N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 1 NEWSLETTER

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David Butler
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I hope everyone had a successful 2015 fair and I know you are all now in the planning process for the 2016 season.

1 NYSAAF NEWSLETTER N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 1 September 2015 New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Inc. From The President Greetings everyone: It does not seem possible that the 2015 fair season is over and cooler weather is fast approaching. I hope everyone had a successful 2015 fair and I know you are all now in the planning process for the 2016 season. I have heard all the past presidents comment on how fast their term as president goes by and I now see what they mean. Pat and I had the opportunity to visit several fairs this summer and we truly enjoyed our visits. I had hoped to get to many more fairs than I was able to and to those that I missed I truly apologize. New York is a much larger place than most of us imagine. It was great to see so many young people involved in all of our fairs exhibiting their animals and various other projects. Now that summer is over our Public Policy Committee under Director Harry Booth will be again reaching out to our elected officials to work on securing funding for fairs as well as making sure we continue to get our premium reimbursements. We will be continuing our alliance with Farm Bureau this important interaction with NY State officials. We will keep you posted on their progress through your district directors. I want to congratulate all of our Scholarship winners for 2015 and to thank the committee for all their work in the selection of this year s winners. I want to also thank the New York State Fair for again hosting County Fair Day at the Great New York State Fair. A group from the Florida State Fair attended as well as a representative from San Diego. The program provided a great opportunity to network together and was enjoyed by everyone that attended. The Executive Committee has traveled to Rochester for the annual convention planning meeting as convention is just a few months away and First Vice President Andy Imperati reports that the 2016 Convention Program is coming together very well. I hope you all have a great fall and if you have any questions please feel free to contact your District Director or one of the Officers. I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Bob Simpson, President The need for One Voice I am sure you all read or heard about Confederate Flags and/or Confederate Memorabilia at NY fairs this summer. It is unfortunate that something like this can develop a life of its own and go viral so quickly but that is a sign of the times. I received several extended telephone calls (over an hour each) from a reporter from the New York Times concerning this topic and while I was not quoted in his article much of his information came from our conversations. I am actually happy that he called me as his final article was nothing like what he intended to write in the beginning and I hope that was due to my providing him with good information. This topic all came about by one individual at one fair who made it her crusade to get these items banned from her fair and others in NY. The amount of grief that this one person caused for her fair was unbelievable and through the media it spilled over to many other fairs including the State Fair. This person was relentless in her effort to cause damage to her fair in any way she could for not doing as she wanted over this one issue. I found it interesting when Pat and I visited this particular fair we were walking Continued on Page 2 Ag Awareness Helps County Fair s Feed New York Once again the county Fairs have helped to Feed New York with a variety of projects featuring entertainment, re-purposing and education. If you traveled to the Fair s this year, here is a brief synopsis of what you might have seen. The Afton Fair took and old building near the entrance and gave it a facelift to house and exhibit of agricultural equipment and memorabilia for the public to see. In Altamont fairgoer s were challenged by a scavenger hunt. The Franklin County Fair introduced some one-on-one time with guests by providing guided tours of the livestock area. The Steuben County Fair also provided guided tours along with an explanation of animal production. While at the Trumansburg Fair soybeans, which is a large commodity to the region, were the focus of Ag Awareness. The Schaghticoke Fair is still on my list of must see s. I m sure they too will fill the bill when it comes to our Ag Awareness. Each exhibit provides a different perspective about the Fair and how it presents the final product. They bring a great awareness of how the growers, farmer, processors and retail establishments help to FEED NEW YORK! Many thanks have to go to the committee members for all their help to visit some of the Fair s this year. See you all in January at the Convention! Keep up the great work in helping us all FEED NEW YORK! Russell L. Marquart, CFE Ag Awareness Project Coordinator From the Treasurer: 2016 NYSAAF fair dues notices will be arriving in the fair offices in mid- October. Fairs are asked to send their dues checks by December 7. Joan Rowland

N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 2 One Voice... from Page 1 around and a group of young adults passed by us and said we have to get over to that place selling the confederate stuff before it is all gone.

