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The Clinton County Fair
I'm just back home from my third day at the Clinton County Fair. With the weather cooperating, this event continues to be one of my favorite events of the entire year. To me the best thing about it is the people you see there. A simple stroll of the fairgrounds, the buildings or the midway will give you the opportunity to see friends, neighbors, relatives and, who knows, perhaps you will even run into that certain someone!
I can guarantee you that you will find something or someone of interest no matter what day you go to the fair. You want some examples? How about the daily specials at the Redford Diner (today it was roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes)? How about a tour of the buildings, getting free information about windmills, computer graphics, log homes, or a hundred other topics? How about stopping at the gazebo or one of the several stages for free musical entertainment?
How about a stop at McSweeney's? Tonight was the michigan-eating contest, which the Farrell brothers at McSweeney's have sponsored for the past several years. They donated $175 prize money to the three hungriest michigan eaters. Today returning four-time champion David Burdo of Plattsburgh won the $100 first prize by eating ten michigans in ten minutes. Next year I'm taking Burdo on, nose-to-nose, michigan-to-michigan, stomach-to-stomach, to try to dethrone this michigan-lover.
The rides at the midway are great, plenty of rides for every age, except perhaps for us senior citizens who get dizzy on a merry-go-round. Of course, you have the big shows at the grandstand each night and you have the Republicans and Democrats with their booths, offering pens, bumper stickers, buttons and handshakes to anyone willing to stop by.
And don't forget the food, ah, the food. I like to find some of the vendors and displays in the more out-of-the-way areas of the fairgrounds and this year I have found two winners. On opening night as I searched for something other than french fries and hamburgers, I saw a vendor way back near the grandstand, selling Crawdaddy. Well, that got my attention. I talked awhile with the young man from Syracuse who owns the business. He was selling Louisiana-flavored breaded crawfish, as well as fried macaroni and cheese. I purchased a $6 batch of crawdaddy and got more than I could eat at one sitting! Delicious! Different!
And today, on my way to the back parking lot, I heard some young ladies singing. I sauntered over and found the Lady Bugs, five talented, energetic sisters from Mississippi. Their free half-hour song-and-dance show is geared for children, but most adults would enjoy it as well. I got into the music fun and joined the act, doing the twist while Buttons the Clown videotaped my smooth moves. The Lady Bugs are making their first visit to the Clinton County Fair and I hope they return next year. If they do, I'd encourage the fair's board members to give the Lady Bugs a spot on the Gregory Supply stage next year, closer to the main thoroughfare.
There are three days left to head out to the Clinton County Fairgrounds, just outside of Plattsburgh, near Morrisonville. If you go, odds are that you will see me there. If you're trying to find me, check the food areas first. Before I left the grounds today, I bought my dinner, a bucket of wings from Owlyout. One of my traditions during the fair days is to hit Owlyout a few times.
Don't forget! The popular demolition derby is on Sunday, with two exciting shows. Organized for many years by Butch Hendrie, this show provides outstanding action all day and usually packs the grandstand like no other entertainment. You'll see me there on the stage videotaping the event. You can't be a full-fledged member of the North Country if you've never attended a demo derby.
This year's fair, thanks in part to the great weather so far, is truly "bigger and better than ever." Hope to see you there!
Comments
This was my first year in the demo, and I took 2nd place in the 5th heat. I had a blast. I just wanted to thank Butch for keeping all of us safe.
Posted by: joe stone | November 8, 2006 12:35 AM
Oh, how I miss the Clinton County fair. My first county fair ever was in Clinton County and I absolutely loved it. We showed up in a pick-up full of people, stayed all day, and had an blast. I have never found one quite like it and don't believe I ever will.
Posted by: Kathy | July 24, 2006 4:23 PM