While I by no means consider myself an expert on the Chenango County Fair, I’ve spent an awful lot of time at the fairgrounds this week. After my fourth visit of the week (on day 2 of the fair), the thought crossed my mind that I might have some useful advice for others contemplating a visit to our annual agricultural exposition. So, brushing the fair dust from my shoes and removing the last traces of powdered sugar from my fingers, I sat down to compile what I feel is a comprehensive list of “do’s and don’ts” for those interested in seeing and experiencing all that our 162nd annual county fair has to offer. I hope they will prove useful to both seasoned fair-goers and “newbies,” alike.

First and foremost, I feel obliged to remind people to carefully consider their footwear options before stepping foot on the fairgrounds. While warm, humid weather may delude you into thinking that sandals or flip flops would be an appropriate choice for this outdoor venue, I would caution against either of those options. Unless you like the sensation of mud oozing between your toes, that is. I, for one, definitely do not.