The Long Island Fair is one of America’s oldest agricultural festivals, a family-friendly festival offering a range of attractions, including exotic animals, reptile shows, pony and carnival rides, as well as traditional live music. The second and final weekend of the 171st annual Long Island Fair is Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29.
“The Long Island Fair is a local tradition and one of the truly special family events that takes place each year,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. “In our technology driven age, this event allows children and parents to connect with the sort of recreational activities that people enjoyed in an earlier and simpler time in America.”
Children can take part in fun-filled contests such as corn husking and potato sack races, while adults can test their skill and strength at two-person cross-cut sawing. The livestock barn includes sheep, goats, horses, rabbits and other animals, while the livestock demonstration ring will feature the beautiful horse-drawn carriages of the Paumanok Driving Club and the miniature horses of the Keystone Miniatures Club.
The Long Island Fair will also present a variety of historical period musicians, contra dancers, animal shows, mimes and other artists. There will be live musical performances by Shot Gun Wedding on Saturday, Sept. 28 and SixGun on Sunday, Sept. 29.
The fair is unique among New York State County Fairs in that it maintains much of the historical ambiance of the 19th century. The fair was founded in 1842 and became known as the Queens County Agricultural Fair, but soon after was called the Mineola Fair when it moved to a permanent location in Mineola in 1866. The fair moved to Roosevelt Raceway in 1953 and to the newly opened Old Bethpage Village Restoration in 1970, where it is held on a 12-acre re-creation of the original Mineola Fairgrounds.
Baseball fans can enjoy the end-of-season matches of Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s Old Time Baseball League, which recreates baseball as it was played in the latter half of the 19th century, with teams competing in authentic uniforms and playing under the names of Long Island clubs of that era.
Thousands of exhibits are entered every year with blue ribbon categories including livestock, flowers and vegetables from farms and home gardens, culinary, needlework, hobbies and a junior division for those 13 and younger. This year’s competitions will also include an “Advanced” category for new professionals, novices and students who are serious about their craft.
Entrance fees are $8 for children five to 12 years old (those under five are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters and $12 for adults. Sunday, Sept. 29 is “Dollar Day.” The Fair hours are as follows: Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th century American village set on more than 200 acres. Old Bethpage Village is located at 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage. For more information, please call (516) 572-8400.
For more information about the Long Island Fair, visit www.lifair.org. For more information about the Parks Department, please visit: www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks or call: (516) 572-0200.
