We’re getting late into summer. The light has begun to look autumnal. NFL teams are heading into their third preseason game, and those children possessed of a tragic disposition have begun to mourn the passing of summer. Despair not, however, as fair season still has some kicks left. The 179th Columbia County Fair, for example, kicks off on Wednesday, August 28 and runs through Monday, September 2, Labor Day. Then, all fun is over.
Part manure, part gas sports and all country/rock: You know what to expect from county fairs, and you love it. The Columbia is especially rich in the animal department. There are usually Jacob’s rams on display – the oldest breed of sheep in the world – and the Poultry Barn can sometimes show naturally pink chickens. Don’t miss the Painted Pony Rodeo, magic, local bands, acrobats, the Dairy Bar, Demolition Derby, Monster Truck Pull, a talent contest and much more. Headlining this year is triple-gold recording artist Frankie Ballard.
Daily hours are Wednesday from noon to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Daily admission costs $10, $15 on Sunday. Children 12 and under always get in free. On Thursday, seniors can enter for half-price until 4 p.m. and youth under 18 are free until 4 p.m.
Columbia County Fair
Wednesday-Sunday, Aug. 28-Sept. 2
$15/$10, Columbia County Agricultural Society , 182 Hudson Ave., Chatham
(518) 392-2121
https://www.columbiafair.com
Join the family! 
