Fair Features
The 6-day Dutchess County Fair will feature Agriculture, Horticulture, Turn-of-the-
Agriculture
Livestock Hill
- 12 barns house Dairy Cows, Beef Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits and more
- 3 Show Arenas with full daily schedules of judging
- Milking demonstrations, Wool Workroom, and Sheep Shearing
Salute to Agriculture Tent
Including the Dairy Birthing Center: allowing spectators to witness the live birth of a calf, and displays of award-winning Agricultural Crops and Produce.
AgriVenture Kids Activity Area
Presents a mock farm, letting 3 to 10 year-olds see how food is grown and sold. The kids can dig up potatoes from a sandbox, shear a wooden (and woolen) sheep, pick apples from a plywood tree, and milk “Dutchess” the cow. They will take their crop to a warehouse where they will sell it for funny money. That money will buy them a half-pint of milk or bag of carrot sticks. Showing them that food doesn’t “just appear on grocery shelves.”
2 Horse Show Rings
Featuring English and Western Equestrian Events. Throughout the week of the fair, the show rings host a variety of equine events featuring English and Western riders, and Open Driving show as well as horse pulls. On Sunday, featuring farriers from Dutchess County and surrounding areas, showcasing their blacksmithing skills.
Horticulture
The charm of the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is enhanced by some of the most beautiful gardens in the Hudson Valley. Annually, Fairgrounds gardeners enhance the character of the 147-acre fairgrounds with dozens of themed gardens. Waterfalls and ponds filled with koi and colorful water lilies add significantly to the Horticulture Center. When a respite is in order, relax in the quietude of the Memorial Garden.
Horticulture Building
Certainly, no visit to the fair would be complete without a walk through the Horticulture Building. Area landscapers and florists gather to showcase their talents in breathtaking garden displays. But, don’t take our word for it – you be the judge! In addition to the professional adjudication, visitors to the Horticulture Building will be able to cast their own votes in a special “People’s Choice Awards” competition.
Turn-of-the-Century Treasures
The Dutchess County Fair affords an opportunity to showcase not only agriculture but also all that is best about our past.
Century Museum Village
Turn-of-the-Century displays featuring “storytellers” in costume will take you back to a quieter, simpler time. Stroll passed a printer’s shop complete with a working 1900 printing press, marvel at a living room filled with Victorian furniture, view a rural kitchen and watch as repairs are done in a Model-T-era auto shop.
The Firefighters Museum
The Firefighter’s Museum is designed to resemble a historic firehouse where both permanent and rotating exhibits will be kept within the firehouse. The museum showcases the rich history of firefighting featuring displays and collections of incredible artifacts, tools, mementos, vehicles, and firefighting apparatus from throughout Dutchess County.
Working Blacksmith Shop & Gas Powered Engine Show
Witness how work was done and things were made long before the robots were introduced to the workplace. This walk down “memory lane” is sure to bring special pleasure to our seniors and absolute amazement to the youngsters in your group.
Bentley One-Room Schoolhouse
An authentic one-room schoolhouse that had been moved to the fairgrounds, is filled with memorabilia that reflects educational practices and schoolhouse activities in an era long past. If you are fortunate enough, you may visit at a time when one of the teachers who actually taught in school is your guide.
Pleasant Valley Historic Train Station
Relocated and restored, the Historic Pleasant Valley Train station allows the community the opportunity to view and learn about the industrial era; an integral part of the Hudson Valley’s historic story.
Judging Pavilion from Washington Hollow
The Victorian Judge’s Stand came from the old Dutchess County Fairgrounds Washington Hollow location on Route 44. In the early 1950s, the Judge’s Stand was dismantled and transported to a seasonal property in Salt Point, NY. There it sat for over 60 years until the property was sold in 2013. The new owners felt it was part of history and truly should belong once again to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. In need of restoration, the Victorian Judge’s Stand was once again dismantled, placed on a trailer, transported to the DCF location in Rhinebeck. It was then unloaded, rebuilt and restored piece by piece.
Working Sugar House and Cider Mill
Learn how maple syrup is made with sap gathered from the 100 maple trees that grace the fairgrounds. Let the children become a part of apple pressing at the New Cider Mill.
Northern Dutchess Rod & Gun Club Wildlife Exhibit
Dutchess County is home to some of nature’s most beautiful animals. In a very special corner of the fairgrounds protected by a canopy of leafy trees and evergreens, the wildlife exhibit provides a peaceful respite for animals and visitors, as well.
Arts & Crafts — Blue Ribbon Brownies & more
Looking for Aunt Helen’s prize-winning pickles? Did Cousin Sally remind you to be sure to see her first place watercolor? Building E is the place to find hundreds and hundreds of handmade quilts, hobbies, crafts and more. From the finest hand crocheting to needlepoint and crewel, you will find nothing but “labors of love” in Building E.
