Dutchess County Fair to return in 2021

photos by niki@hvny.info

Organizers of the Dutchess County Fair confirmed to HVNY on April 1, that, though they were awaiting official guidance from New York State, they were “hopeful that the fair will open in August of 2021.”

On May 17, New York State released official guidance, clearing the way for county fairs to reopen this summer:

County fairs and local festivals must ensure that the total number of attendees is limited so that six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals who are not members of the same party, unless all attendees present proof of full vaccination status. [ Source ]

Dutchess County Fair President and CEO Andy Imperati said, while they are expecting this year’s fair “to look different,” they are excited to bring a lot of the summertime staples back to the fair’s spot in Rhinebeck including the animals and animal-related competitions.

The 175th Dutchess County Fair will return August 24 – 29, 2021. [ Check the five things you need to know before going to the fair, in our weekly newsletter. ]

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Other events at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds include the Barn Star Spring Antiques May 29-30, Vintage Vibe Markets June 5-6, The Rhinebeck Crafts Festival June 26-27, the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival July 9-11, the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival September 11-12, New York Cider Festival on September 25-26, and the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival October 16-17, 2021.

Tickets for the 2021 NYS Sheep & Wool Festival will go on sale online at dutchessfair.com beginning June 15 at 10am. More info: https://www.dutchessfair.com/the-fairgrounds/all-events/

Last year’s Dutchess County Fair was cancelled on June 3, 2020 after “contact with county government agencies and the Health Department was sought and it became clear that cancellation was the most sensible choice for the fair to do its part to improve community health and safety,” organizers said in a press release at the time.

https://www.dutchessfair.com/

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