic Tent and the Craft Tent before you travel back in time in the antique car lot. There will be gardening demonstrations in the Garden Club Tent at 2 p.m. both days, and the Flower and Fruit and Vegetable Tent will have some of the most beautiful flowers and largest veggies you’ve ever seen. In the Exhibit Hall you can view some local works of art submitted by the community, from photographs and paintings to baked goods and needlecraft. This year’s fair will also feature “The Horsing Around Show,” a trick pony show done three times each day at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for Adults and $5 for seniors and children. Parking is free and there is a free shuttle as well. Pets are not allowed. Alcohol is not permitted.
You can find more information as well as entry forms on the fair’s website at OrangeCTFair.com or in the Orange Country Fair book at the Case Memorial Library in Orange.