Rhinebeck | mywalkinmanhattan

I took some time off from walking in the City to walking around Upstate. I read that the Dutchess County Fair was the last week of August and I had not visited it since my first summer when I was attending the Culinary Institute of America in 1996. I wanted to see if it changed much in twenty years, and it hasn’t.

The parking lot was packed in the summer of 2023.

COVID really changed everything and the fair did not run in 2020. In 2021, I pulled a muscle in my back and could not go to the fair in 2021 and was really disappointed. In 2022, the fair seemed to be back in full swing and the crowds came cautiously back. In 2023, not only was the place packed, they added all sorts of new attractions and events to the fair making it one of the biggest ones that I have been to since returning the to fair in 2018.

When I returned in 2024, my best friend, Maricel came with me, who had not been at the fair since we went the summer of 1996 right before I left for my Internship in Hawaii.

Entering the Dutchess County Fairgrounds

From parking in the lot at the Dutchess County to the buildings that housed the animals and displays it looked to me that nothing changed in over twenty years with the exception of people taking pictures with their phones. Even then, I did not see that many phones out. The Fair was in its 173rd year and people were just having a good time with their families. It was a similar day when I went for the 174th year. The place was crowded with local families catching up with one another.

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY

https://www.dutchessfair.com/

Welcome to the Fair

From walking to the admission booths (it was $18.00 to get into the fairgrounds in 2022) to walking the paths not much had changed. When visiting the fairgrounds means almost a step back into time when things seemed so much slower. Being just outside Rhinebeck with its galleries and high-end restaurants it seems a world away.

The fair sign in 2023 welcomed me.

In 2023, my day started late as I had so many errands to run and work in the morning that I got off to a late start. I got to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds at 3:00pm and spent the rest of my afternoon exploring the Fair. It is so interesting to see how much has changed in the world but how little it really changes. In 2019, I had the whole day to spend at the fair and it really is a lot of fun. In 2023, I planned the whole day like D-Day wanting to take pictures of things I had seen in the past in Hyde Park and then at the fair.

The entrance to the Hyde Park Historical Society

In 2022, I stopped first at the Hyde Park Farmers Market and the now open Hyde Park Historical Society before arriving at the fair. I parked in the parking lot and then walked over to the museum first to see what is was all about. It is a great little museum. In 2023, I followed the same path and stopped at the Farmer’s Market, which is bigger this time of year, to see what was there and then walked over to the museum. I figured I had plenty of time.

The new Boy Scout and Girl Scout uniforms that were donated to the museum.

I got a chance to walk around the museum which is loaded with interesting artifacts and local antiques from people’s homes from the area. The exhibition was nicely mounted and takes only about an hour to tour.

The Hyde Park Historical Society at 4389 Albany Post Road

https://hydeparkhistoricalsociety1821.org/

https://m.facebook.com/people/Town-of-Hyde-Park-Historical-Society/100063805906875/

The Farmers Market in Hyde Park was closing down at the end of October so I got to see some of the items that the artists were creating for both Halloween and Christmas.

The sign welcoming you.

The Hyde Park NY Farmers Market is very popular when in season.

It was the end of the season so there was lots of apples, root vegetables, pumpkins and corn. There were lots of baked goods and jellies and preserves available for sale as well.

The Fino Farm at the Hyde Park Farmers Market

The Farmers Market in late October has so much to offer between the bakeries, cheese places, meat purveyors and fruit and vegetable farmers. There was a really nice selection of things to buy. What I also liked was that the artists came out and showed off their wares. There was of interesting things going into Halloween.

Interesting wood carvings at the Farmers Market

The selection of Arts & Crafts at the Farmers Market

The delicious baked goods at the Hyde Park Farmers Market

Delicious looking cookies at the Farmers Market

Tom’s Heritage Baked Goods & Jams at the Hyde Park Farmers Market

One of the baked items I was most impressed with when I came to the Farmers Market in 2023 was a Sausage and Cheddar Brioche by a baker named “Little Loaf” who came to the Farmers Market for the first time. Their baked goods while pricey were very impressive in creativity and quality.

