WEEDSPORT - The Cayuga County Fair will draw thousands to Route 31 in the town of Brutus this weekend, but business owners in the village don't expect much change in their district.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Alan Gilfus, of Port Byron, gets his ice cream through the window at DB's Drive-In Friday afternoon.
Alan Gilfus, of Port Byron, gets his ice cream through the window at DB's Drive-In Friday afternoon.
While merchants along the main stretch of Seneca Street said they see a few out-of-towners, some of their regular patrons may be missing this weekend.
“It doesn't hurt or help my business,” said Tom Tortorici of Peter's Pizza. “I might get a few people that aren't from the area, but a few my regulars might go eat at the fair.”
Tortorici, who took ownership of the pizzeria about a year ago, takes an ad out in the fair's program anyway. The scene is similar at ice cream parlor and diner DB's Drive-In, owner Paula Roberts said.
“It's kind of a balance,” she said, adding there are other events that draw in more new faces.
The annual Firemen's Field Days and K Rock Concert at the Speedway seem to bring a lot more buzz downtown.
“When did it open, yesterday?” Potter's Pub bartender Josie Springs said of the fair. “It was dead in here last night.”
She remained optimistic that some of the fair crowd might find their way downtown, though.
“We'll see tonight,” Springs said while picking out some tunes on the jukebox for a small group of people at the bar Friday afternoon.
Just up the street, Beverly Scarbrough was manning the counter at Canal Country Store under the watchful eye of Matilda, her 3-year-old poodle. After working years at Meadowbrook Golf Course, she opened the gift shop about three months ago.
“I've had some people in here from the county fair,” Scarbrough said, citing a woman she sold a candle to for her campsite nearby. “I don't really have much for people in that situation - yet.”
Across the street, Purple Monkey Antiques gets a few more browsers, as well.
“It's generally a positive impact,” said co-owner Bob Chilson.
Some think the fair packed more of an economic punch before its hiatus in 2005.
“It has a good impact, but it's not as busy as it used to be,” said Acacia Gibson of the Old Erie Restaurants.
The eatery gets a steady stream of clientele from referrals from hotels, which were booked about the same as the average weekend. Gas station attendants noticed a small increase in business.
The fair continues today at 9 a.m. and wraps up Sunday at 10 p.m.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Today at the Cayuga County Fair:
9 a.m. - Agriculture gates open, draft horse show
10 a.m. - Open sheep show
11 a.m. - Chicken barbecue, 4-H youth horse show
noon - Exhibit building and vendors all open, talent show
12:30 p.m. - North American classic six horse hitch
1 p.m. - Midway opens, alpaca performance show
2 p.m. - Johnson School of Irish Dance performance, 4-H sheep show
3 p.m. - Hay bale throwing
5 p.m. - Goat milking demonstration
6 p.m. - Beef show and youth showmanship
7 p.m. - Pedal tractor pull
7:30 p.m. - Ruby Shooz
performance, demolition derby
“It doesn't hurt or help my business,” said Tom Tortorici of Peter's Pizza. “I might get a few people that aren't from the area, but a few my regulars might go eat at the fair.”
Tortorici, who took ownership of the pizzeria about a year ago, takes an ad out in the fair's program anyway. The scene is similar at ice cream parlor and diner DB's Drive-In, owner Paula Roberts said.
“It's kind of a balance,” she said, adding there are other events that draw in more new faces.
The annual Firemen's Field Days and K Rock Concert at the Speedway seem to bring a lot more buzz downtown.
“When did it open, yesterday?” Potter's Pub bartender Josie Springs said of the fair. “It was dead in here last night.”
She remained optimistic that some of the fair crowd might find their way downtown, though.
“We'll see tonight,” Springs said while picking out some tunes on the jukebox for a small group of people at the bar Friday afternoon.
Just up the street, Beverly Scarbrough was manning the counter at Canal Country Store under the watchful eye of Matilda, her 3-year-old poodle. After working years at Meadowbrook Golf Course, she opened the gift shop about three months ago.
“I've had some people in here from the county fair,” Scarbrough said, citing a woman she sold a candle to for her campsite nearby. “I don't really have much for people in that situation - yet.”
Across the street, Purple Monkey Antiques gets a few more browsers, as well.
“It's generally a positive impact,” said co-owner Bob Chilson.
Some think the fair packed more of an economic punch before its hiatus in 2005.
“It has a good impact, but it's not as busy as it used to be,” said Acacia Gibson of the Old Erie Restaurants.
The eatery gets a steady stream of clientele from referrals from hotels, which were booked about the same as the average weekend. Gas station attendants noticed a small increase in business.
The fair continues today at 9 a.m. and wraps up Sunday at 10 p.m.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Today at the Cayuga County Fair:
9 a.m. - Agriculture gates open, draft horse show
10 a.m. - Open sheep show
11 a.m. - Chicken barbecue, 4-H youth horse show
noon - Exhibit building and vendors all open, talent show
12:30 p.m. - North American classic six horse hitch
1 p.m. - Midway opens, alpaca performance show
2 p.m. - Johnson School of Irish Dance performance, 4-H sheep show
3 p.m. - Hay bale throwing
5 p.m. - Goat milking demonstration
6 p.m. - Beef show and youth showmanship
7 p.m. - Pedal tractor pull
7:30 p.m. - Ruby Shooz
performance, demolition derby
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jane doe wrote on Jul 7, 2007 6:36 AM:
jane doe wrote on Jul 7, 2007 6:34 AM: