The 163rd Annual Chenango County Fair and Agricultural Exposition is less than a week away. Are you ready? If not, you’d better start gearing up. That’s what I’ve been doing all week. Because I believe it’s essential to be well and fully prepared for an event of this magnitude.

When I was growing up, Fair Week was all fun and games. I always looked forward to our annual trip to the Chenango County Fair. The animals, the rides, the games, and, of course, indulging in all manner of fair food – particularly cotton candy and fried dough ... I loved it all.

I still love all of those things. (Particularly the fried dough.) But when you spend as much time at the fairgrounds as I do during the course of the week, it’s important to mentally – and in some cases physically- prepare oneself for the experience.

Last year, I lived and breathed the Chenango County Fair. You’ll remember, Frank had just had an accident, and Jessica had just had her second bouncing baby boy. (Whose first birthday was earlier this week, by the way. Happy Birthday, Braden!) That left Tyler and I to shoulder most of the coverage on our own. This year, thankfully, we’re at full staff.