The “Little Loaf” sign

The baked goods at “Little Loaf” with the delicious Cheddar and Sausage brioche.

The creative baked goods at “Little Loaf”

The indulgent Cheddar, Sausage Brioche with a Bechamel center. Yum!

There were a lot of people doing so many creative things at the Farmers Market that I might have to make a special trip up for it again. The crafts and baked items were really impressive and the prices are not over the top like a lot of the Farmers Markets in the other towns.

A cow is a cow at the end of the day. How to take care of it and milk it has changed over the time and the philosophy of animals and their care have advanced but the cow is still in the pen, fed hay and goes Moo! That goes the same with chickens, rabbits and goats. There is also the immense pride these children in the 4-H take in these animals that far extends taking a picture of them on an app and having them talk like a human.

Maricel and I arriving at the fair in 2024. She is just as picture happy as I was that day

(I credit Maricel Rincon on this picture)

Walking the Fair is interesting in that it is broken down into many different areas to explore but when you first walk in what is there but all the food carts and booths. I have never seen so much deep-fried food in my life, and I have been through the Feast of San Genaro dozens of times.

The crowded concessions area of the fair.

There were food trucks selling fried dough, funnel cakes, Twinkies, brownies and zeppole’s. There carts selling deep fried hot dogs, stuffed pizza and giant tacos. It is hardly for the Vegan customer, but you know what, it is fun every once in a while, to eat like this. I don’t do it every day.

The Midway of food vendors at the Dutchess County fair

Both in 2019,2022, 2023 and 2024, I got there in the early afternoon and was starved. I stopped at a food truck in the Midway named ‘Janeks’ and ordered their ‘Chef’s Hamburger Special-The Piggy Back Burger’. It is one of the best burgers ever!

The Janek’s Truck is always where I eat at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds

The special was two freshly made beef patties that were caramelized and cooked to perfection, topped with smoked bacon, pulled pork and freshly made cheddar on a home baked bun with a side of homemade pickles and cheese and potato pierogi that had been sautéed in butter and onions.

My FAVORITE item: The “Chef’s Special Burger”

It was on the pricey side but was the best $12.00 ($19.00 in 2023) I had ever spent. The flavors were so complex and so delicious on that burger that I thought the guy who made it was more of an artist than a cook. It blew away any pizza or fried dough I would have eaten. The combination of the Cheddar Cheese, Pulled Pork and Ham on top of the burger gave it so much extra flavor and added to its smokiness. I only eat this twice a year, at the Fair and then at the Sheep & Wool Festival when I return in October and look forward to it.

After eating this burger at Janeks Food Truck it is so perfect you will see God!

https://www.manta.com/c/mmf2bjn/janeks-fine-food-stores

This burger is so amazingly juicy and crisp from the caramelization and the pierogis are so delicious

The burger is so good!

The Janeks food truck is my only stop for lunch at the Dutchess County Fair

My first stop in the Fair was the Amusement section where all the kiddie rides, Ferris wheels, games of chance and thrill rides were located. In the early part of the day, the area was mildly busy but by the time I left and the lights came on the true ‘Wonderland’ came to life. The lights, the noise and all the screaming coming from the thrill rides brought the area to life. During the day though, it was little kids on the carousels, mini-rides and small track rides. To be a kid again at this Fair.

Dutchess County Fair Midway

Leaving the Amusement area, I ventured next to the historical area of the fair, the Century Museum Antique Village, where the Cider Mill, Sugar Home, the One Room Schoolhouse, the firemen’s tent, home of the Firefighting Museum of Dutchess County and the Historic Train Station were located. These recreations of old Dutch farming villages showed a way of life from the turn of the last century and beyond. It is amazing to see how we have progressed in education since then, but I think the times were different when I see the teacher in front of the board describing the lesson plan.

In 2024, the Dutchess County Firefighters Museum opened at the fairgrounds and is a testament to the fire fighters in Dutchess County who raised the funds for this and worked on the displays. The original tent displayed most of the items that we now see in the museum.

