Genesee County Fair

Above, Marty the art 'bot with co-leader Quinton Tarbell and ACES Club members.

Submitted photos.

By Renee Chapell, 4-H ACES Club member

Can robots make art? They can indeed. With individually controllable motors and a bunch of sensors, Marty the art 'bot can draw, walk, turn, dance, kick a ball, and react to his environment as programmed.

The 4H ACES Club focused on customizing Marty to change how he draws. Marty can be controlled remotely over Wi-Fi, but can also be programed in a variety of programming languages.

The team learned that with Marty, coding is as simple as clicking and dragging blocks. Marty makes learning about programming, electronics and mechanical engineering a fun, challenging and engaging process. Sure, there are a ton of other robots made for kids, but Marty is astonishingly special!

Come learn about building robots and meet Marty, the creative art robot debuting at 4H Genesee County Fair. Stop by and see him, Marty would love to meet you!

Marty will doing a live demo on Saturday in the Kennedy Building, following the talent show. We hope to see you at the fair!

Below: Marty the Art 'bot.

Bottom photo: Marty the art 'bot and ACES Club Team – Luke Kozak, Shane Coast, Alexandria Tarbell with Marty, Gabrielle Crandall and Colton Tarbell.

THURSDAY, JULY 19th – Veteran’s Day & Chapin Manufacturing Day at the Fair!

• 9 a.m.        Open Sheep Show (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 9 a.m.        4-H Horse Show—Gymkhana Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.        4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Show Ring)
• 10 a.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 2 p.m.        4-H Goat & Sheep Quiz Bowl (Merton Building)
• 5-10 p.m.   MIDWAY OPEN (Amusement Area)
• 5:30 p.m.   4-H Market Animal Auction Buyers Dinner
• 6:45 p.m.   4-H Market Animal Auction Awards
• 7 p.m.        Genesee Speedway SPECIAL STOCK CAR RACES (Grandstand)
• 7 p.m.        Battle of the Bands (Entertainment Tent)
• 7 p.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction (Show Ring)
• 7 p.m.        4-H Horses Released
• 10 p.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.*

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18th – Children’s Day/ 4H Family Night - Kids Ride Special 1-5 p.m.

• 9 a.m.         Open Draft Horse Show—Halter Class (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.         4-H Meat & Dairy Goat Show (Show Ring) 
• 9 a.m.         Open Class Goat Show (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 10 a.m.       EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 12 p.m.       4-H Sheep Show (Show Ring)
• 12:30 p.m.  Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building)
• 1 p.m.         Open Draft Horse Show—Hitch Class (Horse Ring)
• 1-5 p.m.      MIDWAY OPEN for KID’S DAY (Amusement Area)
• 4 p.m.         4-H Hog Show (Show Ring)
• Open Swine Show to Follow 4-H (Show Ring)
• 5-10 p.m.    MIDWAY OPEN (Amusement Area)
• 5-8 p.m.      Car Cruise (East Lawn)
• 6 p.m.         Fair Queen Pageant (Entertainment Tent Stage)
• 10 p.m.       EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.*

The Genesee County Fair for 2018 is underway and one of the big events for the first day yesterday was the fair parade.

There are events all week. Click here for a schedule.

To purchase prints click here.

Daily at the Genesee County Fair: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! *Midway Rides. *Daily Wristband Specials Available. Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits. Container Garden Contest -- Exhibition Building. Chainsaw Carver

TUESDAY, JULY 17th – “Senior Citizen Day”/Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center. 

• 9 a.m.        4-H Horse Show—Western Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Hog Show (Show Ring)
• 10 a.m.      Open Class Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 a.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 12 p.m.      4-H Market Animal Auction Lamb Show (Show Ring)
• 1 p.m.        4-H Poultry Showmanship (Merton Building)
• 4 p.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Dairy Steer Show (Show Ring)
• 4-10 p.m.   Faith at the Fair—Christian Music (Entertainment Tent)
• 5 p.m.        4-H Market Animal Auction Beef Steer Show (Show Ring)
• 5-10 p.m.   MIDWAY OPENS (Amusement Area)
• 6 p.m.        North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch (Horse Ring)
• 6 p.m.        4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 p.m.      EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.*

MONDAY, JULY 16th “Emergency Responder Night” 

• 9 a.m.   -- 4-H Horse Show—English Classes (Horse Ring)
• 9 a.m.   --   4-H Market Animal Auction Goat Show (Show Ring)
• 10 a.m.  --  EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 11 a.m.   --  4-H Beef Cattle Show (Show Ring)
• 12 p.m.  --   Open Beef Show (Show Ring)
• 1 p.m.  --   Rabbit Showmanship (Merton Building)
• 5:30 p.m.  --   Parade Lineup -- Genesee Speedway Pits (Fairgrounds)
• 6:30 p.m. --   Genesee Co. Fair Grand Parade through the Fairgrounds

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

Press release:

The  48^th Annual Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction will be held Thursday, July 19, at the Genesee County Fair.

