Act Locally: Putnam County Fairgoers Can Bid On Pollinator Garden

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Why care about bugs?

Eight out of 10 crop plants that produce all of our food and plant-based industrial products require pollination. The earth's oxygen cycle and water cycle depend on plants, and plants depend on pollinators to help them reproduce.

If that makes you want to start a pollinator garden, or even if you have wanted to but didn’t know where to begin, you'll want to go to the Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase on July 28.

The Putnam Pollinator Pathway will host a silent auction for a ready-to-plant pollinator habitat during the fair.

“Native flowering plants are not only beautiful, they provide unique habitat for New York’s pollinators,” said CCE Educator Jen Lerner.

The attractive habitat on display will include dozens of plants selected to grow in sun and others in shade. But you must be there to bid! Bidding will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Exhibit Building. The winning bidder must pick up the display after 3 p.m. Sunday.

In addition, Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to help visitors discover the beauty of native plants and their benefit to our pollinating friends. Pollinator favorites include flowering plants that have been hand-selected by Master Gardener volunteers to thrive in lower-Hudson Valley gardens.

The Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase is at Veterans Memorial Park, Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 28.

Classic cars, milkshakes, dog demonstrations, racing rubber ducks and pony rides — Whether it’s listening to local bands like 1/3 of Sophie, chowing down on fresh-grilled corn or jumping in a bounce house with cotton candy-streaked cheeks, there’s something for everyone at the fair.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program will be showcasing demonstrations, educational exhibits, projects, animal showmanship, face painting, crafts, 4-H milkshakes, lemonade, a puppet show and more. The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Master Gardener Volunteers will host an “Ask a Master Gardener Booth,” as well as staff educational displays. The Trailblazers 4-H Club will be on hand with Archery demonstrations for the public and the 4-H STEAM Teens will be doing a variety of STEAM demos including a SPHERO Robot Obstacle Course! The Tall Oaks 4-H Horse Club will show off their horsemanship skills all day Sunday.

In addition to the 4-H Showcase, there will be a variety of food trucks, fun inflatables, games for kids and craft vendors during both days of the event.

Bill Hammond is heading up the entertainment as the emcee for the weekend and bands Not Tuna, Dawgs Who Can Read, 1/3 of Sophie, The Kids in the Basement, North Star, The Society and the Guardian “ENCORE” will take the stage.

The NY Cruisers Car Show will take place on Saturday (rain date: Sunday) and Guardian Revival will showcase their Boots & Paws program on Sunday. The event culminates with the annual Duck Derby hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County.

Want to Adopt a Duck and take part in the Derby? Please visit the website.

Free parking and admission.