Albany Area Fair Season

The aroma of animal dung, fried food, rickety-looking rides and a plethora of jeans cut into shorts – yes sir, county fair season has arrived.

We all attend fairs for different reasons - the food, shows, rides or people-watching. My trips to the fair usually include a ride on the Ferris wheel, a belly full of fried oreos, an airbrushed shirt that I don’t need and giant stuffed animals.

My personal favorite fair attraction is a staple at the Schaghticoke Fair at the end of summer - the giant fried cheese stick. If you’re a fan fried food on sticks, and cheese, welcome to heaven. It’s exactly what it sounds like… Imagine a giant fried mozzarella stick (about double the size of a corndog) on a stick served with a healthy pour of tomato sauce. See ya in September, Schaghticoke!

The fair season officially kicks off tomorrow in Ballston Spa with the Saratoga County Fair.

Saratoga County Fair (7/17-7/22, 9a-12a, 162 Prospect St. - Ballston Spa, $10)

Greene County Youth Fair (7/19-7/22, 9a-9p, Angelo County Fairgrounds – Cairo, Free Admission)

Schoharie County Sunshine Fair (7/27-8/4, 11a-10p, South Grand St. – Cobleskill, $12)

Altamont Fair (8/14-8/19, 11a-10p, 129 Grand St. – Altamont, $15)

Washington County Fair (8/20-8/26, 10a-10p, 392 Old Schuylerville Road – Greenwich, $10)

Fonda Fair (8/28-9/3, 9a-11p, Montgomery County Fairgrounds Route 30A – Fonda, $10)

Columbia County Fair (8/29-9/3, 10a-11p, 142 Hudson Ave – Chatham, $10, $12 Sunday)

Schaghticoke Fair (8/29-9/3, 12p-10p, 69 Stillwater Bridge Road – Schaghticoke, $10, $5 opening day only)