New Paltz, NY – Ulster County Legislative Chairman Kenneth Ronk, Jr. toured the Ulster County Fairgrounds with Gary Newkirk, the Fair Manager and representative of the Ulster County Agricultural Society, Inc. 

“The Ag Society does an outstanding job maintaining the fairgrounds for events all year, but they really shine when the County Fair rolls around,” said Ronk. 

Several of the upgrades Newkirk showed Ronk included a new floor in the first aid building, roof extensions on various buildings that will protect the public and displays from inclement weather and an overhead door for the 4-H milkshake service.  The Ag Society leases the property from Ulster County and Newkirk outlined future plans and discussed how they can work together to make our fairgrounds even more extraordinary. 

Dozens of workers could be seen mowing grass, painting signs and cleaning stalls.  “You can see they all take personal pride in making sure patrons of the fair will have a fun and safe experience,” observed Ronk. 

Newkirk estimated that the fair has about 50 thousand visitors each year and generates about $147 thousand in sales tax. Although there was some initial concern about the bridgework being done in New Paltz, Chairman Ronk confirmed that the temporary bridge will have two lanes, just as the existing bridge does so it shouldn’t create any additional delays.

Ronk recalled coming to the County fair as a child with his grandmother and seeing blue ribbons on crafts she made and remembers how proud he felt when she won a ribbon for something he helped her make.  “She loved country music and would let my brothers and I go on rides while she watched the bands,” Ronk recalled. “Then we would each pick our favorite food along the fairway.”

Ronk noted that some county fairs have become too commercial and lost sight of their roots.  He enjoys the midway food and rides but is pleased that the Ulster County fair has maintained the original purpose of an event celebrating agriculture.

“We have the best County Fair in the State,” said Ronk. “It is still a country fair where a person can show their prize sheep or a picture perfect tomato, a kid can catch a trout or win a gold fish and a guy can win a teddy bear for his girlfriend then buy her a world famous 4-H milkshake.” 

The Ulster County Fair is open from August 2 to August 7.  “So mark your calendar,” said Ronk, “and come to the County Fair!”   For more information go to http://ulstercountyfair.com/.