The temporary headquarters of the Firefighting Museum of Dutchess County in 2023

I had a very interesting tour of the Dutchess County Fire Museum (See review on VisitingaMuseum.com) that had been set up on a temporary basis at the fair awaiting a permanent home on the fairgrounds in 2023

The Dutchess County Temporary Fire Museum at the fairgrounds in 2023

The Pine Plains Ladder Truck on display in 2023

The retired firefighters that I talked to said that they have been trying to raise money for a museum, but it has been tough. The fairgrounds have now offered them a space the only problem being that it would be open only when the fairgrounds are open. When I talked with the guys in 2022, they explained that the fairgrounds are working with them to build a new home there. In 2023, it looks like it will become reality.

Dutchess County Firemen’s Museum

https://www.facebook.com/DutchessCountyFirefightingMuseum/

My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:

https://wordpress.com/post/visitingamuseum.com/3196

In 2024, the museum was completed and stocked with items from the new Dutchess County Historical Society that opened in Rhinebeck (another impressive museum). The gentlemen who ran the museum did a nice job mounting the displays and there is still much more work that will be done in the future.

The new Dutchess County Firefighters Museum at the fairgrounds

Bunker gear at the new Dutchess County Firefighting Museum

The ceremonial equipment for the parades

The hand held hose cart at the new museum

The old Ladder Trucks from the Pine Plains Fire Department

The hand held hose bed from the 1800’s

When I walked all these buildings that were created before electricity, computers and even modern light, I think there were less distractions, and you had no choice but to work. Those were the days of back-breaking work loads and things were done totally by hand. There was a care and quality to those items. It is interesting to see how these things were made and how the design has not changed but they have been electrified.

The school room at the School House Museum I have seen in many historic museums and have not much changed from their modern version except the furniture has gotten nicer and there is more light. The philosophy of learning the ‘ABC’s’ is still there and the black boards are still part of the routine. I still think it is the best way to learn.

The Schoolhouse Museum on the Dutchess County Fairgrounds

The School Room has not changed much over the years.

Inside the schoolroom has not changed much since today.

We still do the same thing today

The other building right next to the old schoolhouse is the Pleasant Valley Train Station that was also moved here and open when the fairgrounds are open. The one thing I have to say as an educator is that the set up as a schoolroom has not changed since this time period with the exception of modern electricity and convenances.

The Pleasant Valley Train Museum on the fairgrounds

The hand cart at the Train Museum

The train manager’s office in the museum.

The baggage room at the station

The display in the Waiting Room

The train routes through the Hudson River Valley

The pathway lead me to the Animal Barns and this is where the Fair had not changed. The families stood guard at their at the different pens washing and taking care of the pets. I never saw such pampering to pigs, cows, chickens, rabbits and goats. They were so well-groomed and well taken care of and their pens were so clean and if they weren’t the kids were right there to take care of it. There were ribbons for all the hard work these children put into it. The care and the pride these children have on animal husbandry is encouraging.

This well groomed cow in the Cow Pen is named “Oreo”.

I saw the cow grooming show when I was visiting the Cow Barn and I have never seen such clean cows before. They were washed, brushed and combed by their owners and it reminded me of similar judging at the Dog Shows that I see on TV. When they walked their cows along the path in the ring, there was such pride in the owners faces especially to the winners. I have to say that the ribbons were very impressive.

This lamb’s name is “Queen of Hearts” and she was for sale. She gave me the funniest look.

https://dutchesscounty4h.weebly.com/

The Llama Barn was interesting in that I usually find Llama to be friendlier but these animals really kept to themselves and stood in the corners of their pens. They seemed to want to socialize with one another and avoid the humans.

The Goat Barn was the exact opposite. I could not have met a friendlier animal with good social graces. They looked like they were so happy to see me. They all came running up to me as I stood by their pens. They are really are an observant animal. They just stare you down when you are looking at them and then they walk away.

These little guys were so happy when they were being fed.

The surprising part of the Pig Barn was that it wasn’t a pig pen. It was one of the cleanest parts of the Fair. Each of the stalls were really clean with only the smell of the pigs which probably surprised people coming up from the City. The only thing was some of these over-sized pigs didn’t fit into the pens and there was not much moving room for them. They really do oink a lot. Their owners sat outside the pens socializing and catching up with one another while their pigs slept. They closed the barn off for about an hour.

