Lee County Fair

Sennett supervisor wants Cayuga County Fair moved to Emerson Park

A proposal to move the Cayuga County Fair from Weedsport to Emerson Park has a lot of convincing to do before a venue change actually happens.

Jeff Herrick, the Sennett town supervisor and an antique tractor collector, said he wants to revitalize the fair by moving it back to the park, where its predecessor, the Big Six Picnic, used to take place.

Being located across the street from the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum would help the fair return to its farming roots, he said, and would allow the antique tractors more visibility instead of being “out in Timbuktu,” as he said they were one year at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds Speedway.

Herrick’s idea is to make the switch starting in 2012 to coincide with the completion of renovations at the Emerson Park pavilion and the beginning of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival.

Ideally, the fair would take place over two days on the July 4 weekend. The Owasco Fire Department would forego its annual field days event and sell barbecued chicken at the fair instead, Herrick said.

“The whole point is to get Emerson Park back in the loop again,” he said.

The proposal would first need to pass by the Cayuga County Legislature and its Public Works Committee. Herrick was scheduled to present there earlier this month but missed the meeting because of a Sennett town meeting scheduled at the same time.

Public Works committee chairman David Axton said he was interested to hear the proposal, but didn’t know what exactly Herrick has in mind.

County Parks and Trails Director Gary Duckett said moving the fair to Emerson Park would be “very difficult to accomplish,” especially on the July 4 weekend.

The biggest problem, he said, would be space, especially for parking.

“It’s solid cars. We park every square inch of property on July 3,” he said. “Where would you have rides and concessions and all that? ... That creates a real logistics challenge.”

Deauville Island is closed off for the fireworks display July 3, further crunching the space, Duckett said.

Herrick said attendees could park at Auburn High School and take a shuttle as they do for TomatoFest.

The Cayuga County Agricultural Society, which runs the fair, would also have to approve the change.

Herrick said he believed that group was “pretty much on board,” but board of directors member Peg Gilmore expressed skepticism.

“There’s no buildings up there (at Emerson Park) to house the animals. People down the lake will say we’re polluting the water and they wouldn’t put up with the smell,” she said. “I don’t think it’s something we’d want to get into without some more details.

Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair starts Friday - cape-coral ...

You can come with the family all day, or take part in Moonlight Madness Nights, and see all the animals, enjoy exhibits, great food, rides and music.

The 87th Annual Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair begins this Friday, Feb. 25, and will run through Sunday, March 6, at the Lee Civic Center.

"Moonlight Madness" nights this year are Friday, Feb. 25, and Friday, March 4. Moonlight Madness goes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with unlimited rides for $20.

Many come just to enjoy the animal and other exhibits. The fair draws exhibitors from five counties from 4-H and Future Farmers of America and other participants.

There will be the standard favorites in rides along with new rides.

For entertainment and shows, local talent is always a favorite, including the returning Ronnie Morgan, Brooke Huffmaster and the Del Prados.

Concerning shows for all ages, the popular kid favorites Kandu & Co. Magic Show and Tadpole the Clown will be back this year, along with the Wild About Monkeys animal show and the Shark Encounter. New is the Discovering Science Exhibit and the new Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show.

Executive producer Chris the "Stunt Dog Guy" Perondi is the organizer of the Extreme Canine Stunt Show. "We've been traveling nationwide and will do about 700 shows this year, at theme parks, events and other county fairs."

His dogs have been featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen Show, even the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

"We'll be bringing all different breeds - I rescue them from shelters."

He said it takes about a year to train the dogs, and they love performing. "My slogan is that it is fur-flying family fun. We're looking forward to our first time in Fort Myers."

Another new happening at the fair this year is that organizers are offering children's birthday parties, said Fair General Manager Alta Mosley. For birthday party information, call 543-8364.

What does she like most about the fair? "My satisfaction is seeing other people's enjoyment," she said. "We hope people will come and see the fair grow."

Regular admission is $7 adults, $4 children six to 11, five and under free, with free parking.

Weekdays, the fair opens at 5 p.m., and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Lee Civic Center is located at 11831 Bayshore Rd. in North Fort Myers. For ticket information, call 543-7469 or go to leecicviccenter.com.

History of Lee County, Illinois

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