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

We made the trip to the opening ceremonies in Brookfield yesterday and here is a sample of what you can expect to find when you head out to the great Madison County Fair this weekend.

Today marks the opening of the 170th Madison County Fair at the fairgrounds in Brookfield.  The fair runs through Sunday and this year's lineup of events is the best in years.  There will be live bands, amusement rides, a farmer's market, informational displays about the county and so much more the entire weekend.  A full schedule of events can be found right here.  Don't forget to take lots of pictures while there and enter them in our photo contest.

Janet Ambrose, Associate Professor of Textiles from Syracuse University, College of Art and Design, will be at the Madison County Fair on Friday and Saturday to lead us through the creation of her personal design work from the fiber animal to her final knitted and felted product.  Janet and her family raise Angora goats, Cashmere goats, and Alpacas on their farm in Jamesville, NY.   From their fiber she produces lace weight yarns and uses the computer and a computerized knitting machine to create her custom textile art.  

Janet’s presentations in the Focus on Fiber pavilion will begin with an introduction to the animals on the farm and to the spinning mill housed there, including its 2.5 ton industrial Stoll Knitting Machine.  Her recent work enables her to integrate her long-standing love of photography with more recently acquired skills in fiber animal husbandry and knitting machinery to create beautiful and functional textile art.  For a preview, see her new website at janbrose.com.

Would you like to win $100, $500? It’s easy. Come to the 170th Madison County Fair in July and follow the clues to find one of the four “170th Madison County Fair medallions” that will be hidden on the Madison County Fair Grounds in Brookfield.

The 170th Madison County Fair runs from Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12 in Brookfield, N.Y.  Several weeks before the fair, clues will appear in local papers, on WMCR Radio, and will also be put on the County Historian’s web site at htpp://www.madisoncountyhistorian.org. Fair goers will also receive a program when they enter the fairgrounds that will contain clues to the location of the medallions.

Each medallion will be inscribed with the appropriate date and the words “170th Madison County Fair.” The medallion for Thursday, July 9th, Friday, July 10 and Sunday, July 12 are worth $100 each. The medallion for Saturday, July 11 is worth $500. All medallions will remain on site during the FAIR until they are found.

County Historian Mary Messere noted that “this year’s fair has taken a page form the past, offering exhibits and entertainment that are more in line with days of old when people traveled by horse and wagon to enjoy a fun filled day with their friends and neighbors. There is a feeling of excitement in the air as fair organizers have come together each week to report on the progress that is being made and to put plans together for this historic anniversary.  The Madison County Fair is one of the oldest county fairs in the country!”

The fair will kick off with the Opening Day Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Fireman’s Pushball and a 5k run to benefit the Community Action mentoring program.

Friday, July 10th is Senior Citizen Day which promises to be an exciting one with the Madison County Ag Show in the Main Events Tent with a “Focus on Fiber Fair”, a farmer’s market, a small engine antique show, a youth horse show and at the Grandstand a “pony pull” also on tap at the fairgrounds.

Youth and History Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11 and the $500 medallion will be placed.  The Main Events Tent will be taken over by the youth groups of Madison County with hands on and interactive exhibits and shows on stage.  Saturday is also history Day and at 1 pm Fred Morsell portraying Frederick Douglass, orator and abolitionist, will be delivering the speech delivered by Dougass and unveiling a NYS Historic Marker.

In 1856, Frederick Douglass spoke at the Madison County Fair and drew a crowd of 12,000. “My goal for the 170th anniversary of the Madison County Fair is to match the 1856 attendance record!” said Messere. “With your help I know we can do it!”

  “The schedule for Saturday, July 11 offers something for everyone including the Focus on Fiber Fair, Small Antique Engine show, a Postal Cancellation, a Chicken Bar Barbecue, Demolition Derby and Fireworks!”
There will be entertainment every day – with  bands. Kids Bucks Show, Two by Two Zoo, Pickles the clown and more. So help Madison County make history! Mark your calendar for July 9 – 12 and “Come to the Fair!”

It is one of the oldest fairs in America still running.  The 170th edition of the Madison County Fair will really kick things up a notch with new exhibits, new entertainment and a treasure hunt for all to participate in.  Here is the tentative schedule released today:

170th Madison County Fair

(Tentative Schedule)
 
Thursday - July 9th
Opening Day Ceremony
In the Afternoon (Ribbon Cutting)
5 k run    6 – 6:30 pm
Run to benefit - Community Action mentoring program
Fireman’s Push Ball
Fiber Fair
One $100 treasure hunt medallion placed.

 

Friday -  July 10th
Ag Day – Senior Citizen Day
 Ag Show at the Events Tent
 Farmer’s market
Small Antique Engine show
Ag displays - Fiber Fair
Youth Horse Show - Ring..
Second $100 treasure hunt medallion placed

Saturday – July 11th
Youth and History Day
(Help recreate history day-get 12,000 people to the Fair to recreate the day of 1856)

$500 treasure hunt medallion placed
Small Antique Engine show
Fiber Fair
Events Tent –Youth Day
Historical Societies highlighted
Postal Cancellation
CHicken Bar B Q
Historic Marker for Frederick Douglas unveiled
Presentation by Frederick Douglas (Fred Morsell)
Delivering the speech he delivered to 12,000 people at the Madison County Fair in 1856
Demolition Derby 6:30 -&7:00pm
Fireworks

