The economy is not expected to dampen the enthusiasm for this weekend's Meredith Dairy Fest, a county official said. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the field on the Catskill Turnpike Road off of state Route 28. Admission is free, with $5 parking.
"The Dairy Fest signifies the start of fair and festival season, which we always look forward to," Delaware County Tourism Director Patty Cullen said.
With more people staying close to home because of the economy and rising gas prices, "hopefully residents and weekenders will be attending these events for some home-grown fun and local food," she said.
People are always asking what is new said John Hamilton, one of the founders of the event, which is a fundraiser for the Meridale Fire Department.
While there are some new things, the familiar mix of entertainment, exhibits, food and vendors is what people want, he said.
"It's really a family event," co-founder Robert Pelinsky said. There will be about 100 vendors selling food and a wide variety of other items, as well as animal and entertainment tents, rides and firemen's games. New this year is a mechanical bull ride.
The event opens Saturday with a cannon burst and the singing of the national anthem by Delhi High School senior Mary Hetterich, he said.
Delaware County Cornell Cooperative Extension educator Mariane Kiraly said her organization will be participating. It will feature locally produced Cowbella yogurt. There will be centennial exhibits, and a dairy buzzer board to test the knowledge of visitors.
"It's a great way to enjoy the dairy culture in a beautiful setting," she said. "It stresses the dairy industry and it's great influence on our region."
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Delhi Jazz Band
2 to 5 p.m.: Country Express
Tractor pulls all day.
Sunday
11 a.m.: Yancey Brown, gospel music
Noon to 1 p.m.: Blue Ribbon Cloggers
1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: puppet show by Delhi Alliance Church.
Tractor pulls start at 11 a.m.
Hayrides and kids' train rides start both days at 11 a.m. Firemen's games start at noon both days.
