The oddity that drips from carnival rides and games of chance spark curiosity in the self-proclaimed ordinary, but after a mature and purposeful tour, it appears the anomalies provide only one lead into solving the mystery of the Chenango County Fair.

What is the enigma that gives the fair a culture all its own, a culture that is so appealing to the masses?

According the people who appreciate it, it’s everything. It’s the kids, it’s adults, the games and the food; it’s the rides, slides, and animals too; it’s workers and displays; the volunteers and the cheers. The fair is all the colorful characters that come from us; the people are the spectrum that create the spotlight.

Carnival worker Daniel Youngs from Poland said he knows without a doubt what makes his job a wonderful experience. “The people,” said Daniel Youngs, who operates the water gun shooting range. “Just their faces – putting a smile on kids faces – it’s what we are here for, the amusement.”

The carnival worker’s gift of amusement and flair has come with years and miles of experience, learning the trade that has brought them through the in’s and out’s of America, an experience they say is treasured.