Mama pig with her piglets

My favorite part of the animal barns was the Comerford’s Petting Zoo that they had between the amusement areas and the barns. I never got into petting zoos even when I was a kid but got some feed from what looked like bubble gum machines and then the goats and sheep were putty in my hands. They were so friendly and let me pet their warm fur. I have never seen so many happy faces chasing after me. The sheep had such a nice feel to them with their soft furry backs and the goats which I thought might be aggressive could not have been friendlier.

Little piglets in the pen were well taken care of.

When you pet them they seem so grateful that you are scratching their backs. I ended up spending more time here than I planned feeding the animals and petting them. They seemed so happy that they got extra attention.

The Sheep were really friendly

In 2024, Maricel and I toured all the pens and looked at all the animals being groomed that day. The sheep had just been sheared and they had their coats and masks on to keep them warm. The cows had all been washed and were being bushed and the pigs were being corralled around their pens.

The Animal Building was so well landscaped at the fair and the pens were kept so clean

We visited the Goat pens as it was feeding time

This goat gave me the friendliest look as he thought he was going to get fed

The Sheep being sheared that afternoon giving us a surprised look

We visited the cows who were being washed and groomed

Visiting the cow pens in 2024

The Century Museum Village was used as the Horticultural Building, which reminded me of my many trips to the Philadelphia Flower Show, large self-contained displays of flowers, lawn decorations and furniture each with their own them. There was a lot of creativity to their displays with water sources, planted flowers and shrubs all over the place all colorfully designed. They also used some statuary to accent the plantings. It was a nice size building made even bigger with these creative gardens.

These temporary gardens are beautiful

Dutchess Fair Features

There was a lot of creativity at the gardens displays.

After visiting all the barns and historic recreations, it was off for a late lunch. In 2018, I headed back to the food trucks to decide between the cheese steaks, meatball sandwiches and fried desserts. I decided on a pulled pork sandwich with pickles and a Coke for lunch that was more than enough. The sweetness of the barbecue sauce with the roasted meat on a soft roll made a wonderful meal. The nice part was sitting under a tree on a picnic table to enjoy my lunch. On a nice day, there is nothing like it.

People enjoying the outdoor vendors in 2022

In 2019, I avoided all the fried desserts and got a traditional pretzel with mustard from a vendor from Pennsylvania. The was an expensive pretzel at $8.00 but it was well worth it. The thing was huge, freshly rolled and made and was still hot. With a little mustard there is nothing like it. The softness and butteries of the outside made every bite enjoyable.

In 2022, I through caution to the wind and ordered a Funnel Cake with loads of powdered sugar on top from Sugar Shakers Fair, a vendor out of Sarasota, Fl who were frying out the largest funnel cakes of the fair and what looked like the freshest ($8.00). It had been made ahead of time but still warm and still delicious. I loved pulling apart all the pieces and dipping it into the extra powdered sugar.

The funnel cakes at Sugar Shakers are really good but can be premade so watch their stock.

http://sugarshakers.com/

In 2023, after a big lunch and a milk shake I wanted something sweet and saw all this fried dough around the fair. I needed to have one and stopped by one stand near the amusements > it figured I found the one place that could not make fried dough correctly.

Debbie’s Funnel Cakes and Lemonade

I have to say one thing that the Lemonade was freshly squeezed and was amazing. It was so tart and sweet that it quenched my thirst on a hot day. It was amazing. The Fried Dough sat on the plate luke warm and flat. When I asked for another the man working the counter pointed to a very over-worked woman who did not look like she wanted to make me another and I saw a stack of premade fried dough and fried oreos. I knew it was the wrong stand. Next time I will go to the one closer to the midway.

The Lemonade was amazing but the Fried Dough looked like a deflated pancake. It was just okay.

My funnel cake looked good in 2024 but still needed about 40 more seconds in the fryer

In 2024, I gave Debbie’s another shot and both Maricel and I had Funnel Cakes. At $10.00 a pop, I thought these would be much better than the flat Fried Dough. The Funnel Cakes were good but not great and I did not appreciate the guy at the counter trying to sell me one that had been sitting for awhile. Two new ones were made and both of us bought and again it was okay and looked good but it was not cooked all the way through. I have to write this off for next year or find another vendor at the fair.