My point is that with all of the electronic devices around and the advent of all the social media sites around it is very important that each fair has an information officer and a designated spokes

2 N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 2 One Voice... from Page 1 around and a group of young adults passed by us and said we have to get over to that place selling the confederate stuff before it is all gone. I believe her effort to get things banned caused their sales to skyrocket. My point is that with all of the electronic devices around and the advent of all the social media sites around it is very important that each fair has an information officer and a designated spokes person so that your fair speaks with one voice. Our message needs to be consistent or they will tear us apart in the media. It is a whole new world out there and information good or bad is moving faster than we can imagine. We all work hard to develop a great relationship with the media and project our fair in a positive way. We never know when we might have to go in to damage control mode because of something someone posts on line about us so we need to be ready. Bob Simpson, President IAFE Zone 1 Meeting The IAFE Zone 1 Meeting was held in Buffalo, NY on May The event was hosted by the Erie County Fair with Jessica Underberg CFE as Zone 1 director. NY Delegates at IAFE Zone Meeting Buffalo, NY From the Executive Secretary: I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring as your NYSAAF Executive Secretary sometime in It has been an honor and privilege to have held this position and I feel good about all we have accomplished and all the great things to come in the future. I hope to continue to visit your fairs and see all the friends I have made over the years. I am including information for candidates interested in the position of Executive Secretary. If you have any questions, please let me know. NYSAAF is accepting resumes for a candidate for Executive Secretary of the NYSAAF. The appointed individual will work with the Executive Secretary for a smooth transition. Individual must live in New York State and be affiliated with a New York State Fair. Fair experience is a must. This individual should have communication and administrative skills to oversee the office operation and is responsible to the NYSAAF executive committee and is to report and receive instruction from the President of the Association on all matters. If someone from your fair is interested in being considered for this position, please resume to carousels4@aol.com. For a brief description of the duties of the Executive Secretary, contact Norma Hamilton at carousels4@aol.com Deadline for applications is November 1, Dutchess County Fair Announces Concession and Vendor Business Transfer Policy Rhinebeck, NY - The Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society, Inc, home of the Dutchess County Fair, has recognized the contribution their concessions and vendors make to the success of the Dutchess County Fair and passed a resolution creating the Concession and Vendor Business Transfer Policy. They recognize that concessions are not traditional brick and mortar businesses and in transitioning their business to new owners, the location of their operation at a Fair is key to the value of their operation. The DCAS policy states that the prospective owner must fill out a DCAS Fair application, including references and submit this prior to taking ownership. After the references are checked and the prospect is approved, DCAS will offer the location to the new owner for 1 year, with the understanding that product quality remains at or above the existing standard and income produced from the booth also remains at or above the existing level. The benefits of the policy are across the board for all involved. Concessionaires are guaranteed a route with their equipment, adding value to the sale of their business; a route with the equipment purchase gives buyers a stronger business plan when approaching a lender. Finally, the Fairgrounds retains control over their concession operations. Contact: Andy Imperati Deborah Aschmann Vicki Imperati, Admin. Operations Mgr. Dutchess County Fairgrounds ext. 23 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS International Association of Fairs & Expositions Annual Convention and Trade Show Paris Hotel, LasVegas, NV November 29 thru December 2, 2015 VP Andy Imperati,VP Gary Newkirk and President Bob Simpson take a tour of the Ag Center at the Erie County Fair during the IAFE Zone Meeting. For information & reservations call:

N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 3 Fair Reports - 2015 Oswego County Fair Dates: July 1-5 Attendance: 25,000 Gate Admission: Free Weather: Start of Fair rainy & cold.

00 Chester the Clown July 4 Fireworks BMXShow July 5, Karaoke Reported by: Robin Seaman, Secretary Nick Pelham, Secretary/Manager of the Steuben County Fair at theiraugust 18-23 Fair.

21 Reported by: Nick Pelham, Manager Display in memory of Gary Tweedie at the Delaware County Fair. Delaware County Fair Dates: Aug.

Weather: 2 hot days, I rain day, 3 great weather days Carnival: Reithoffer Paid Events 8/17 Derby, 4,596 people 8/18 Motorcycle Stunt, 1,320 8/19 NYTPA, 2,233 8/20 Big Rig and Truck

00, 4,608 8/1 Semi Truck Pull/Super Stock & Modified Tractor Pulls, $5.

Genevieve Wheeler and Treasurer, Donnette Wager in the office of the Steuben County Fair in Bath Steuben County Fair Dates: Aug. 18 Aug.