Sunday –July 12th
Events Tent – Antique Tractor Show
Tractor Pulls
Fiber Fair
Open Horse Show Sunday –Horse Ring Gate 3
One $100 treasure hunt Medallion placed

Special Madison County Exhibits all days!
Two by Two zoo all days - Bands all Days

It's official, its almost August. The weather so far this summer has for the most part been pretty desirable. I hope you've gotten a chance to attend some of the great events that have taken place in the area thus far. The last weekend in July is looking like its jam packed with family friendly events for you and yours. Here are a few that may interest you:

Munnsville - The Madison County Gravity Fest/The Stockbridge Valley Community Fair/ The Stockbridge Valley Balloon Rally: Whew...did you get all that in? One town, One Weekend and Three exciting events! The Stockbridge Valley Community Fair, located on the Stockbridge Valley Central School Athletic Fields offers fun for the entire family. Three Great days of fun start at 7pm on Friday with a parade in Munnsville followed by the opening of the community fair w/music by the Canastota Community Band. After the band at 9pm there will be Fireworks! The community fair will be featuring Craft show and Flea market, antique Tractors and Steam Engines, Live Music and Entertainment, Amusement Park Rides and concessions by Stock's Family Amusements, Games for the Kids and Much more. Special Events this year include Tractor Pulls on Sunday, Gladiola & Flower show, Fireman's Chicken BBQ Sunday Noon til, and Hot Air Balloon Rally Liftoff (weather permitting). A weekend of fun sponsored by the Stockbridge Valley Ruritan. There will also be a shuttle service to Gravity Fest V on East Hill Road in Munnsville. Not sure what the Gravity Fest is all about...well it can be summed up like this, Speed without Horsepower! Athletes will compete at speeds of over 70mph. It’s Exciting! It’s Extreme! Its Street Luge, Downhill Skateboarding and Gravity Bikes! Free admission, rain or shine. For more information on the events taking place in Munnsville, call (315)-495-6215 or visit, Madison County Gravity Fest or The Balloon Rally website.

 Earlville - The Earlville Opera House Presents: Chris Smither - Acoustic Blues. According to the Associated Press, "Smither is an American original, a product of the musical melting pot, and one of the absolute best singer/songwriters in the world". I researched Smither quite a bit and he has been in the business for many years. His reviews enticed me to learn more about him. I listened to a few of his songs and I'll admit it...I'm the newest Chris Smither fan! His music will speak to a variety of music fans no matter what your taste is. Take the opportunity to see this famed artist as he makes a stop in our area. If you'd like to hear for yourself, visit his myspace page . The show begins at 8pm on Friday the 25th at the EOH. Ticket prices range from $15-$25 and you can get them online up until 5pm the day of the show. For more information visit the EOH website.

Cazenovia - Think Globally, Shop Locally Friday: The shops of Cazenovia are at it again. This Friday, all of the galleries and many of the shops in Caz will be open till 8pm. Each will welcome patrons with refreshments for browsing and taking in the night. Become a part of a new Cazenovia tradition. Open to the Public. As always Children Welcome. Come enjoy this unique shopping experience so close by.

Don't you wish winter flew by as fast as summer does around here? If you haven't been keeping track...we're well into JULY! It has been a beautiful summer so far. I hope you have been taking advantage of all of the great, local events that have taken place. There are many more events to come before the summer comes to an end. The second weekend in July is sure to have something that will catch your eye. Lets see...

Brookfield - The 169th Annual Madison County Fair: I can hear you now saying to yourself, "where the heck is Brookfield"? :) Well I'm glad you asked...Thanks to the wonder of technology, I have placed a map below for your convenience: (aren't I crafty?) The Madison County Fair is one of the longest running County Fairs in the Country.

Take a short ride through the beautiful countryside this weekend. This fair offers all the elements of a traditional agricultural fair: animals, agricultural exhibits, contests, pageants and shows. What would a fair be without carnival rides, games and my favorite..food...you'll have all of this and more. Have I mentioned the best part yet? General admission is just $2 (under age 5 free everyday/over age 60 free on July 10th). So bring all of your family members and begin a tradition. The organizers of the Madison County Fair have developed a slogan that I just love, "Family entertainment that won't break the bank or empty your tank". With the way that prices are soaring today, I think we are all searching for something that won't break the bank or empty our tanks. Additional activities taking place include, King's Smash'em Crash'em Demolition Derby & Rollover Contest ($5.00), a Truck Pull ($4.00) and a Tractor Pull ($4.00). The Madison County Fair will take place the 10th-13th. For specific times and a detailed event schedule visit the Madison County Fair website or call 315-899-5836.

Cazenovia - Summertime with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Concert at Lorenzo: Here is your opportunity to see the famed Syracuse Symphony Orchestra for FREE. I couldn't think of a more beautiful place to watch the orchestra outdoors than on the lawn at Lorenzo State Historical Site. The concert begins at 8pm on Friday evening. Bring the whole family for this culturally rich performance. For more information, visit The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra website or call 315-655-3200.

Earlville - The Earlville Opera House Presents Quiet Riot - Storytelling Duo Extraordinaire: Friday at 11am. This event is part of a FREE family series that the EOH will host all summer. Quiet Riot is the perfect show to bring the kids to. The show is performed by two hilarious brothers that use the underlying message of conflict resolution to entertain and educate children and parents. To learn more about the duo or to get tickets visit the EOH website or call 315-691-3550.

So there you have it, a weekend packed with family oriented events. To view all of the events that are happening this weekend visit our website Madison County Tourism.