Things to do, places to eat, shows to see, places to stay in Madison County, NY      

Drivers and Spectators alike will thrill to one of the wildest and most popular shows at the Madison County Fair when the Demolition Derby and Rollover competition take to the track on Saturday, July 9th at 6pm.
These demolition derby drivers don’t do circles; these gladiators crash, smash, and battle each other down to the last vehicle standing. The winners of each heat (8-12 car battle), along with the winner of the consolation heat (a 2nd chance for any surviving vehicle that did not win in its original heat) are eligible to compete in the feature battle. The last vehicle running and moving in the feature heat will take home the championship trophy, cash, and qualify for the State Fair Demolition Derby.
Hang on to your seat; for the first time ever the Madison County Fair will introduce a new class (heat) for Mini-Vans and Trucks. All perspective drivers, please check out the rules and regulations in our premium booklet that can be found at www.madisoncountyfairny.com
The exciting Rollover contest is gaining popularity and is a true test of courage or craziness (judge for yourself). These drivers charge the ramps with no other purpose than to roll their car over. The driver able to roll his car over the most times takes home a trophy and cash.
Typically these events play to a sellout crowd, mark your calendar and arrive early to claim your seat for the wildest ride at the Fair.
For More Information on Events at 2011 Madison County Fair visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com or Friend us on Facebook “The Madison County Fair”

Matt Episcopo has enjoyed making people laugh since he was a small boy. He began to study magic seriously in 1989 and took his art to the next level under the mentorship of well-respected fellow magician Ron Zollweg of Utica. Now, the Morrisville resident is bringing that talent to the Madison County Fair for the first time ever.
Episcopo is a member of two of the most prestigious magic membership organizations in the world. For the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), Matt is a member of Ring 101 Utica. He is also a member of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) Assembly 14 in Syracuse.
He has won awards for magic such as The Walter Cummings Award and the Don Connelly Humanitarian Award. He is also one of only 200 magicians who attend the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the world, Fechter‟s Finger Flicking Frolic.
Episcopo is well-known for his love of comedy, and he always has a joke or funny story to share. His mission is to bring happiness to others and improve the world around him through laughter and smiles. “Magic is my stress relief from the situations I see on a day-to-day basis,” Episcopo said. “I love to see the smiles that my magic brings to people.”
Episcopo would know about stressful situations. The highly decorated Madison County Sheriff‟s Office captain, he has won many awards throughout his 20-year law enforcement career, including the Medal of Honor, Meritorious Service, Gallantry Star, Honorable Service, Sheriff‟s Award and numerous citations. He has also served on protection details for President Bill Clinton, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and the Dalai Lama.
Episcopo is a professional comedian and sleight-of-hand artist, using his talents to make him a favorite for corporate events of all kinds. He entertains close up, with the magic happening in the hands of the people he is entertaining and on stage with a customized show for every client. Performances include close-up, sleight-of-hand effects, stage shows, stand-up comedy, trade shows and Master of Ceremony or keynote addresses.
“My motto is „over-deliver,‟” Episcopo said.
For More Information on Events at 2011 Madison County Fair visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com

