7 End of Summer Fairs and Festivals in New York State

The end of summer means time for one last fling with fun. One last chance to lose yourself to the joys of summer. It also means time for The Fair. Just a short drive from NYC families can find themselves in 4H country. State and county fairs boast agricultural exhibits where farm kids compete for the best rabbits, chickens, goats, pigs, cows, crafts and more. It's a wonderful view into a completely different type of childhood experience, not to mention a great big petting zoo. New York County Fairs have agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, live music, and much much more. It's really a great time for everyone and kids of all ages love it.

Here's a run-down of the end of summer fairs and festivals coming up in New York:

Dutchess County Fair
We love the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck which runs this year from August 25th - 30, 2009. If you have a smaller child you can avoid the carnival section which is enormous and probably very appealing to older kids and stick with the old fashioned farm stuff. Depending on which animals your kids like you can find yourself watching a calf be born, cheering on frisbee catching dogs, watching kids at the pony rodeo or just walking through the stables talking to young people who have brought their show animals. The animals are truly beautiful and very loved, last years cows were so big and impressive that our daughter was convinced they were elephants.

The performances are seriously cheesy but early in the day you can catch the talent shows with gems like kids singing and dancing competitions which I completely love. And the fair schedule is also scattered with other kid pleasers like puppet shows, clown acts and mad scientists. Rhinebeck is about a two hour drive from the city and you should expect some traffic as you enter the fair grounds and get a parking spot. Admission will run you $12 for adults, kids under 12 are free, but expect to shell out a small fortune in rides and food.

Find out how to get to the Dutchess County Fair via public transportation here.

Columbia County Fair
Another favorite, with loads of midway games and rides, 150 exhibits, blue ribbon livestock competitions, craft demonstrations, flower & garden exhibits, tractor pulls, demolition derby, and multiple stages, the Columbia County Fair is the real deal. Just two and a half hours north of NYC, in Chatham, NY, families will be able to experience a little bit of real farm country culture. You'll put in a full day of kiddie rides and animal ogling, but be sure to stop at the 4H booth for home made ice cream and milk shakes from the cows you were just petting in the dairy exhibits. Tickets are $10 for adults, except Sunday when they are $12. Kids under 12 are free. September 2 - September 7, 2009  

Schaghticoke Fair
The Schaghticoke (say that three times fast) Fair is the 3rd Oldest Fair in New York State and is a family fair with hands on participation at its exhibits. It's a bit further north, at the base of the Adirondacks, but will definitely be an experience that you and your family will remember. September 2 - September 7, Adults $10. Kids under 13 free.

New York State Fair
The NY State Fair is going on in Syracuse New York from nAugust 27h through September 7th. It's too far for a day trip, but if you are heading in that direction you might want to make a detour for the Big Kahuna. Now to Labor Day. TIckets are $10. Kids 12 and under are free.

Green Corn Festival
For a different type of agricultural experience, head to the Green Corn Festival at the Hudson Valley's Philipsburg Manor. Going to a State or County Fair may feel a little retro to NYC families, but at this working historic farm, kids will experience first hand, what life was like over 200 years ago in New York. The Green Corn Festival will explore the history and culture of the area's Native American residents. Kids and adults can enjoy folk tales, song, and storytelling, and a participatory presentation of traditional Native American dance, plus open-hearth cooking demonstrations, games, live music, and hands-on craft activities for children. September 5-7, 2009. $12 for adults, Children 5-17 are $6

New York Renaissance Faire
Step a little further back into history at the New York Renaissance Faire. What kid won't love the jousting, juggling, magicians, and other entertainment and shoppes filling 35 acres. August 1 to September 20. $20 for adults. Kids 5-12 are $10.

Queens County Fair
Want to find all the goodness of the County Fair right here in NYC? Look no further than the Queens County Farm Museum, NYC's own working farm. The Queens County Fair is a traditional county fair with blue ribbon competitions in livestock, produce, home crafts, arts and crafts, and more. Enjoy the Amazing Maize Maze, pie-eating and corn-husking contests, pig racing, make-your-own-scarecrow, hayrides, petting zoo, carnival rides, and midway.

The best part is you can enter blue ribbon competitions in Arts, Crafts, Vegetables, Baking, Canning, Floral Arrangements. And kids can enter for Junior Arts and Crafts. It's all the fun of the country farm life without ever having to get up to milk the cows. September 19 and 20. $7 for adults, 12 and under get in for $4.