The Potter County Fair is a long tradition — 83 years — and there’s a good reason for it: it gives residents of the county a chance to share important skills we don’t take time to appreciate the rest of the year.
This Sunday marks the start of the fair, to be held at the Potter County Fairgrounds on Route 44 in Millport. The fair continues through Aug. 3.
The celebration of local agriculture kicks off Sunday morning with rabbit check-in at 9:30 a.m. in anticipation of the 11 a.m. rabbit show. Goat check-in starts at 11 a.m. At noon begins the swine check-in and the horse pull, followed at 1 p.m. by Kiddie Lane rides with half-price arm bands; rides close at 10 p.m.
Open ceremonies will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, followed by the Kiddie Parade at 5:30 p.m. Other activities are market animal weigh-in at 6 p.m. and music by the Shinglehouse Community Choir at 6:30 p.m.
On Monday, beef and dairy cattle check-in starts at 9 a.m. The market goat show is set for 10 a.m., to be followed by the dairy goat show. There will be music at 6 p.m.
Entry of 4-H exhibits will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, and exhibitors are submitting a wide-range of kitchen, gardening and craft projects.
Rides are 1 to 5 and 6 to 10 p.m. every day Monday through Saturday.
On Tuesday — Tri-County Rec Day — the exhibit buildings will open as soon as judging is complete. Both the swine show and dairy cattle check-in will begin at 9 a.m., and the horse show is also set for this day at a time to be announced.
At 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Grange program and awards will take place, followed by the Grange tureen dinner. Live music by Wasted Whiskey starts at 6 p.m., and the baked goods auction starts at 7 p.m.
Wednesday — Military Appreciation Day — offers a free sandwich and drink for those who present proof of military service at the main refreshment stand.
The beef show is at 9 a.m., the sheep show at 1 p.m., and senior citizen activities start at 10 a.m. Music by Freddy and the Jets begins at 6 p.m.
On Thursday, the dairy show begins at 9 a.m., followed by the horse show at a time to be announced. Music by Happy Days starts at 6 p.m.
Thursday is the day the fair queen will be crowned. Crowning begins at 8 p.m.
On Friday, the day kicks off with the junior dairy show at 9 a.m., followed by the horse show at a time to be announced. At 7 p.m., will be the start of both the 4-H/Future Farmers of America Junior Livestock Auction and live music by the Dave Shields Band.
On Saturday — the final day of festivities — the day kicks off at 12:30 p.m. with live music by Trigger Happy, followed by music by the Larry Lewicki Band at 6 p.m. Exhibits will be released at 5 p.m.
The fair will conclude with a firework display at 10 p.m.
Morgan Spinks of Oswayo Valley designed the 2019 fair button that will be available at this year’s event. The fair button contest is open to all Potter County students in grades seven through 12.
According to the Potter County Fair website, the first fair held in Potter County under incorporation took place in 1931 as a way to display students’ activities and encourage them. Early fairs were held in the Millport school building, on the porch of the hotel building and in the hotel’s barn.
It was then known as the Oswayo Valley Rural Community Fair until 1959, when it officially became the Potter County Fair.
