Your guide to the Capital Region's best county fairs

Is there anything better than strolling a county fair on a hot day and stuffing your face with some ridiculous deep-fried treat or ginormous turkey leg? Well, yes, but this comes darn close to hog heaven.

In honor of the Saratoga County Fair kicking off the Capital Region’s fair season this Tuesday, we’ve put together a guide to the area’s best and biggest fairs.

Before you head out for some farm fun, here are some tips to get the most out of your time:

Check for discounts: Every fair offers discounted admission for seniors and active military. Nearly all of them have special admission days (usually weekdays) when prices are lower. Wednesday at the Columbia County Fair is just $5 (vs $15 for regular admission), and all active military and vets get in free for American Hero Day (Aug. 10) at the Schoharie fair—rides included! Be sure to buy tickets and Midway wrist bands in advance for the best prices, and consider a season pass if you plan to go a lot.

Make a list and check the map: This tip is especially useful if you have young kids in tow. Decide before you go which shows, rides and attractions you most want to see and check the schedule and map to plan out your day, otherwise you might be hoofing it across a packed fairground with a couple of cranky kids trying to make the magic show.

Pace yourself: There’s so much to see at every fair, it’s not possible to do everything. Bring plenty of water, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and wipes (to clean those inevitably messy hands). And know when to call it a day before someone has a total meltdown 🫠 

Saratoga County Fair: July 23-28, Saratoga County Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15; children 12 and under free; $30 ride band

Highlights: Comedy juggler Neils Duinker, BMX bicycle stunt group Dialed Action Sports, Wild West Show, and Saratoga’s Got Talent

Schoharie County Sunshine Fair: August 6-11, Cobleskill Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15-$22; children 3 and under free; admission includes unlimited access to all 25+ Midway rides

Highlights: Chubby Checker (yes, that one), Josh Turner, Immortal Wrestling, Demolition Derby, Zerbini Family Circus

Altamont Fair: Aug. 13-18, Altamont Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15; children 10 and under free; $27 ride bands

Highlights: Royal Hanneford Circus, Battle of Altamont: Pro Wrestling, demo derby, racing pigs & corgis, rodeo

Washington County Fair: Aug. 19-25, Washington County Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15; kids 13 and under free; hand-stamp days $25 (all the rides until closing)

Highlights: Demolition derby, rodeo, truck and tractor pulls, magician Jay Mattioli, hypnotist Benjamin Jackson, Ultimate Air Dogs, pig racing

Columbia County Fair: Aug. 28-Sept. 2, Columbia County Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15, children 12 and under free

Highlights: Bachelor Chris: The Dashing Escape Artist, Sammy Kershaw, Magic Ben, Master of the Chainsaw, Corrie J Mentalist Comedy Show, demolition derby, giant pumpkins, Columbia County’s Got Talent, duct tape fashion show

Fonda Fair: Aug. 28-Sept. 2, Fonda Fairgrounds

Tickets: $12; $2 for children 6-11, free under 6; $30 ride band

Highlights: Tractor and truck pulls, rodeo, demolition derby, 4×4 drag racing, fireworks show (Sat night only)

Schaghticoke Fair: Aug. 28-Sept. 2, Schaghticoke Fairgrounds

Tickets: $15, children under 13 free, $27 ride band (advance sale through Aug. 25)

Highlights: Flo Rida concert, Royal Hanneford Circus, K9 Dog Show, live stingray exhibit, demolition derby, Donny Elvis impersonator

And if you’re game for the drive…

The Great New York State Fair: Aug. 21-Sept. 2, NY State Fairgrounds, Syracuse

Tickets: $8, children under 12 and seniors 65+ free; ride bands $28 advance sale until Aug. 21, $35 weekdays, $45 weekends

Highlights: Chubby Checker, Sister Sledge, Sophie B. Hawkins, Blue Oyster Cult, Josh Ross, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, TLC, Megan Maroney, Big Boi, AJ McLean; 50-ride Midway; the 25-cent Milk Bar