Ulster County Fair opens, delighting children and adults

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — Opening day at the Ulster County Fair on Tuesday was all about the cute factor and making it enjoyable for the kids who were visiting as well as those who were participating.

Adults were being pulled by the arm by children roaming the grounds as the gates opened at 4 p.m.

Sarah Belan, office manager for Dreamland Amusement, was shown every piece of historic farm equipment by a workmate’s three-year-old son, Giovanni.

“It has a hitch and it pulls,” said Giovani, who was in part being instructive and then repeating the answer after asking what to call the mobile milling processor smoke stack. “Exhaust pipe.”

Within the span of three minutes, Giovanni went to six large items and showed no sign his enthusiasm will be curbed.

The pace was much less frenetic for Saugerties Seekers 4-H group members Ella Maxwell, 14, and Eve Ruburg, 10, who were pleased to have their 11-year-old Oberhasli goat Callie snuggle contently.

“She likes attention,” Maxwell said. “She’ll come right up to you as soon as you come into their pen.”

Maxwell said having the responsibility in connection with the fair makes the event much more enjoyable than coming for a visit.

“Being here with animals, there is so much more to do,” she said. “You have a better understanding of what’s going on and it’s a better experience to see it from the inside.”

Eleven-year-old Ruby Mayer was taking part in the displays along the Climate Row section of the fair, and while enthusiastic about being part of the work being done with the Ulster County Climate Smart Committee, she was already doing reconnaissance for rides to go on when her summer camp comes to the fair later this week.

“I would like to do one to the rides, but I’m not sure which one because they’re all kind of fun,” she said.

Mayer, after thinking further on possible enjoyment aspects, noted some of the contradictory aspects of the fair that are fun to think about.

“I saw ‘fried avocado’ and thought they ruined the avocado,” she said.

Vendors such as Vincent Nelson, who has three food booths at the fair, are keenly aware that the culinary offerings must have a taste that fits the mood of the event and the trends of younger generations.

“My grandparents started in the outdoor amusement business. My parents did it … and my son is 13, and he’s getting ready to take over,” he said.

“There is nothing better than a kid at a fair,” he said. “It makes the whole thing worthwhile. …This isn’t a business to me. This is a lifestyle.”

Nelson said that the event is about children having fun and being ready to find a dish to accommodate most palates.

“I have a pizza stand that does garlic pickle pizza, which is a fan favorite,” he said. “I have a rotisserie roast beef stand, and I have a sausage and pepper stand which does french fries and loaded fries.”

Nelson said opening day at the Ulster County Fair is nice because it helps connect with the community.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re ready,” he said. “You want to make sure you’re beef’s cooked for the roast beef, the pizza’s out and … looks great, the windows look clean. So, when the customer walks through the gate, everything looks crisp, clean and ready.”

The Ulster County Fair at 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz, continues through Aug. 6. One-day general admission tickets are $20 at the gate and $18 online at https://ulstercountyfair.com/.

Opening day of Ulster County Fair in New Paltz, N.Y. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

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Ulster County Fair opens, delighting children and adults