The auction begins at 7 p.m. in the main show ring.

New this year, 4-H members will be selling market chickens and dairy steers.

The auction will feature approximately 28 lots of market chickens, 10 goats, 19 lambs, 29 beef steers, two dairy steers and 44 hogs.

There will be a complementary buyers' dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Auction supporters will receive buyer’s dinner meal tickets after registering for a buyer’s number.

Special thanks to William Kent and Family for providing 48 years of support of the 4-H Market Animal Auction Program.

For more information, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Press release:

Searching for talented children and adults! The Genesee County Fair Talent show is July 21st and anyone age 6 and older is invited to participate. 

There will be cash prizes as well as prize bags containing passes to local attractions and toys for the first-, second- and third-place winners of both the Mini Division (ages 6-12) and the Maxi Division (ages 13 and older).

The link to register is: http://www.gcfair.com/participate-at-the-fair/talent-show/ 

Press release:

The second Annual Faith at the Fair event will held at the Genesee County Fair from 4 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17.

This will be an evening of Spirit filled music.

Admission to this event and the Fair itself is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Press release:

Batavia – The annual Genesee County Fair returns for its 179th year on July 16 – 21. This year’s fair will include a demolition derby, cowgirl couture barrel racing, an Empire State Pullers tractor pull, an expanded midway with nearly 20 rides and a host of other exciting changes and events to be enjoyed by the whole family.

New this year, the fair will be giving away tickets to the demolition derby and tractor pull on their Facebook page in the weeks leading up to the fair. Anyone wishing to win tickets can reply to a trivia question on the fair’s Facebook page for a chance.

The fair is also hosting a Battle of the Bands on Thursday night, July 19. Several local bands will go head-to-head in the musical competition, with the winner playing the main stage on Friday night. The fair is pleased to announce the return of the talent show on July 21.

One of the longest consecutively running county fair in New York State is a short drive from both Rochester and Buffalo. Admission is $5 per carload, also making it one of the more affordable family activities of the summer.

Since 1839, Upstate New York families have attended the annual fair at the Genesee County Fairgrounds to enjoy classic fair foods, meet and greet with animals (more than 800 will be at the fair this year!), hop on the kids' rides and more.

Attendees of the six-day fair will be treated to live music at Faith at the Fair on July 17, Under the Gun on July 21, as well as the winner of the battle of the bands competition on July 20, a creative container garden contest, and chainsaw carvings. There will also be 4-H animal shows, tractor pulls, car shows, draft horse shows, stock car racing, a Fair Queen pageant and more.  

Event Highlights:

7/16 -- Emergency Responder Night and Grande Parade through the Fairgrounds

7/17 -- Senior Citizens' Day and Midway opens, Faith at the Fair

7/18 -- Children’s Day, 4H and Fair Queen Pageant

7/19 -- Veterans' Day at the Fair, Battle of the Bands and Special Stock Car races

7/20 -- Grand Demolition Derby and Cowgirl Couture Barrel Racing

7/21 -- Bring Your Tractor to the Fair: all day tractor pulls, Empire State Pullers, Talent Show

For a complete list of events, visit gcfair.com/fair-schedule/. To keep up-to-date on the latest happenings of the fair, visit the Genesee County Fair’s Facebook page.

The fair is also accepting applications for both sponsors and volunteers. For more information visit gcfair.com

Parking is available in the fairgrounds and admission is $5 per carload. The Genesee County Fairgrounds are located at 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Press releases:C

Genesee County Fair Seeks Exhibitors

2018 marks the 179^th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair – one of New York’s longest consecutively running county fairs. It will run from July 16-21.

We are a short drive from both Rochester and Buffalo. The Genesee County Fair is seeking exhibitors for our home (domestics) department.

Items that can be entered, include Flowers, Needlework, Arts & Crafts, Culinary (Jams, Jellies etc…), Vegetables and Antiques. There is also a junior department to get the youth involved! The Home Department is open to people of all ages and abilities!

You do not have to be a pro to enter an exhibit! If you think that you would be interested in submitting exhibits for the week of Fair, please visit gcfair.com and download the 2018 Fair Premium Book and fill out the Home Department Entry Form.

Be sure to mail your entry form with payment by July 11^th to:  26 Spencer Court, Batavia, NY 14020.

Volunteers and Sponsors Wanted

With your help, we hope to make 2018 a memorable year for the fair by adding more new and exciting events. We would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer and or a sponsor of the fair.

Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the week before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!

Becoming a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers who live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to our Fair’s website gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact info.

New This Year: Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest

For this year’s Fair, we would like to include a Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest.

The contest will be open to individuals, as well as businesses and community organizations. Each hay/straw bale must be provided by the contestant.

Any size bale may be used – large or small you can decorate it all!  Entries will be judged by fairgoers throughout the week of fair, July 16-21.

They will be encouraged to judge on eye appeal, construction and creativity!