After lunch, walked through the rest of the barns looking at rabbits, chickens and taking another peek at the Goat Barn. They are really are a beautiful animal. After leaving the barns area, I walked down to watch the Equestrians perform. There is such a grace to jumping and the ladies did a great job. Some of them are so poised on their horses.

As the afternoon wore on, my last stop was the Gift tents where they were selling handmade arts and crafts. You should see the work of these knitters, quilters and wood carvers. Some of the baby blankets and clothes were so beautifully made and colorful that I wished I had someone to give it to as a gift.

My favorite Santa wood carvers at the fair

The wood carvers were getting ready for the holidays with Santa’s and snowmen. It never ceases to amaze me that we are in a perpetual state of Christmas no matter what time of year it is. The surrealist look of many of these Santa’s were done by the cut of wood that the artist had to work with when carving the piece. These men and women are very creative in their work and they will be back in October for the Craft’s Show.

I love picking out the Santa’s for my mom

Before I left for the evening, a saw a long line forming by the 4 H Exhibit Building and I found out they were selling giant homemade milkshakes with the milk and cream from the Dairy Barns. The sold these large Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry shakes for only $5.00! (In 2022, the 22 oz was $7.00 and the 16oz was $5.00. In 2024, they went to $8.00 for the large but the small was still $5.00. I still ordered the large). That was one line I did not mind being in.

The 4 H members preparing these popular milkshakes in Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry.

In 2018, I ordered this Vanilla shake where you really could taste the fresh ice cream which was loaded with several scoops. There is nothing like a fresh milkshake with real ice cream. It was the perfect way to cap off the evening. In 2019 and in 2022, I ordered the Strawberry milk shake and one is more than enough. All those scoops of fresh ice cream and sweet milk. It is heaven! You could even scoop up the fresh strawberries on the bottom of the cup. In 2023, it was back to vanilla.

The milkshake is one of the things I look forward to at the fair.

Yes it is worth the $7.00 price tag.

In 2024, I had to try the Strawberry Shake. Maricel made fun of me the whole time as I indulged in it. I love a good milk shake and these are such good quality with local milk and cream to make these delicious drinks.

The Strawberry shake was rich and creamy

The Strawberry milkshake was amazing!

Walking the Fair at twilight you really see it come to life with all the lights, screaming kids by the rides and hungry patrons at the food trucks. It is so funny to see these small kids gobble down cheese steaks and fried dough. They had some appetites! When you work on a farm and take care of the animals as I saw the fairgoers did they must burn off all the calories.

The amusement area in the late afternoon.

When I left at 7:30pm (I hate driving in the dark), the whole fair was coming to life with all the lights on and the shows winding down so that the 8:00pm concert could take place. The lines outside when I left were just as long as when I arrived at 2:00pm. I guess people were in for the show and for dinner.

The amusement area in the late afternoon.

It was a great day and I learned a few things about Animal Husbandry and landscaping. I just wondered why on the way home it took me twenty-two years to come back.

The amusement area in the late afternoon.

In 2024, Maricel and I decided to do an overnight in Poughkeepsie so that we could enjoy the fair late in the evening. I hate to drive at night and it is an over two hour trip home. I had never been to the fair after dark and it is an amazing place to experience in the evening I could not believe what a fantasyland it turns into at night.

The Midway in the late afternoon

The Midway in the late afternoon

Me kidding around at the fair

Maricel and I kidding around the Midway

(Credit to Maricel Rincon on this picture)

The Midway Gardens in the late afternoon

Maricel decided she wanted to go on the Ferris wheel and I thought that would be fun since I had not been on one since my best friend, Kris and I went on the Wonderwheel in Coney Island a few years earlier. We just wanted to wait until it got dark so we could experience it with the lights on. Waiting until dusk was a good idea because the whole fair came to life when the sun went down.

