NORTHAMPTON — The oldest ongoing fair in the country will return Labor Day weekend with a bevy of vendors and events that are both new and old.
According to Three County Fair President Thomas Smiarowski, the 207th fair, which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 this year, will have a notable ride return to the fold after some mechanical and supply chain issues prevented it from participating last year.
“Barring any unforeseen events, we’ve been told the Ferris Wheel is coming back this year,” Smiarowski said with jubilance in an interview with Reminder Publishing. “That’s something we’re really looking forward too.”
Per usual, the fair will feature a lot of staple events like the wee wee wee racing pigs and the car show, but Smiarowski said that the fair has expanded in other areas, including its musical palette.
There are some crowd favorites returning to perform like Moose & The High Tops and the Stomp Box Trio, but there are a few new acts as well, like Latin Caribbean artists Jose Gonzales and Banda Criolla and bluegrass specialists Poor Monroe with Eric Lee.
“I think one of the things we really aimed for this year was just trying to broaden the musical acts and the type of music that was available,” Smiarowski said.
As for food, Smiarowski said that every food vendor from last year is returning this year on top of a list of new vendors who are bringing their delectable treats to the weekend, including Sabrosa Venezuela, Dev’s Mac N’ Eats and a woodfire pizza vendor.
“We’re always looking to try and expand our food options,” Smiarowski said. “The traditional fair food is going to be there as always but we’re opening up different types of food and trying to be more aware of how people’s taste changes.”
When asked what he is looking forward to personally, Smiarowski named a number of different things, like the classic car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 31 and many of the traditional agricultural exhibits that wholly reflect the fair’s values.
“The root of the fair are those traditional exhibits, whether it be fruits and vegetables on display, quilts, baked goods and a wide array of livestock competitions,” Smiarowski said. “We always make a real strong effort to maintain those.”
Also returning this year is the “AMDC Wall of Death-America’s Original Extreme Motorcycle Thrill Show,” which Smiarowski said was a fan favorite.
“Everyone I talked to raved about it last year,” he said.
The fair will also feature an ice cream booth that will send all of its proceeds to the fair’s scholarship program, where six $500 scholarships are handed out to graduating high school seniors in the Western Massachusetts area each year.
“We have been very fortunate to do that for a number of years,” Smiarowski said.
Once again, the fair will be continuing their policy of free parking, and advanced online tickets are available prior to the start of the fair. Smiarowski said adults can save $3 if they pay for tickets online in advance. Readers can check out the prices by visiting the Three County Fair website: 3countyfair.com/p/tickets.
Similar to last year, Smiarowski said he expects a turnout of 35,000 to 40,000 people if the weather is nice every day.
“That will be our target goal again this year,” he said.
Readers can learn more about what is happening at this year’s fair by checking out the website: 3countyfair.com/p/the-fair/schedule.
