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Pony rides, amusement park rides, barn animals, craft activities, football races, relay races and even a tea party are all happening today at the Tioga County Fair for family day. Jennie York, secretary of the fair, says that ‘family day is just a great day to let the kids enjoy the fair and learn about agriculture.” Children under 11 will be able to attend the fair for free until 5:00PM.
There will also be animal shows the rest of the week along with a full barn of horses that you have the opportunity to go and visit.
For a full listing of all of the events of the fair go to tiogacountyfair.com

We also visited with Melissa Bravo, who shared her enthusiasm for the fair and the joy the exhibitors have in showcasing their talents and produce.
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“On the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said “I need a caretaker” so GOD made a FARMER”.

We are blessed in Tioga County to have agriculture as a mainstay of our community. Nothing showcases that better than the exhibits at the Tioga County Fair. This quote can be found on a group exhibit in the Grange Building and it’s a perfect way to start off coverage of the winning entries at this year’s fair.

We wanted to talk to the volunteers and see them in action as the grange building begins its annual transformation. The volunteers range from children to retirees, all from the local community. They have dedicated this week, and countless days the rest of the year, to making this event possible. ‘God-Bless the 9th Day, when God made a Fair Volunteer’!

With their yellow exhibitor guide book in hand, residents of all ages began lining up at the various stations to enter their baked goods, canned goods, produce, and floral arrangements. Residents have the option to enter their home-grown or hand-made goods in a plethora of categories. Of course crop growers bring examples of their best-made hay or silage, their tallest field corn, and jars containing small grains that grow well here in Tioga County. But, the grange building is full of much, much, more than just traditional crops!

Department 13 is the fresh produce section. If you take pride in your garden or just have the biggest, craziest looking vegetable growing, stop by and check out the competition. With over 100 award eligible categories of fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts to choose from; and prizes ranging from $1 to $10.00, you’re sure to feel compelled to enter something of your own next year.

If you’re not a vegetable gardener but your flowerbeds are the envy of the county, why not enter a floral arrangement and show of your talent for floriculture? The volunteers for Department 17 take great pride in displaying your entries and the result is a kaleidoscope of every flower color imaginable. Residents can enter in over 70 categories of house plants, annuals, perennials, and our favorite, the artistic floral arrangements.

Not your thing? Are you by chance a pretty good photographer? Or are you known for your crocheting and embroidering? If so, take the time to walk through Departments 18 and 19. The latent talent of the folks who live here in Tioga County is absolutely phenomenal. Maybe it’s the air we breathe, the soil beneath our feet, or just the beauty of our neck of the woods. Whatever it is, it sure produces some talented artists.

Resident’s with entries in one of the 300+ prize award categories of needlecraft, crocheting, embroidery, knitting, quilting, sewing, and tatting brought their exhibits to the Fair on Saturday. Handcrafted works of leather, wood, metal, glass, stone, and other materials make up another 200+ prize award categories. The judges were busy evaluating all of these entries early Sunday morning. Including over 100+ prize awarded categories of photography and paintings.

What else are you good at? How about those baked goods? Or maybe you bottled up some honey or maple syrup this year? How many times have your guests asked you for that pickle recipe? Whatever your specialty, there’s a place for it in the Grange Building at the Tioga County Fair. Are you part of a group or organization that prompts a better understanding of agriculture, either through educational values or best management practices? Consider putting together a group exhibit in Department 20 next year and share your experience and pride.

Regardless of which department you enter, the entry fee structure is absolutely a steal! It’s a mix and match approach so you can co-mingle your entries across stations. Enter every single category and regardless of the number of entries, the fee is only $15.00. One or two entries start at $1.00 entry fee and 16-20 items is just $5.00.

Don’t see a category to fit your craft? Are you a poet, writer, videographer, or playwright with a passion for showcasing people living it up in Tioga County? Drop off your suggestion at the Fair Office. With a little commitment and a lot of volunteer spirit, you just might see a category that fits your craft at next year’s fair.

– Melissa Bravo