The ‘Itsy Bitsy’ Ferris Wheel at dusk

The Ferris Wheel as it got dark

Us in the Ferris Wheel as the ride started

My video of the ride on the Ferris Wheel:

IMG_9037 Download

(Join Maricel and I on our trip around the Ferris Wheel)

After the trip on the Ferris Wheel we walked the Midway and took the most spectacular pictures of the Midway and of the rest of the fair. This is the Dutchess County Fair at night:

The Midway at night

The Midway at night

The Midway at night

The Midway at night

The Midway at night

The Midway at 9:00pm that evening

The Midway at the end of the evening. People were still milling around.

We were both exhausted when we left the fair and were happy that we each had our own rooms. I barely made it into my room when I knocked out for over and hour waking up not knowing where I was at 11:30pm. I could not believe I just feel asleep that fast.

The Marriott Courtyard in Poughkeepsie, NY at 2641 Route 9 South was our headquarters for this tip

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pouch-courtyard-poughkeepsie/photos/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g48443-d93719-Reviews-Courtyard_Poughkeepsie-Poughkeepsie_New_York.html?m=19905

The lobby of the Marriott Courtyard in Poughkeepsie, NY

My bedroom at the hotel

The courtyard view from my room in the late summer

I have stayed at this hotel many times over the years and it had just gotten renovated. The room had the most fantastic king size bed that I just sunk into. I barely made it to the pillow I was so tired that evening between all the driving and running around before the fair.

The next day we were meeting a friend of Maricel’s for breakfast so we checked out of the hotel and headed to Eveready Diner in Hyde Park. Here was another place I had not been to in about twenty six years. The last time I ate here was with my mother and brother on Graduation Weekend from the Culinary Institute of America.

The Eveready Diner at 4184 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park, NY

https://www.facebook.com/p/Eveready-Diner-100063685712520/

The welcoming sign

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60801-d951342-Reviews-Eveready_Diner-Hyde_Park_New_York.html?m=19905

I have to say nothing has changed in this restaurant as the food and the service are still excellent and the decor looks very similar to what it was many years ago. It always looks retro.

The inside of Eveready Diner

I was starved that morning. While Maricel and her friend met for breakfast on the other side of the restaurant, I enjoyed the ‘Eveready Breakfast’ platter of three large pancakes, two scrambled eggs, two pieces of bacon and two sausage with hot tea and freshly squeezed orange juice. That was great orange juice (at $5.99 a glass it should have been).

My breakfast that morning

The ‘Eveready Breakfast’ platter is excellent

It was a nice relaxing breakfast and I got to just take my time while Maricel enjoyed her time with her friend. It was just a nice break from all the running around I had done that week as I prepare for college in three weeks. I have been cramming so much in that I am tired from everything. The fair and the overnight was a nice way of not rushing through things. I got a chance to catch my breath and just enjoy the fair. It was a nice afternoon and evening out.

The Dutchess County Fair is the last week of August and is well worth the trip up to Rhinebeck. It is a real wonderful experience and a great way to spend the day or two.

The Fair in 2025:

I had to wait for Hurricane Erin to pass by before coming up for the fair. It had been cold and damp for two days but the storm gave us much needed rain and a break with the heat. On Friday morning, the weather was sunny, cool and clear. The perfect day to drive up to Rhinebeck for the fair.

The Dutchess County Fair in 2025

I got up to the fairgrounds by 12:30pm and it was surprisingly not as busy as I thought it would be that afternoon. I got through the check points and in the fair in about ten minutes.

The entrance of the fair

The crowds were light in the Midway in the early afternoon

Passing through the food Pavilions on my way to the exhibitions

Instead of immediately eating, I decided to visit the exhibitions first. The crowds were lighter so I could walk through much quicker. I first went to the food tent to see what was to sample and what was on sale.

These amazing jellies by Dragonfly Jams and Jellies were terrific

Then I went through the Craft exhibits and then went through the 4-H exhibits with all the baked goods.

The award winning baked goods

The baked goods on display

An amazing assortment of cookies

The cookies and cakes looked so good

After I visited all the display exhibits it was about 2:00pm and it was time for lunch. The choices you have at the fair.

