Fair week is upon us once again, and I thought it would be prudent to share what I consider “an oldie, but a goodie.”

For us here at The Evening Sun, this week is “all fair, all the time.” A couple of years ago, it crossed my mind that I could draw on the experience I have gained during all that quality time spent tromping around the fair grounds and offer some timely advice to others contemplating a trip to our county’s annual agricultural exposition. The result is a “fair”-ly comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts I feel will be helpful to both first-timers and veteran fair-goers alike.

Here, for your reading entertainment and fair-going edification, is my ridiculously practical yet slightly irreverent guide to the Chenango County Fair.

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.