00, children free Weather: Rain 2 days, other days good Carnival: Coleman 8/18 Demolition Derby, paid, 1176 people 8/19 Truck Pull, paid, 1135 Broome County Fair treasurer, Rita

3 N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 3 Fair Reports Oswego County Fair Dates: July 1-5 Attendance: 25,000 Gate Admission: Free Weather: Start of Fair rainy & cold. Friday Sunday & Sunny Carnival: Hawkins Horses, Horses, Horses and Buffalo Barfield free daily July 2 & 4, Demo Derby $10.00 July 3, Truck Pulls July 4, Tractor Pulls $3.00 Chester the Clown July 4 Fireworks BMXShow July 5, Karaoke Reported by: Robin Seaman, Secretary Nick Pelham, Secretary/Manager of the Steuben County Fair at theiraugust Fair. 8/20 Demolition Derby, paid, /21 Rodeo, paid, /22 Concert, paid, /23 Demolition Derby, paid, Fair Dates: Aug. 16-Aug. 21 Reported by: Nick Pelham, Manager Display in memory of Gary Tweedie at the Delaware County Fair. Delaware County Fair Dates: Aug Attendance: 77,775, down 1% Gate Admission: Adult $8.00, children under 12 free, seniors $4 Thursday. Weather: 2 hot days, I rain day, 3 great weather days Carnival: Reithoffer Paid Events 8/17 Derby, 4,596 people 8/18 Motorcycle Stunt, 1,320 8/19 NYTPA, 2,233 8/20 Big Rig and Truck Pull, 1,828 8/21 Derby, 4,590 8/22 Concert Parmalee, 2, Fair Dates: Aug Reported by: Edward Rossley, President 7/31 Chelsea Cavanaugh, Kolby Oakley, $10.00, 4,608 8/1 Semi Truck Pull/Super Stock & Modified Tractor Pulls, $5.00, 14,056 8/2 Truck Pulls, free, 4, Fair Dates: July 26 July 31 Reported by: Rita Smith, Treasurer Ulster County Fair at night with Dreamland Amusements Margaret Kashorek, Genevieve Wheeler and Treasurer, Donnette Wager in the office of the Steuben County Fair in Bath Steuben County Fair Dates: Aug. 18 Aug. 23 Attendance: 39,352 Gate Admission: Adult $6.00, Seniors $3.00, children free Weather: Rain 2 days, other days good Carnival: Coleman 8/18 Demolition Derby, paid, 1176 people 8/19 Truck Pull, paid, 1135 Broome County Fair treasurer, Rita Smith in the fair office at Whitney Point. Broome County Fair Dates: July 28- Aug. 2 Attendance: 32,800, up 8.3% Gate Admission: adults $5.00, children $2.00, seniors $5.00 Weather: Only one hot humid day, rest of week sunny, breezy-great fair weather Carnival: Gillette Family Shows, gross up 5% 7/29 Demo Derby, $5.00, 5614 people 7/30 Out of Field Tractor Pull, free, 3922 Manager Gary Newkirk with daughter Tracy at the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz. Gary is also an NYSAAF Vice President. Ulster County Fair Dates: July 28-Aug. 2 Attendance: 50,046, up 2% Gate Admission: Adult $15 pop, children under 6 free, seniors free on Thursday until 4 Continued on Page 4

N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 4 Ulster Co. Fair Cont.

7 Reported by: Gary Newkirk, Fair Manager Overhead view of the Chautauqua County Fair Chautauqua County Fair Dates: July 27-Aug. 2 Attendance: 55,453, up 15% Gate Admission: Adult $10.

Amusements, up 2% 7/28 & 8/2 Demo Derby s, paid, 5,000 each 7/29 Legends Stunt Show, free, 1,000 7/30 Empire State Tractor Pull, free, 1,500 7/31 Motorcycle Aerial Show, free, 1,500 8/1 Bull Riding,

Grandstand for the sold out Josh Turner concert at the Boonevill Fair Boonville Fair Assoc. Dates: July 28-Aug. 2 Attendance: 46,389, up from 2014 Gate Admission: Adult $5.