The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District welcomes all area farmers, friends and conservation enthusiasts to a complimentary luncheon in celebration of Endless Trails Farm, LLC, owned by David and Pam Williams for being awarded the prestigious 2011 Conservation Farm of the Year for Madison County.
This special day will take place Thursday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, which will highlight local grass-fed meat from Sunnybrook Farm, owned by Dan and Melissa Williams.
This 31st annual conservation award embodies the hard work, commitment and passion of the Williams family that founded the Endless Trails Farm in 2003 on the premise of turning the land back to an all-grass system, highlighting the farm’s interest in agri-tourism opportunities and in the words of Pam, “preserving a local treasure.”
The town of Brookfield farm encompasses 336 acres of certified organic land intertwined with woodlands, horse trails, hedgerows, ponds and riparian areas adjacent to Pleasant Brook and the Brookfield Trail System.
The grasslands are in hay production and a planned 30-paddock grazing system that feeds a 55-head cow/calf beef herd, 20 yearlings and 30 head of custom-grazed organic dairy heifers.
It is also home to a thriving agri-tourism venture featuring a six-bedroom guesthouse, accompanied by an enclosed 12-horse stall barn, outdoor event pavilion, wagon and sleigh rides with the caveat of eating beef directly from the farm.
Since 2003, the family has maintained a steady, long-term approach to implementing common-sense conservation practices that include a comprehensive nutrient management plan, a grazing management system, more than 30,000 feet of fence, 4,000 feet of waterline, spring developments, reinforced stream crossings, watering facilities, animal walkways, wetland and wildlife habitat enhancements and riparian buffers with more than 2,000 trees planted.
These measures have enhanced water quality throughout the property, with program funding and technical assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, the state Agricultural Environmental Management Program, the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition.
“In the beginning we joked about calling it the ‘Endless Work Farm’ but realize now how fruitful the journey has been to meet our longterm goals and create an enjoyable environment for ourselves, our customers and our community,” said Dave and Pam. “Receiving this award just enhances all the sweat equity put forth on behalf of protecting and conserving our local resources for future generations.”
To join us for the luncheon to honor the Williams family, call the Madison County SWCD office at (315) 824-9849 to secure your reservation.

As the cold winds blow and the snow blankets the New York countryside the Directors of the Madison County Fair are busy making plans for the 2011 Fair slated to take place July 7th-10th. Recently several Board Members attended the Annual New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention at the Riverside Convention Center in Rochester. There where over nine hundred individuals in attendance, representing forty six fairs.
The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA) are once again in the process of accepting applications for their annual scholarship program, which will award up to ten $1,000 scholarships in 2011.
These scholarship are available to students who are New York State residents, who currently are (or have previously been) active in a fair that is a member of the NYSAAF or the NYSSA and who plan to attend (or already attend) college in pursuit of a degree. The fair where you have been active or the NYSSA must endorse your application and will submit it for you. Madison County Fair President, Jeff Mayne, will gladly accept applications at the Beaver Den Diner in Brookfield or mail to: Madison County Fair, PO Box 114, 1968 Fairgrounds Rd., Brookfield, NY 13314. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 8th.
For further information on the scholarship program and application forms, please visit: http://www.nyfairs.org/scholarship.htm
Visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com

Planning is already underway for the 40th edition of Wheel Days in Brookfield at the Madison County Fairgrounds, but by all accounts the 39th edition will be well remembered.  A huge crowd took in the music, demolition derby and truck and tractor pulls this past weekend.  The classic car show was a huge success too with over 130 cars in the  “Just Cruise-In 2010”, an event that is held in conjunction with the Annual Wheel Days.  The first 70 vehicles that arrived received dash plaques and goodie bags for their efforts.  Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful sponsors, several cruisers won fantastic prizes during the hourly giveaways.  
The vehicles fortunate enough to accumulate the most votes were rewarded with trophies.  The Best of Show trophy winner was a 1931 Ford Model A owned by Kevin Newlands of Whitesboro.
First place in the Driver’s Choice division was awarded to a 1934 Chevy Coupe owned by Al & Joyce Tomasi of Lee Center; the second place winner was a 1931 Chevy Coupe owned by Ken & Carol Sheets of Barneveld. 
A 1948 Dodge owned by Don Johnson of Hubbardsville captured first place in the People’s choice division and second place was awarded to a 2004 Sprint Car owned by Ernie Snyder of Munnsville.
This year’s Sponsor Choice winner was a 1999 Ford F-350 owned by Scott Goodspeed of West Winfield.
The “Just Cruise-In” Pit Crew would like to thank all of our generous sponsors and participants for making this event possible, your time and efforts are truly appreciated.
For more photos and information about “Just Cruise-In” visit our new facebook page: Just Cruise-In or email: tanet8@yahoo.com