WEEDSPORT - An alien, Spongebob Squarepants, the zoo and a bag of popcorn have all come to this year's Cayuga County Fair.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Josie Towne, 6, of Syracuse, steers the sailboat with the help of her father, Deidrich Towne, during the Parade of Boats on Little Sodus Bay Wednesday.
Josie Towne, 6, of Syracuse, steers the sailboat with the help of her father, Deidrich Towne, during the Parade of Boats on Little Sodus Bay Wednesday.
No, they're not really off-world visitors or creatures from the bottom of the sea. Instead, they are decorated hay bales situated in the Granger Building on the grounds of the Cayuga County Speedway ready to be judged, admired and shown-off to the public during the fair's four-day run, which began Thursday.
Howard Kenyon of Elbridge liked the alien because it was the best decorated, he said.
Jessica Thompson, 11, of Cato, was awarded red and blue ribbons Thursday in a 4-H craft competition for her pillows, bandannas and drawings.
And 5-month-old Kayla Darling was entered by her parents Brandy Horner and Rob Darling, of Auburn, in the baby show.
Kayla's uncle, Nick Horner, enjoyed watching the little children in the show.
“I like seeing the little kids coming and participating in stuff like this and seeing how cute they are,” said the 9-year-old from Auburn.
Thursday's festivities kicked off the second annual new Cayuga County Fair.
The fair had previously run for 25 years before being canceled in 2005 due to a change in the property's ownership.
The fair was revived last year. County Fair Director John Lester said that he wanted to start a new tradition.
The fair offers free parking, free admission and free entertainment for people who come to check out the county youths' agricultural, horticultural and grange projects as well as the displays of alpacas, sheep, goats. They can also watch 4-H events such as the horse and dog shows.
And of course the fair features carnival rides, this year supplied by Playland Amusements.
“We do it for the youth and everything ties in,” said Lester, manager of the Tractor Supply Co. in Auburn. “They work hard on their projects all year long and the fair's really an outing for them. They work hard, get judged, then they have fun with their families.”
This year the fair has added major corporate sponsors, civil groups, venders and a new stage.
“We are making it into a venue that people are going to remember and come back to year after year,” Lester said.
Howard Hoad brought his daughter, McKenzie, from Canandaigua to see what the fair had to offer.
“Usually I like to take my daughter around to see the animals, ride the rides and meet some different people,” Hoad said.
He has been a regular at county fairs since he was a child. Now he tours around New York to see different regions' fairs.
McKenzie's favorite part was looking at the animals. “They're nice and cuddly,” said the 9-year-old.
Fair organizers were hoping the weather would cooperate for the four-day run. They weren't appreciating the afternoon shower on Thursday. The National Weather Service forecasted showers and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday.
“Right now the contract we signed with Mother Nature is a little bit shaky,” Lester said with a reassuring chuckle.
About two hours before the fair officially opened Thursday raindrops had inundated Weedsport; but just as the fair was gearing up for the crowds, the sun made a swift return.
Sunny skies are expected for Saturday and Sunday with highs around 80 and 90 degrees, respectively.
Rick and Darlene Nila, of Auburn, brought their three children, Jenna, 5, Mary, 3, and Lily Rose, 14 months, to the fair Thursday.
“It's something we can do with the kids. It's a tradition,” said Darlene. “We missed it the year they didn't have it.”
“The whole idea behind this is the fun aspect and the memories,” Rick chimed in.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Howard Kenyon of Elbridge liked the alien because it was the best decorated, he said.
Jessica Thompson, 11, of Cato, was awarded red and blue ribbons Thursday in a 4-H craft competition for her pillows, bandannas and drawings.
And 5-month-old Kayla Darling was entered by her parents Brandy Horner and Rob Darling, of Auburn, in the baby show.
Kayla's uncle, Nick Horner, enjoyed watching the little children in the show.
“I like seeing the little kids coming and participating in stuff like this and seeing how cute they are,” said the 9-year-old from Auburn.
Thursday's festivities kicked off the second annual new Cayuga County Fair.
The fair had previously run for 25 years before being canceled in 2005 due to a change in the property's ownership.
The fair was revived last year. County Fair Director John Lester said that he wanted to start a new tradition.
The fair offers free parking, free admission and free entertainment for people who come to check out the county youths' agricultural, horticultural and grange projects as well as the displays of alpacas, sheep, goats. They can also watch 4-H events such as the horse and dog shows.
And of course the fair features carnival rides, this year supplied by Playland Amusements.
“We do it for the youth and everything ties in,” said Lester, manager of the Tractor Supply Co. in Auburn. “They work hard on their projects all year long and the fair's really an outing for them. They work hard, get judged, then they have fun with their families.”
This year the fair has added major corporate sponsors, civil groups, venders and a new stage.
“We are making it into a venue that people are going to remember and come back to year after year,” Lester said.
Howard Hoad brought his daughter, McKenzie, from Canandaigua to see what the fair had to offer.
“Usually I like to take my daughter around to see the animals, ride the rides and meet some different people,” Hoad said.
He has been a regular at county fairs since he was a child. Now he tours around New York to see different regions' fairs.
McKenzie's favorite part was looking at the animals. “They're nice and cuddly,” said the 9-year-old.
Fair organizers were hoping the weather would cooperate for the four-day run. They weren't appreciating the afternoon shower on Thursday. The National Weather Service forecasted showers and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday.
“Right now the contract we signed with Mother Nature is a little bit shaky,” Lester said with a reassuring chuckle.
About two hours before the fair officially opened Thursday raindrops had inundated Weedsport; but just as the fair was gearing up for the crowds, the sun made a swift return.
Sunny skies are expected for Saturday and Sunday with highs around 80 and 90 degrees, respectively.
Rick and Darlene Nila, of Auburn, brought their three children, Jenna, 5, Mary, 3, and Lily Rose, 14 months, to the fair Thursday.
“It's something we can do with the kids. It's a tradition,” said Darlene. “We missed it the year they didn't have it.”
“The whole idea behind this is the fun aspect and the memories,” Rick chimed in.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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