4 N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 4 Ulster Co. Fair Cont. Weather: Hot Carnival: Dreamland Amusements, up 2% Free Entertainment 7/29 Swon Brothers 7/30 John Michael Montgomery 8/1 Caroline Kole 8/2 Willis Clan 2016 Fair Dates: Aug. 2- Aug. 7 Reported by: Gary Newkirk, Fair Manager Overhead view of the Chautauqua County Fair Chautauqua County Fair Dates: July 27-Aug. 2 Attendance: 55,453, up 15% Gate Admission: Adult $10.00, children $10.00, seniors $5.00 Parking: $5.00 Weather: Beginning of week hot, the rest was great. NO rain. Carnival: Bates Bros. Amusements, up 2% 7/28 & 8/2 Demo Derby s, paid, 5,000 each 7/29 Legends Stunt Show, free, 1,000 7/30 Empire State Tractor Pull, free, 1,500 7/31 Motorcycle Aerial Show, free, 1,500 8/1 Bull Riding, free, 1, Fair Dates: July Reported by: Deb Kuzma, Office Manager Mr. & Mrs. Wagoner at Boonville riding the carousel for their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Grandstand for the sold out Josh Turner concert at the Boonevill Fair Boonville Fair Assoc. Dates: July 28-Aug. 2 Attendance: 46,389, up from 2014 Gate Admission: Adult $5.00, children under 12 free, seniors $3.00 Weather: 1-1/2 day of rain, rest of week great Carnival: Coleman Bros. 7/30 Tractor Pull, paid, good attendance 7/31 Truck Pull, paid, good attendance 8/1 Concert- Josh Turner, sold out performance 2016 Fair Dates: July Reported by: Dianne Hendrickson, Fair Office Manager Gouverneur and St. Lawrence Fair Dates: Aug. 4-9 Attendance: 32,000, up 10% Gate Admission: Free Parking: $5.00 Weather: Good weather all week, no rain and not too hot. Carnival: Coleman Bros., up 7% 8/5 Firemens Parade, free, /7 Craig Campbell, paid, 1,800 8/9 Demo Derby, paid, 2, Fair Dates: Aug. 2-7 Reported by: Donald Peck, Fair Manager Otsego County Fair Association Inc. Dates: Aug. 4-9 Attendance: 33,789, up 1.1% Gate Admission: Adult $5.00, children $2.50, seniors $5.00 Parking: $2.00 Weather: small shower 1st day. Sunny & warm remainder Carnival: Gillette Shows 8/4 Parade/Fireworks, free, full grandstand 8/5 NYTPA Tractor Pull, paid 8/6 & 9, Demo Derby, paid 3,239 8/7 & 8 Truck Pulls, paid, 1, Fair Dates: Aug. 2-7 Reported by: Judy Harris, Manager Erie County Fair Theme: Its Our Fair Dates: August Attendance: 1,172,635 down by 4% Gate Admission: $10.00, youth and children free, seniors $7.00 Parking: $2.00 Aug. 12, $4.00 Aug. 13, $5.00 Aug Weather: 2 days rain, couple hot days, remaining days were good weather Carnival: Strates Shows, gross up by 3.57% August 12-3 Doors Down/Collective Soul, ticketed - 2,139 August 13 - Meghan Trainor ticketed-cancelled 4,454 *attendance listed is number of tickets sold prior to cancellation August 13 - Hotel California-The Original Eagles Tribute Band, FREE 3,500 August 14 - Poison d and Red White and Crue, FREE - 2,000 August 15 - Night Ranger, FREE - 3,500 August 16 - Little Big Town, ticketed-cancelled 3,678 *attendance listed is number of tickets sold prior to cancellation August 16 - David Nail, FREE - 3,500 August 17 - Alabama, ticketed - 3,594 August 18 - Blue Oyster Cult, FREE - 3,000 August 19 - The Spinners, FREE - 4,000 August 20 - Ultimate Night of Destruction, ticketed - 2,607 August 21, 22 - Truck & Tractor Pull, ticketed- 2,529 & 3,079 August 23 - Demolition Derby afternoon and evening, ticketed - 2,527 & 4,069 Free acts located throughout the grounds included Dueling Pirates High Dive Show, Street Beat, XPogo, Ex-Changing of the Guards, Mutts Gone Nuts, King BMX Stunt Show, Hilby-The Skinny German Juggle Boy, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, Backyard Circus & Puppet Parade, Jerry Ward, Jerry Valley, John Cassidy, Gary the Silent Clown, Little Hands on the Farm, Moo U Livestock Tours Fair Dates: August Reported by: Dennis Lang, CEO/Fair Manager This quilt made by long time Jefferson County Fair Director and exhibitor, Rena Fields, will be raffled off at the 2016 NYSAAF Convention.

Schaghticoke Fair Hannah Bush, Chemung County Fair Kaleb Booth, Washington County Fair Bridget Kackos, Grahamsville Little World s Fair Meagan Chittenden, Columbia County Fair New York State Fair

NYSAAF past president John Burr and Lewis County Fair President Doug Hanno at their 2015 Fair in Lowville.

She lived in Berne and Altamont most of her life, moving to Converse when her husband passed away. Bobbi managed the concessions for the Altamont Fair for a number of years.

