Rides are a popular attraction at the Three County Fair in Northampton, which kicks off Friday and runs through Labor Day on Monday. STAFF FILE PHOTO
NORTHAMPTON — Thousands of visitors are expected to flood through the gates of the Three County Fairgrounds after the 205th annual fair gets underway on Friday.
The Three County Fair, organized by the Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society, boasts four days of performances, food, carnival rides and mainstay attractions like the multi-part demolition derby, the Baby Barnyard and the Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs.
“Those are kind of the three anchors that two out of three people come to see,” James Przypek, general manager of the Three County Fair, said on Monday.
The fair, which runs from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5, is a labor of love for a “large army of volunteers, society members and our board of directors,” Przypek said. It typically draws between 30,000 and 40,000 people to the fairgrounds at 54 Fair St.
Fairgoers can also enjoy live music and agricultural exhibits throughout all four days; thrice-daily performances of the World of Wonders Amazement Show featuring sword swallowing, fire breathing, snake charmers and illusionists; tethered hot air balloon rides, weather permitting; and tractor and oxen pulls, among much more.
Przypek said the “two centuries-plus” that the fair has been in operation is “quite an achievement,” and Northampton’s event still holds the record for the longest consecutively run annual agricultural fair in the U.S. Even amid the gathering restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a scaled-back fair was held over three days in 2020 and exhibit halls were open to 75 people at a time.
This year, organizers are offering free parking as a way to make attending the fair more affordable.
“With inflation going through the roof, that’s something we decided to keep in place for folks,” Przypek said, after offering free parking last year to welcome back the big crowds.
Contactless entry via smartphone will shorten the in-person ticket lines, he added. Discounts are available for buying online in advance at 3CountyFair.com, including a $30 pass for admission on all four days.
Tickets are $15 for general admission to the fairgrounds for people ages 12 and older, and $10 for seniors and veterans. On Sunday, active duty military members and veterans can attend the fair for free thanks to a sponsorship from local veterans agencies.
Admission to the demolition derby events at the grandstand is an additional $6 per person ages 4 and up. Wristbands are only available in person on the day of each event.
Gates open Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10 a.m.
4:15 p.m. — New England Championship Horse Pull (Pull Ring)
5 & 8 p.m. — Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs (Outside Barn 7)
5:30, 7 & 8:30 — World of Wonders Amazement Show (back of arena)
6 p.m. — Bowey the Clown: Magic, Ventriloquism & Balloon Twist Show (Farm Museum Stage)
6-8 p.m. — Tethered hot air balloon rides by Aerostat Promotions (Infield grass) [Friday, Saturday & Sunday]
7-9:30 p.m. — Minivan Demo & 4-6 Cylinder Stock Compact Demo Derby (Grandstand)
7-10 p.m. — Rosie Porter & The Neon Moons (Bud Light Clubhouse Stage)
9 a.m. — Adult Sheep Show (Barn 1), Open Rabbit Show and Adult & Youth Poultry Show (Barn 7)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Classic Car Show (Outside Barn 6)
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Michelle Mae (Bud Light Clubhouse Stage)
12, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m. — Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs (Outside Barn 7)
12-4 p.m. — 3 County Fair Cornhole Tournament (Barn 3)
1, 4 & 7 p.m. — World of Wonders Amazement Show (back of arena)
3 p.m. — Adult Oxen Teamster’s Challenge (Teamsters Ring)
5-6 p.m. — Urban Wizard Academy Puppet & Magic Show (Farm Museum Stage)
7-9:30 p.m. — Enduro Racing & School Bus Demo Derby (Grandstand)
10 a.m. — Adult Ayrshires, Guernseys & Jerseys Dairy Show (Duda Show Ring)
11 a.m. — ABGA Boer Goat Show (Barn 1) [Continues at 2 p.m.]
12, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m. — Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs (Outside Barn 7)
12 p.m. — Three County Fair Apple Pie Contest (Exhibit Hall B)
12-4 p.m. — Tristate Truck n Tractor Pull (Grandstand)
1, 4 & 7 p.m. — World of Wonders Amazement Show (back of arena)
5-6 p.m. — Urban Wizard Academy Puppet & Magic Show (Farm Museum Stage)
7-9:30 p.m. — Stock & Modified Lawnmower Racing & 4-6-8 Cylinder Demolition Derby (Grandstand)
7-10 p.m. — Moose & The High Tops (Bud Light Clubhouse Stage)
10 a.m. — Youth Dairy Show (Duda Show Ring)
12 p.m. — Youth Dog Show (Arena)
12-2 p.m. — alex2e (Bud Light Clubhouse Stage)
12, 2 & 4 p.m. — Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs (Outside Barn 7)
12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 — World of Wonders Amazement Show (back of arena)
2-4:30 p.m. — Enduro Racing & School Bus Demolition Derby (Grandstand)
4-6 p.m. — Ashley Hensel (Bud Light Clubhouse Stage)
Monthly puzzle swap planned for Saturday NORTHFIELD — Free used puzzles will be available at Dickinson Memorial Library on Saturday, Sept. 3, from...
GREENFIELD — Residents and business owners at Thursday’s Planning Board meeting appeared receptive to the mayor’s proposed expansion of the...
GREENFIELD — Even with the help of a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the fire station budget is approximately $2...
GREENFIELD — With the goal of applying for grants that would make it possible to hire an independent licensed site professional, the neighborhood...