The decisions you have to make

The decision is always easy when Janek’s is at the fair. I need my Cheeseburger with pulled pork on top and the side of homemade pierogi. I know most people would call this an indulgence but I only eat it twice a year and when I do, I really enjoy it.

The line was surprisingly short and I was able to order quickly

The mascot greets you when you order

The company is celebrating their milestone

My favorite lunch at the fair, the Cheeseburger topped with pulled pork with the homemade pickle and homemade pierogi with sour cream

The best food at the fair

The taste of the burger is incredible

I just sat at the picnic tables, enjoying my lunch and people watching. It was quiet on an early Friday afternoon so I had plenty of room to spread out. It was perfect weather to eat outside.

After I finished lunch, I decided to visit the museums again. I started at the Duchess County Fire Museum. The museum was manned by retired firefighters swapping stories with other firefighters like myself.

The old hose beds from the 1800’s

Then it was off to the Train Depot Museum to look at the displays.

The depot was moved here when the building was decommissioned

Working along the lines

The old luggage room

The displays in the old waiting room

The train route through the Hudson River Valley

I then moved to the schoolhouse museum and always note to myself how nothing has really changed over the last 100 years.

The schoolroom of the mid-1800’s

Then I visited the Agricultural Museum and noticed some new displays they added to the museum.

The Century Village Museum & Collectors Association

The 1920’s picnic display outside the museum

The new Barber Shop display

The updated farm equipment display

The change in transportation on the farm

The equipment from the turn of the last century

I decided to take a different turn and explore the amusement rides area next. The rides were getting busy with younger patrons having fun being whipped and thrown around by the assorted rides.

The Ferris wheel dominates this section of the fair surrounded by smaller rides and lots of dessert stands.

The actors on stilts entertaining the crowds

Juggling and laughing with the crowds

They really captured the crowd

The performance was very engaging

I thought I had worked with these two at the Sinterklass Parade celebrations but they were so busy, I did not have time to ask. So I continued my walk around the amusements to see the rides in action.

The kiddie rides were busy in the afternoon

My fan favorite the Ferris Wheel

The rides that throw you around

The Colossus seemed to be the park favorite

I then moved on to the Petting Zoo. I was afraid that the animals were getting too much to eat but the goats and sheep had no problem eating from my hand.

The animals ran up to me waiting for food

The camels were just as eager as the goats and lambs and reached out for food

The moment I put the food in my hand they licked it away

Even the camel reached out to me

The next stop was the 4H pens to visit the cows, sheep and rabbits. It is really funny but some of the animals looked so happy to see us.

Our welcome to the cow pens

The cow pens

The cows looked really tired

I then visited the sheep pen and most of the sheep had just shown and had their coverings on.

The sheep had just been shaven

The sheep relaxing in their pens

The rabbits were the last pens I visited in the 4H booths

The 4H Building

I loved the sign

The fluffy rabbits were a big hit with the kids

After I had visited all the museum, exhibitions and paid my respects to all the animal pens, it was my favorite part of the fair, my annual milkshake at the 4H building. The line was forming and it was time to get in line.

My favorite line at the fair, the milkshake line

You can’t leave the fair without supporting the 4H and buying one of their milkshakes. It is the best $7.00 you will spend. They are so creamy and delicious.

Now this is a milkshake!

Now that I had my Janek’s and milkshake fix, I had to work all this food off before the two hour ride home. I couldn’t stay up this year and had another function the next day (all I did was run around this summer), so I toured the fairgrounds.

Walking the gardens by the 4H Building

The gardens in full bloom during the fair

The Butter Carving

Visiting the food vendors by the amusements

Somehow my appetite came back when I passed one of the Fried Dough vendors and saw someone pass by me with a fried dough with an apple topping. I had to have that.

Sugar Shakers will be my go to spot for future trips to the fairgrounds

The Fried Dough topped with butter and powered sugar and an apple pie topping

My new favorite dessert

The crowds got larger as the evening wore on

Now that I had another dessert in me I needed to walk around a bit more before I left the fairgrounds. I did another round the amusement area as the lights were coming on. There really is a magic to when the lights come on at a fair.