Yorktown Grange Fair Comes to Town

Yorktown's 86th annual Grange Fair is the only agricultural fair in Westchester County. It will kick off on September 9, and will be held until September 12.

It's purpose is to highlight the contribution of the local farmers and achievements of businesses. Since the Grange Fair began, people in the community have been demonstrating their homegrown or homemade goods, which include vegetables, flowers, needlework, baking, photography, livestock or poultry.

Lisa Fine, who is one of the organizers of the fair, has been involved for more than a decade. Each year, organizers try to bring something different and new. Fine said they want to bring something fresh, while keeping the traditions of the fair.

She said the event is a family affair.

"I like the fact that the fair symbolizes this is the end of the summer," she said. "This is kind of the last thing we do before school starts."

This year the fair will be bringing back racing pigs and will showcase tropical birds. A big part of having an agricultural fair is having live stock. Nine farms will exhibit animals including cows, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, baby lamas and more. 

Fine said the children who will be taking care of those animals over the course of the fair, will compete against each other for blue ribbons by showing their knowledge of the animals to the judges. 

In addition, the horse club will produce shows in the ring, featuring a variety of riding techniques and stunts, from barrel racing to parading.

When the fair first started, it was a way for farmers to showcase what they did, but now it is important for children, who nowadays don't grow up on farms, to see the animals up close and learn about where the milk or cheese comes from. 

"It's a wonderful length to bring that back to Westchester," Fine said. "It links us back to where we used to be."

Between 20,000 and 25,000 people are expected to visit the fair over the four days. They will have a chance to sample food from local chefs and restaurants. Chef and restaurateur Jonathan Pratt, owner of Peter Pratt's Inn in Yorktown Heights and Umami Café in Croton on Hudson will be one of the judges for the baking contest. There will also be a food demonstration by the Freighhouse Cafe, located in Mahopac. 

Stuarts Farm in Granite Springs and Meadows Farm in Yorktown Heights, will host booths and displays with their locally grown vegetables and flowers.

There will also be a pie eating, watermelon eating and nail driving contests, as well as carnival rides, variety show, circus and live music.

Live music at the fair will feature local bands including children's music with Annie & the Natural Wonder Band; Josh Max of The Maxes; The Sundown Band, The Thunder Road Band, Back to the Garden, and Beyond the Wall, a Pink Floyd tribute band.

The money raised from the fair will be put forward to next year's fair. Planning for next year, starts as soon as the fair is over, Fine said. 

To view the program, click here.

For more information on the Yorktown Grange Fair, click here.  

Hours and Admission:

Thursday, September 9
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: $2 - all ages

($25 wristband for rides)

Friday, September 10
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults, $3 for seniors, $3 for children under 12

(Rides open at 11 a.m.; $25 wristband for rides from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
$30 wristband from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

Saturday, September 11
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults, $3 for children under 12

(Rides open at 11; $30 wristband for rides from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.) 

Sunday, September 12
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults, $3 for children under 12

(Rides open at 11 a.m.; $30 wristband for rides)