5 N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page Scholarship Winners NYSAAF and NYSSA $1,000 scholarship winners: Christopher Sweeney, Niagara County Fair Kendall Gillette, NYS Showpeople George Lamb, Rensselaer County - Schaghticoke Fair Hannah Bush, Chemung County Fair Kaleb Booth, Washington County Fair Bridget Kackos, Grahamsville Little World s Fair Meagan Chittenden, Columbia County Fair New York State Fair Managers Association $ scholarship winner: Jeffrey Weeks II, Herkimer County Fair Congratulations to all our scholarship winners! NYSAAF past president John Burr and Lewis County Fair President Doug Hanno at their 2015 Fair in Lowville. Obituary Roberta Northrup Roberta Bobbi Northrup, 76, passed away on August 1 at her home in Converse, Texas. She lived in Berne and Altamont most of her life, moving to Converse when her husband passed away. Bobbi managed the concessions for the Altamont Fair for a number of years. She also attended many NYSAAF conventions with her husband, Reid. Reid was manager of the Altamont Fair and a past president of the NYSAAF. Bobbi is survived by her son, Tim and his wife Mary of Summerfield, Fla and daughter-in-law Mary Ann of Converse. Siblings, Shirley (Orville) Boehike, Ray (Pat) Orverbaugh and Pat (Dick) Rapp; 4 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Reid and sons, Terry and Ted. Private services were held. Steve Harter, Jeff Wise, Beth Shelmidine, Robby Simpson and President Bob Simpson at the Jefferson County Fair in Watertown. Bob is our 2015 NYSAAF President Dates to Remember 2015 October NYS Fair Managers Meeting, Vernon Downs Raceway & Casino October 3...NYSAAF Board of Directors Meeting, Vernon Downs November 29 - December 2...IAFE 125th Annual Convention & Trade Show December 1...December Newsletter Articles Due December 15...Pre-registration for NYSAAF Convention December Reservations for Convention Banquet Registration, banquet & breakfast tickets will increase after 12/15 December Deadline for hotel room reservations 2016 January NYSAAF 128th Annual Convention & Trade Show Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY Photo display at the Clinton County Fair Andrew Caiano enjoys the dairy calves at the Clinton County Fair in Morrisonville.

2015 Jefferson County Fair following the

Miss Altamont Fair, Sarah Reilly Treasurer

Tiffany, Treasurer; Rick Evans, Director;

office at Essex County Fair in Westport.

6 N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 6 Beautiful exhibits at the Herkimer County Fair Pam Shelmidine of Adams, NY was named Fair Manager of the 2015 Jefferson County Fair following the retirement of Martha Petrie. Miss Altamont Fair, Sarah Reilly Treasurer Gerry Elthorp, President Dick Elthorp and Secretary Kathy Ostrander at the 2015 Herkimer County Fair in Frankfort Chenango County Fair s carnival Coleman Brothers Shows Scott Christian, NYSAAF VP at the Essex County Fair. Chenango County Fair in Norwich Frank Tiffany, Treasurer; Rick Evans, Director; David Lawrence, Secretary and Paula Evans, volunteer. Michael French and Harold Reynolds in the office at Essex County Fair in Westport. Jeff Townsend, Manager of the Saratoga County Fair and John Hamilton of Schaghticoke at the July fair in Ballston Spa. Scott Kolassa of Kolassa Enterprises at the Saratoga County Fair

OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION Page 7 OF AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, INC. Norma W. Hamilton, Executive Secretary 67 Verbeck Ave. Schaghticoke, NY 12154 www.nyfairs.org N.Y.S. Assoc.

7 OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION Page 7 OF AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, INC. Norma W. Hamilton, Executive Secretary 67 Verbeck Ave. Schaghticoke, NY N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS B U S MEMBER I N E S S A S S O C I O N I AT Visit us on our website at: Thank you to all who contributed to this newsletter. If you missed this issue, send your fair reports and pictures for the December issue. Join us January 15-18, th NYSAAF Annual Convention Riverside Convention Center Rochester, NY Convention Program Call for room reservations: Radisson Riverside Hotel Hyatt Regency Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2016 Convention Check our Website for Details NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, INC. Request for Showcase Consideration Only booking agencies or individual acts who have been in good standing with NYSAAF for a minimum of two years will be considered for showcasing. Agency or act must have Association dues paid in full for year in which it showcases. [ ] Stage Act [ ] Strolling Act AGENCY OR ACT NAME: ADDRESS: CITY STATE ZIP CONTACT PERSON: PHONE: ( ) FAX: ( ) TYPE OF ACT: Return this form along with video or audio cassette or cd/dvd & promotional information including photo suitable for publication by OCTOBER 20 for consideration. Mail to: NYSAAF Norma W. Hamilton 67 Verbeck Avenue Schaghticoke, NY carousels4@aol.com

NYSAAF. Newsletter. April New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Inc. N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 1

NYSAAF. Newsletter. April New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Inc. N.Y.S. Assoc. Ag Fairs Page 1 NYSAAF Newsletter Page 1 April 2018 New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs, Inc. President s Message Welcome to my first newsletter submission as president of the NYSAAF. The main goal of these