The Daily Star, Oneonta, NY - otsego county news, delaware county news, oneonta news, oneonta sports

Local News

August 20, 2012

Delaware County Fair wraps up with concert and demolition derby

The 126th Delaware County Fair was deemed a success by many vendors, patrons and organizers.

The fair closed Saturday with a well-attended concert featuring Thomson Square and Aaron Kelly.

"There is a really big crowd here tonight," Delaware County Fair President Dan Hodges of Walton said Saturday. "The concert is going to be way cool. There is a light show you won't believe. They put on a really good show."

Thompson Square, the husband-and-wife duo who earned two Grammy nominations for "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," play a mix of country and rock. Aaron Kelly has been performing on various television shows since he was an 11-year-old finalist on "America's Most Talented Kids." He was also finalist on Season Nine of "American Idol" in 2010.

In addition to the concert, many fairgoers turned out to watch the demolition derby and the International Bull Riders.

"The demolition derby is always well attended, but this year we had something new," Hodges said. "We had 1,900 people there (for the bull riders). And that is not too shabby for one on a Friday afternoon. They put on a really good show. The crowd was roaring."

Several vendors said the Delaware County Fair was a successful week for sales.

"Business has been good," said Jason Fonda, who sells pocketbooks and accessories in his booth Purse Party. "It is always good in Walton. It was a little slow earlier in the week, but yesterday and today (Saturday) have been phenomenal. Those have been record-breaking days."

Val Stafford and her daughter Jill Stafford were shopping in the Soy Candles and Amish Furniture and Crafts booth Saturday.

"We come to the fair every year," Val Stafford of Oneonta said. "Usually we come once, but this time we came to the fair two days. I like to wander around and look at the things. I think we spent between $40 and $50. The food is expensive, but it is the fair."

There were 160 booths at the Delaware County Fair, including food vendors, retail vendors and nonprofit organizations. The vendors offered a variety of items for sale, from handmade folding lawn chairs to deep-fried Oreos.

"My wife and I go to other fairs in search of good vendors," fair board member Gary Tweedie said. "We have something for everyone. The good vendors don't call you because they are busy. We have to go out and look for them. We want to offer quality. We don't want a lot of the same stuff."

Many of the patrons who attended the fair look forward to the event. Some said they have attended the fair most of their lives, saying it is a time for socializing.

"I have come to the fair every year since I was born," Karen Sullivan of Walton said. "It gets more commercial every year. But you still get to see old friends from high school and relatives you never see, even though you live in the same town."

Text Only
Local News

Additional Content
Join the Debate
Helium
Additional Resources
CNHI News Service
Poll

Which is the most important issue?

Benghazi
The IRS
The Associated Press subpoena
     View Results