By KAREN BLOOM
It's an adventure for the entire family to enjoy - a celebration of a bygone era that is both entertaining and (yes) educational - taking place for two full weekends, beginning Friday, Oct. 10.The fair is 161-year old tradition that continues strongly into the 21st century. As a community event, some 500 volunteers set up and man the exhibits, booths and tents, helping out as well as exhibiting and demonstrating traditional crafts. Open to all, those who have a specific skill or agricultural product are encouraged to become involved. Thousands of exhibits are entered every year in "friendly competition." Blue ribbon categories include livestock, flowers and vegetables from farms and home gardens, culinary creations, needlework, hobbies, and a junior division for those 13 and younger.Nassau County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, along with the Agricultural Society of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the Friends for Long Island's Heritage work together in a government-private sector partnership to maintain this important Long Island tradition. "We are thrilled to host the Long Island Fair for two weekends this year to make the excitement available to as many people as possible," said County Parks Commissioner Doreen Banks. "The fabulous tradition that is the Long Island Fair is the only state recognized county fair for Queens, Nassau and Suffolk."The fair is unique among New York State fairs in that it is held in the historical ambiance of the 19th century. Its long history dates back to 1842, when it was founded as the Queens County Agricultural Fair. Soon after it became known as the Mineola Fair. It moved to Roosevelt Raceway in 1953 and to the newly-opened Old Bethpage Village Restoration in 1970. The event now is fittingly held on a re-creation of the original Mineola Fairgrounds, which is part of the 200-acre restoration village. Visitors will find old-fashioned fun for the modern age. There are craft demonstrations of such long-forgotten skills as wool spinning, broom making, timber framing, needlework, and leather craft. Adults can test their skill and strength at two-man crosscut sawing in a competition against other pairs for ribbons and prizes. Other contests include corn husking and children's races. At "Farmer for a Day," youngsters can visit an interactive farm and help the 19th century farmer gather crops for market. Children can also take part in pony rides and the charming Flying Horses Carousel, a replica of a 19th century folk art carousel. Three livestock barns feature a variety of farm animals, including sheep, goats, horses, and rabbits. The livestock demonstration ring will present the horse drawn carriages of the Paumanok Driving Club and the Miniature Horses of the Keystone Miniatures Club. These carriage horses will participate in competitions and their owners will demonstrate harnessing and driving. Truly stepping back in time, fairgoers will see Theodore Roosevelt in their midst-a popular visitor to the 19th century fair as governor-brought to life by impersonator James Foote. His Rough Riders will be re-created, performing demonstrations of riding and cavalry maneuvers. A fair would not be complete without entertainment, and visitors will find much to choose from. The giant entertainment tent is home to a "Punch and Judy" puppet show, singers, a magician and storyteller. New this year is Yankee Notions, an acoustic folk music duo performing both traditional and contemporary New England music.These two weekends of fair activity also includes the end of season playoff matches of the Old Time Base Ball Leagues, an Old Bethpage Village institution. Nine teams will compete in a showcase of vintage baseball as it was played in the latter half of the 1800s. The teams represent actual Long Island clubs from that period, playing in vintage uniforms. Fairgoers will be amazed at how these athletes field without gloves!"As soon as the leaves begin to fall, everyone starts to think about the Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage Village Restoration," said County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. "It was at last year's fair, when I explored every inch of it, that I began to appreciate the great Long Island traditions that Old Bethpage keeps alive, and what an asset this incredible living history jewel is to the county and residents of every age."
The 161st Long Island Fair
Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 16-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $10 adult; $5 seniors 60+, children 4-14. Admission includes access to the 19th century village, including Powell Farm. Round Swamp Rd. (one mile south of LIE exit 48), Old Bethpage. (516) 672-8400 or www.longislandfair.org.
Fair Event Schedule
Friday, Oct. 10 & 17/Thursday, Oct. 1610 a.m.-2 p.m. - Children's Races10 a.m. - Traditional Music10:30 a.m. - Great Wizard of the North11 a.m. - Puppet Show; Juggling Performance; Traditional Music11:30 a.m. - Great Wizard of the North12 p.m. - Puppet Show,; Traditional Music12:30 p.m. - Great Wizard of the North: Juggling Performance1 p.m. - Puppet Show: Traditional Music1:30 p.m. Great Wizard of the North2 p.m. - Juggling Performance3 p.m. - Great Wizard of the North3-4 p.m. - Children's RacesSaturday, Oct. 11 & 18/Sunday, Oct. 12 & 19/Monday, Oct. 1310:30 a.m. Great Wizard of the North10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-4 p.m. - Children's Races11 a.m. - Puppet Show; Brass Band Concert11:30 a.m. - Corn Husking Contest; Musical Entertainment12 p.m. - Old Bethpage Village Singing Society; Yankee Notions; Old Time Music; Juggling Performance12:30 p.m. - Great Wizard of the North; Crosscut Sawing Contest1 p.m., Oct. 11 - Official Ceremonies and Brass Band Concert1 p.m. - Puppet Show; Traditional Music; Brass Band Concert; Contra Dancing1:30 p.m. - Yankee Notions; Old Time Music2 p.m. - Juggling Performance; Musical Entertainment; Traditional Music; Crosscut Sawing Contest2:30 p.m. - Great Wizard of the North; Contra Dancing3 p.m. - Puppet Show; Traditional Music; Brass Band Concert3:30 p.m. - Old Bethpage Village Singing Society; Corn Husking Contest4 p.m. - Juggling Performance; Contra Dancing; Yankee Notions; Old Time MusicGrand Championship Baseball MatchesOct. 11, 12 p.m. - 1867 Rules MatchOct. 12, 11 a.m. - 1867 Rules MatchOct. 12, 2 p.m. - 1887 Rules PlayoffsOct. 13, 12 p.m. - 1867 Rules PlayoffsOct. 18, 12 p.m. - 1867 Rules PlayoffsOct. 19, 11 a.m. - 1867 Rules ChampionshipOct. 19, 2 p.m. - 1887 Rules Championship