Hay/Straw bales must be delivered to the Exhibition Building at the Fair between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 15^th.

Decorations must be of good clean wholesome fun, no vulgar or suggestive decorations will be allowed.

Hay/Straw bales must be removed from the Fair by 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22^nd.

Participate in the Genesee County Fair’s Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest to show your stuff!

Visit gcfair.com.

Mobile Container Gardens are Wanted for Display Contest

It’s time to get creative! The Container Garden Contest means it's time to get out, be more active, and use your green thumb to win bragging rights!

This contest is open to all residents, businesses and organizations of Genesee County.

This year's Container Garden Contest theme is "Everything But the Kitchen Sink." You can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, and indigenous plants in your container. You can show off your creativity at its finest!

Put your dazzling decor items on display, including sculptures, fountains, and repurposed works of art! Let imagination, creativity, and ingenuity triumph over size! Even with limited space, the possibilities are endless with containers.

This contest is for both new and experienced gardeners. There's even a category for kids! Containers can be anything imaginable, as long as they are mobile such as, buckets, wheelbarrows, funky pots & upcycled/recycled items.

So if you're ready to bring fresh, new life and beauty to your Genesee County Fair, then we say ... Grow For It! Entries must be received at the Fair by 4 p.m. on July 15^th and picked up by 4 p.m. on July 22^nd.

Entries will be on display in the Exhibition Building during the week of Fair. Winners will be selected by members of the CCE Master Gardeners and Fairgoers votes.

For more information and entry form please visit www.GCFAIR.com

Press release:

Batavia  – The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking volunteer judges for the following events at this year’s Genesee County Fair:

• Kennedy Building Exhibits, Sunday July 15 from noon until 5 p.m. Help us judge youth exhibits in following categories: Horticulture, Creative Writing, Baked Goods, Sewing and more!
• 4-H Livestock Costume Contest -- Friday, July 20 at 10 a.m. 4-H’ers will be dressing their project animals up in fun costumes & accessories; help us decide who is the most creative, most humorous, has the best craftsmanship, the best team, and overall champion!

Interested in helping? Contact Brandie or Jessica for more details, 343-3040 or email genesee4h@cornell.edu

Press release:

The Genesee County Fair announces today that up to seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded across New York State to current New York State high school seniors and also students enrolled in college.

The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs and the New York State Showpeople’s Association sponsor the scholarships.

Qualifying students must be active at the Genesee County Fair, or with the New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA). All applicants from Genesee County must submit their applications through the Genesee County Fair, or the NYSSA, no later than Friday, April 13.

Information is available at the Genesee County Fair office (Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia) through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and from local high school offices. Applications must be printed and completed from the Web at www.nyfairs.org.

For more information, contact Alton MacDuffie at the Genesee County Fair at (585) 752-3600.

The Genesee County Agricultural Society would like to thank everyone for their continued support in helping make the 2017 Fair and the Fairgrounds successful all year round! 

It was standing room only, with as many as 70 cars entered, for the 2017 Demolition Derby at the Genesee County Fair on Friday night.

Saturday, July 22nd - Farm Bureau Day & Bring Your Tractor to the Fair Day

• 8:30am NIOGA Colored Breed Show (Show Ring)
• 9am NIOGA Holstein/Open Class Dairy Show (Show Ring)
• 9am ECYSS - Youth Breed Show (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 10am FARM STOCK TRACTOR - Bring Your Tractor!!
• Enhanced Tractor * Garden Pullers (GRANDSTAND)
• 10am EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 1pm 4-H Goat Obstacle Course Contest (4-H Goat Barn) 
• 1pm - 11pm Midway Open (Amusement Area)
• 12pm Cowgirl Couture - Barrel Racing (Horse Ring)
• 2pm 4-H Vegetable Contest (Kennedy Building)
• 2:30pm 4-H Rabbit Knowledge Contest (Merton Building)
• 3:30pm Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building)
• 4pm 4-H Market Animal Master Showman Contest (Show Ring)
• 6pm 4-H Scavenger Hunt (Kennedy Building)
• 6:30pm Empire State Pullers Tractor Pulls (GRANDSTAND)
• 8pm -12am - Divided by Zero - Band (Entertainment Tent)
• 8pm 4-H Non-Market Animals - Beef, Goat, Sheep & Swine Released
• 8pm 4-H Non-Animal Exhibits Released

*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time*

DAILY AT THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR: $5 Carload Admission Every Day & Night! * Midway Rides * DAILY WRIST BAND SPECIALS AVAILABLE. 
* Agricultural Awareness Exhibit * Livestock Exhibits * Air Sculpture – Transforming Balloons into Art (Exhibition Building), Chainsaw Carver—Elaine Foy.

Tonight could be the biggest crowd ever at the Genesee County Fairgrounds assembled to watch the Grand Demolition Derby. It's packed -- SRO: Standing Room Only. And the traffic jam getting into the venue was one for the record books.