Antique fair continues to grow at fairgrounds in Easton

as posted on Washington County LDC News and The Post Star

If you go:

Fair and Flea Market at the fairgrounds

Where: Washington County Fairgrounds, Old Schuylerville Road, Easton

When: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. April 30 and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. May 1

Details: Admission $2, children under 14 admitted free. For more information, call Mike Green, 331-5004

Other dates of interest at the fairgrounds:

– Farm Museum opens to the public: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 30-May 1.

– Farm Museum School House historical dedication presentation: 1 p.m. on May 7

– Washington County Fair: Aug. 22 – 28. 

EASTON — Mike Green runs the antique fair and flea market at the Washington County Fairgrounds twice a year. Each successive year has seen a gradual increase in both dealers and customers.
“It has been steadily rising. With the economy, the focus has shifted away from the antique shops and more to events and shows like this,” said Green, who took over the event about seven years ago from his uncle George.
The two-day fair has come a long way since its more modest beginnings in the mid-1990s.
“It started off really small with 30 or 40 dealers and now we’re up to about 200,” Green said.
“What’s also changed is with the advent of the Internet, people tend to know what to look for. They also know what everything is worth so the bargaining game is a little more difficult,” he added.
Last May, the fair drew an all-time high of 213 exhibitors and a record attendance of 5,000 people. Typically, the showcase in May garners more attention from a public searching for everything from furniture and glassware to tools and dozens of other specialties than does the August exhibition at the fairgrounds, Green said.
“We have so many different dealers and there is a lot of variety,” he said.
“We get dealers coming from Florida, from Idaho, from Canada. Most of them are local, but we have a little more of the traveling dealers for the spring show, because the week after our show there is one in Massachusetts,” he said.
“A lot of our dealers will come here and then go over and do that show.”
This year’s spring show takes place April 30 and May 1. Admission is $2 for adults. A special “early buyer” pass, which costs $10, provides serious buyers access to the grounds a day earlier, prior to the gates opening to the public. Dealers may register for the show up to April 28, Green said.

Farm Museum School House Wins National Award

The Perkins Hollow One Room School has received the distinguished honor of being placed on the National Schoolhouse Registry.  A public dedication of the historic marker and ceremony highlighting the school will take place at1:00 PM Saturday, May 7^th, 2011 at the schoolhouse located on the Washington County Fair Farm Museum complex, 392 Old Schuylerville Road in Greenwich, New York.

Through its National Schoolhouse Registry Program, the Country School Association of America (CSAA) recognizes school buildings that contribute to the appreciation and understanding of the country school experience and their unique architectural and historical heritage.  Markers are awarded to school buildings which are at least 50 years old, that have been preserved, restored, renovated or reconstructed to retain the integrity of their original design, and are well maintained.

The Perkins Hollow Schoolhouse is a preserved time capsule representing school buildings of rural New York during the last half of the 19^th century.  Built in 1853 on the Beaty farm near the Vermont border in the town of Salem the rustic structure with its wide board desks and seats served as the education facility for local children until it closed in 1910.   The schoolhouse with original furnishings, maps and teaching aids along with the woodshed and outhouses was donated and moved to the Farm Museum in 1977.  Once moved care was taken to preserve the original condition for future generations.  This is the second historic award for Perkins Hollow School as it received a Washington County Historic Preservation Award in 1984.   

On Saturday, May 7^th The Farm Museum will be open 10am-3pm join us for the marker dedication, a presentation of Perkins Hollow School history, visit the schoolhouse, check out school memorabilia, and learn about the Country School Association of America.  

The Washington County Fair Farm Museum and Perkins Hollow School offer a variety of school programs and field trips. For more information call 518-692-2464 or see the website www.washingtoncounty fair.com.

Washington County Fair Announces Giant Pumpkin Contest

GREENWICH, NY –    Do you possess a green thumb?  Have a competitive spirit?  Or just want to try growing something new in your garden.  The Washington County Fair is adding a Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest to this year’s agenda.

Jennifer DeMoy, Board of Director Member and Superintendent of Farm Produce, says “We are thrilled to add this to the farm produce exhibits that we currently have.  We believe that this event will create interest from spectators and media alike and add one more thing to our already expansive agricultural displays.” 

This event is sponsored by THE GARDEN BARN located in Fort Edward, NY.  There will be cash prizes for the largest pumpkins.

“The competition is restricted to residences of Washington County, NY”, said fair manager, Mark St. Jacques, “and with the fair dates being the end of August, we know that participants will need to germinate their pumpkins seeds early to make up for a shorter growing period.”
“We are expecting some really big pumpkins.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see some in excess of 400 or 500 pounds.”

To enter the Giant Pumpkin Contest or for more information contact the fair office at 518-692-2464.

The Washington County Fair runs August 22 thru August 28, 2011.  The fair has been a long standing local tradition for over a century.  Fairgoers can enjoy free entertainment and support the county’s agricultural heritage by visiting the many farm families that exhibit at the fair each year.