Yorktown Grange Fair—Something for Everyone

As the air outside began to show its first symptoms of crisp fall weather approaching, Westchester residents continued to celebrate its arrival with an annual celebration this past weekend—the Yorktown Grange Fair.

This year marked the 86th installment, with the festival that provided a four-day fun for all ages. Kicking off on Thursday evening, Sept. 9, and closing its gates on Sunday night, Sept. 12, a variety of events were jam-packed into just a few short days with involvement by many local businesses and patrons.  

The combination of world-famous fried dough on sale, rides, musical performances, and other vendors proved this was no ordinary country fair.

Classic festival accoutrements, such as rides on the Ferris wheel gave people of all ages a beautiful view of the fairgrounds and town, while a slow and relaxing carousel brought a bit of childhood fun into the mix. Those contraptions that caused a bit more stomach churning— like the Rip-Tide and Gravitron—were greeted with a combination of fear and excitement by an older set.

A variety of good-natured contests also helped to interactively involve the community.

On Saturday night, Sept. 11, the prime palette of Peter Pratt, the owner of Peter Pratt's Inn located on Croton Heights Road in Yorktown Heights, was part of the selection process for the first time in tasting the different edible masterpieces involved in the baking contest competition, while the flower show was on display nearby for Yorktown's devout horticulturalists.

The K9 Kids 4-H Club also helped lead pups of all different breeds in a presentation of dog obedience tricks and training under one of the tents. Enjoyed by all dog-lovers, patrons found themselves longing to take one home with them.

"The golden retriever is my favorite," Savannah Woods, 11, from Dutchess County said.

"I wish we could adopt one, but my mom won't let me," she added.

Pony rides were available for kids who always dreamed of having one of their very own, and pot-bellied pigs did a little legwork as they participated in a series of sprinting competitions for captive audiences by Chase's Racing Pigs by Mohegan Lake Motors.

The vast array of livestock created a petting zoo—complete with animals as large as cows and as tiny as freshly hatched baby chicks.

Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center hosted a locally grown produce demonstration, while over 300 gardeners entered their veggies in a show for the best-looking tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables.

Lew Sparks, a chairperson for the local produce show he coordinates along with his wife Penny, said he believed the fair competitors had a good time at their event of the festival.

"I think people are excited about what we're doing," he said. "Plus, our entry numbers are up in general."

From quilt-making activities to book signings by Barnes and Noble, this country fair had a broad appeal for different demographics, because of its diverse collection of activities.

"You don't see such a broad range in country fairs anymore besides just the rides," Sparks said. "[The Grange] is an excellent fair for families. There are so many things to do here."