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

It may be snowing outside but the planning has already begun for the 2012 Madison County Fair in Brookfield.  Mark you calendars now to check out one of the oldest and longest running county fairs in America.

_The Directors of the Madison County Fair are busy making plans for the 2012 Fair slated to take place July12th-15th. Over the recent long holiday weekend five members of the Madison County Fair Board traveled to Rochester to attend the 124th Annual New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention At the convention it was announced that once again the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA) are in process of accepting applications for their annual scholarship program, which will award up to ten $1,000 scholarships in 2012.
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 13th.
For further information on the scholarship program and application forms, please visit

I'll be honest,we've slacked over the past week updating you with links about what is happening in the county.  A little vacation here, a little pile on the desk there and it is suddenly Friday.  So without further ado, here are some relevant links from around the interwebs this morning.Canal Fest Eventful Day in Chittenango (Oneida Daily Dispatch)  This event often gets lost as it is only two weeks after the annual Oz celebration, but this National Park recognized gem puts on a great event.

Cyclists Pedal Through Madison, Oneida Counties on Cycling the Erie Canal Tour (Oneida Daily Dispatch) Every year a group of bicyclists take a cross state tour along the Erie Canal. They passed through here yesterday. 

Madison County to Host CNY Firemen's Convention (Madison County Courier) This is a great opportunity for the Hamilton Area to show itself off.  There will be a lot of firemen in town this weekend and it should be a nice economic boost to the area.

Brookfield Speedway Drivers Take to the Track in Reunion (Madison County Courier) Another new event to the county fair was very well received.

Lorenzo Driving Competition in 35th Year (Madison County Courier) A fantastic event that allows us to stake our claim as Equine Alley.

Summer Cycling starts in Cazenovia (Cazenovia Republican) Share the roads with our bikers, the motorized ones and the leg powered ones too.

Last week saw the 172nd running of the Madison County Fair.  It was one of the biggest and best fairs in year.  You can check out a ton of pictures from the fair on their Facebook page. 

The Directors of the Madison County Fair would like to express their sincere gratitude to all of the volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors and patrons who assisted in making the 172nd edition of the Madison County Fair a tremendous success. Once again the Fair saw a gain in attendance with more than twenty thousand patrons passing through the gates.
The vital support of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, Madison County Courier, Madison County Tourism, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Youth Bureau and all of the County Offices that contributed to the success of the 2011 Fair is truly appreciated.
Yet again the Demo Derby proved to be a smashing success playing to a capacity crowd that sold out the grandstand in a little over an hour. The Truck Pull attracted a large number of participates that persevered into the early morning hours. After a hiatus of several years a number of cows, horses, goats, and sheep returned to the Fair to compete for prizes. The newly renovated horse arena was a big hit with the equine exhibitors and all of the livestock barns bustled with activity.
Plans have already begun for the 173rd edition that will take place on July 12-15, 2012. In the meantime preparations are underway for the 40th edition of Wheel Days that will take place Sept. 23-25 on Madison County Fairgrounds.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the Madison County Fair or any of the events held on the Fairgrounds is encouraged to contact a Fair Board member.
For a more information visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com
Friend us on facebook at “The Madison County Fair” or call (315) 899-5867

Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, cotton candy, the demolition derby. All things that make summertime county fairs great, right? Well, the folks at the Madison County Fair have been doing it right for over 170 years now and this year they have a lot of fun packed into 4 great days.

A short drive through the countryside can transport you to a place where $2 can purchase an entire day of exciting family entertainment. At the Madison County Fairgrounds in Brookfield, NY from July 7th-10th you can enjoy all the offerings of a traditional agricultural fair: animals, agricultural exhibits, midway, contests, pageants and shows.

Visit kangaroos, lemurs, leopards, tortoises, parrots and capuchin monkeys at the educational interactive show presented by the Two by Two Zoo. Enjoy a parade and then root for the firemen competing in a Push Ball Contest. Meet champion auto racers and listen to their stories at Brookfield Speedway Drivers Reunion. Experience the magic of an award-winning magician when Matt Episcopo takes the stage. Cheer on the CNY Garden Tractor Pullers as they go the distance. Dance to the beat of some of the numerous bands appearing on stage – My New Obsession Band, Nelson Brothers Band, Jason Wicks Band, Pulsate Classic Rock Band, and Virgil Cain One Man Band Performance. All of this and more for a mere $2 general admission fee (under age 5 free everyday; over age 60 free on July 8th).

For a few additional dollars, you can take a wild ride, enjoy some delicious fair cuisine, or take in one of the grandstand shows: truck pull, tractor pull, or King’s Smash’em Crash’em Demolition Derby & Rollover Contest. For a complete schedule of events visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com, or for more information call (315) 899-5867.

A short drive through the countryside can transport you to a place where $2 dollars can purchase an entire day of exciting family entertainment. At the Madison County Fairgrounds in Brookfield, NY from July 7th-10th you can enjoy all the offerings of a traditional agricultural fair; Animals, Agricultural Exhibits, Midway, Contest, Pageants, & Shows.
Come and experience the 172nd edition of the Madison County Fair for yourself. Visit kangaroos, lemurs, leopards, tortoises, parrots and capuchin monkeys at the educational interactive show presented by the Two by Two Zoo. Enjoy a Parade and then root for the Firemen competing in a Push Ball Contest. Meet Champion Auto Racers and listen to their stories at Brookfield Speedway Drivers Reunion. Experience the Magic of an award winning magician when Matt Episcopo takes the stage. Cheer on the CNY Garden Tractor Pullers as they go the distance. Dance to the beat of some of the numerous bands appearing on stage; My New Obsession Band, Nelson Brothers Band, Jason Wicks Band, Pulsate Classic Rock Band, and Virgil Cain One Man Band Performance. All of this and more for a mere $2 general admission fee (under age 5 free everyday/over age 60 free on July 8th).
For a few additional dollars you can take a wild ride, enjoy some delicious Fair cuisine, or take in one of the grandstand shows; Truck Pull, Tractor Pull, or King’s Smash’em Crash’em Demolition Derby & Rollover Contest.
For a complete schedule of events visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com or for more information call (315) 899-5867.

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

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