Yorktown Grange Fair Celebrates its Agricultural Heritage

Carnival rides, midway games, cotton candy, and lots of live entertainment – sure, you’ll find all of that at the Yorktown Grange Fair. But it’s the livestock and agricultural exhibits that make this annual country fair unique in all of Westchester. Celebrating its 90th year on September 4th thru 7th, the Yorktown Grange Fair remains true to its origin as a competition and showcase of local farmers’ livestock, poultry and produce.

Following are some of the signature special events and demonstrations of this year’s fair:

- Tractor parade from the YCCC building to the Grange fairgrounds (Saturday at noon)

- Draft horse pulling demonstration by Rock Hill Farm (Saturday at 12:30)

- Oxen pulling/driving demonstration by Rock Hill Farm (Saturday at 5:00)

- Horseback riding demonstrations by Dusty Stables (Saturday and Sunday)

- Wool spinning demonstrations by the Hanover Spinners/Knit-In group (Saturday and Sunday)

- Horse Costume Class (Sunday at 2:15)

- Parade of animals (Sunday at 3:30)

- Produce Auction: baskets of award winning produce are auctioned for charity (Sunday at 7:00pm)

As in years past, the Grange Fair will also play host to an impressive menagerie of farm animals, including: 5 breeds of goats; 3 breeds of sheep, 4 breeds of cows, draft horses, oxen, piglets and more than 100 ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, and roosters. And in keeping with tradition, all of these animals and their owners are competing for the coveted blue ribbons. Showmanship competition and judging times are scheduled as follows:

- Horses (Saturday at 2:30)

- Cows (Sunday at 11:00)

- Goats (Sunday at 1:45)

The animals are not the only ones competing for blue ribbons. There will also be competitions and exhibits of produce, flowers, baking and crafts, and entries are open to the general public – you do not have to be a farmer or even a Yorktown resident to enter. Entries for the arts and craft categories (art, photography, needlework, and Legos) can be submitted September 1st and 2nd. Baking and jelly/jam entries are due on the 3rd and 4th, and flowers and produce entries are due the 4th and 5th. All rules and entry forms are online at www.YorktownGrangeFair.org.

For more information, including schedules of all events and performances, go to www.YorktownGrangeFair.org.