County Fairs Ready to Show What’s Great in New York State

By Grace Schneider, NYSAC Intern

With warm summer days approaching, many county fairgrounds are preparing to reopen, some for the first time in 2-3 years. The excitement surrounding the return of county fairs shines through in the electronic countdowns featured on so many fair websites, even as they are 90-100 days before opening day celebrations.

Details on each fair can be found in a directory provided by the Department of Agriculture and Markets at newyorkstateyouthandagriculturalfairsdirectory.pdf (ny.gov). There you’ll find information about featured performers like Tracy Byrd who will be performing at the Oneida County and Franklin County Fairs, as well as learn about exciting themes like Essex County’s “Hawaiian Luau” and Herkimer County’s “from Wagon Wheels to Ferris Wheels.”

In addition to local county fairs, the Great New York State Fair is also set to return this year from August 24th to September 5th. More information, including performance announcements, can be found on the New York State Fair website at www. nysfair.ny.gov.

County fairs offer a unique opportunity to experience the local foods, crafts, art, produce, livestock and more that each of our counties has to offer! Check the list below to find the dates for your county fair (or a neighbor!) and see all that New York has to offer this summer!

2022 County Fairs

July 2-4 July 5-9 July 7-10 July 7-10 July 12-16 July 12-17 July 14-31 July 17-19 July 18-23 July 18-24 July 19-23 July 19-23 July 19-24 July 20-23 July 23-30 July 25-30 July 26-30 July 26-31 July 26-31 July 26-31 July 28-30 July 28-31 July 28-31 July 29-31 July 30 - August 6 August 2-7

Grand Circuit Race Meet

Cortland County Junior Fair Afton Fair

Madison County Fair Yates County Fair Jefferson County Fair Orange County Fair Putnam County 4-H Fair Allegany County Fair Chautauqua County Fair Hemlock Fair

Lewis County Fair Saratoga County Fair Seneca County Fair Genesee County Fair Orleans County 4-H Fair Ontario County Fair Boonville Oneida County Fair Broome County Fair Clinton County Fair Cayuga County Fair Greene County Youth Fair Onondaga County Youth Fair Orange County Ag. Festival Cattaraugus County Fair

August 2-7 August 2-7 August 2-7 August 3-7 August 5-7 August 6th August 7-14 August 8-13 August 9-13 August 9-14 August 10-14 August 10-21 August 13-20 August 15-20 August 15-21 August 16-21 August 16-21

Gouverneur & St. Lawrence Fair Otsego County Fair Ulster County Fair Niagara County Fair Monroe County Fair Warren County Youth Fair Franklin County Fair Wayne County Fair Tioga County Fair Schoharie County Sunshine Fair Chenango County Fair Erie County Fair Wyoming County Fair Delaware County Fair Stueben County Fair Altamont Fair Herkimer County Fair

August 17-21 August 17-21 August 19-21 August 20th August 21st August 22-28 August 23-28 August 23-28 August 31 - September 5 August 31 - September 5 August 31 - September 5 September 16-18 tentative August 12-14, Sept. 16-18

Essex County Fair Oswego County Fair Grahamsville Little World's Fair Sullivan County Youth Fair

Genesee Breeder's Assoc. Horse Fair

Washington County Fair Dutchess County Fair Trumansburg Fair Columbia County Fair

Fonda Fair

Schaghticoke Fair

Long Island Fair

Livingston County Fair

Did you know that babies remember?

Most people think that we don't have memories before age 3 or 4. When we think about a memory, most of us experience it as a story, with words and a narrative. Very young children do not have the language development that allows for the creation of a story. But, babies as young as 1-year of age can be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Other parts of the developed brain do remember.

During the earliest years of life, we are building the foundation of our mental health, our social emotional well-being.

This foundation is with us for the rest of our lives. We know that a house built with a strong foundation is able to stand up against the onslaught of storms. It works this way, too for our mental health. A person who developed a strong foundation in their earliest years is better able to stand against the onslaught of storms that life brings.

The New York State Association for Infant Mental Health

is working to assure that EVERYONE who works with, or on behalf of young children, their families and caregivers understands and carries Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health principles in all they do.