Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Dutchess Co. Fair offers something for everyone

Dutchess Co. Fair offers something for everyone

Fairgoers at this year’s Dutchess County Fair from Aug. 20-25 enjoyed thrilling rides on the Midway, including on this flying chair ride. The annual fair in Rhinebeck is one of the largest attractions in Dutchess County with 12 acres of fairgrounds and barns showcasing livestock, along with three show arenas, free entertainment and plenty to eat.

Photo by Olivia Valentine

RHINEBECK, N.Y. — The Dutchess County Fair has ended for the season, which ran from Aug. 20 until Sunday, Aug. 25.

The Dutchess County Fair designated 12 acres of the fairgrounds to showcase local livestock. This included 12 barns housing dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits, three show arenas with daily scheduled events, and workroom demonstrations.

Besides offering dozens of themed gardens, waterfalls, and ponds filled with koi and colorful flowers, the fair also travels back in time with the “turn of the century treasures.” It features a century museum village, the firefighters’ museum, a working blacksmith shop, and a gas-powered engine show.

Classic treats like candy apples and cotton candy fed the masses at the Dutchess County Fair. The annual fair in Rhinebeck is one of the largest attractions in Dutchess County with 12 acres of fairgrounds and barns showcasing livestock, along with three show arenas, free entertainment and plenty to eat.Photo by Olivia Valentine

Free entertainment included live music, frisbee dogs, a stilt circus, racing pigs, a petting zoo, dock dogs, a fishing tank, and a VR tractor ridealong. Musicians who performed included Tracy Byrd, Kameron Marlowe, Conner Smith, Kissnation, Bluffett, and Grammy-winning artist Rick Springfield.

Agencies represented included the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Medical Reserve Corps, Animal Response Team, and more.

A major partnership with the fair is ThinkDifferently, implementing accommodations for individuals and families with disabilities.
“ThinkDIFFERENTLY Thursday was born half a dozen years ago with the understanding that institutions like this and places like this often are difficult for individuals with any amount of disability to access,” U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-19) said.

Elizabeth “Tilly” Strauss’, the Town of North East’s clerk, and her father, Julian, won two blue ribbons at the Dutchess County Fair for his maple syrup. From a third-generation farm in Dutchess County, Julian started making maple syrup about 14 years ago, naming it Home Farm Maple Syrup. This was his first year competing at the fair, winning four ribbons. To learn more about Julian’s syrup, visit @homefarmmaplesyrup on Instagram or email homefarmmaple@optonline.com

Photo by Olivia Valentine

The ferris wheel at the Dutchess County Fair ran all week, taking visitors high into the sky. The annual fair in Rhinebeck is one of the largest attractions in Dutchess County with 12 acres of fairgrounds and barns showcasing livestock, along with three show arenas, free entertainment and plenty to eat.

Latest News

Infinity Bistro brings theater dining back to Norfolk

The cozy digs inside the 19th century Infinity Hall are ready for hungry patrons following the Wednesday, June 10 soft opening.

Alec Linden

NORFOLK – Four months after the Norfolk Pub – the only full-service restaurant in town – shuttered its doors, another has sprung up inside the historic walls of Infinity Hall, bringing an à la carte menu and a community gathering place back to the heart of downtown.

Infinity Bistro held its soft opening on Wednesday, June 10, marking the first restaurant service the 19th-century music hall has offered since shutting down its own food offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lisa Ludwig, general manager of Infinity Hall and a decade-plus veteran of the establishment, said she was pleased with the first night back, which had been advertised through social media and word of mouth.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon Hospital awarded seventh consecutive five-star quality rating

Sharon Hospital

File photo

SHARON – Sharon Hospital has once again earned the highest possible rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, marking the seventh consecutive year the hospital has received a five-star designation for quality.

The federal agency’s 2026 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings evaluate hospitals nationwide based on measures including mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience and timely care. Sharon Hospital received high marks across those categories, according to a June 12 announcement from Northwell Health.

Keep ReadingShow less

Legal Notices - June 18, 2026

Legal Notices - June 18, 2026

Notice of Decision Town of Salisbury Inland Wetlands & Watercourses

Commission Notice is hereby given that the following actions were taken by the Inland Wet-lands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on June 8, 2026: Approved — Application IWWC-26-25 by owner Raccard Properties LLC for stormwater improvements including replacement of three culverts, construction of a landscaping feature, and electrical utility work. The properties are shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 23 as lots 52 and 36 and are known as 70 Beaver Dam Road and 47 Hammertown Road, Salisbury, CT 06068. Deemed Exempt — Application IWWC-26-28 by The Lignin Group, LLC (Blake Morrison) to install two Docks, in two pre existing locations - each less than 50’ off the shoreline. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 66 as lot 40 and is known as 27 West Shore Place, Salisbury, CT 06068. The owner of the property is SKATTUM JULIE G TRUSTEE JULIE G SKATTUM TRUST.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - June 18, 2026

Classifieds - June 18, 2026

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center is a year-round 120-person retreat facility that is located in Falls Village, CT. Want to work at a beautiful, peaceful location, with great people? This is the place to be! We are currently seeking positions for Seasonal Lifeguard(s), Cook, Retreat services associate (banquet server front of house) and Mashgichim (F/T or P/T) for our summer season. For more details please visit our website at Careers - Adamah or email a copy of your resume to rebecca.eisen@adamah.org


Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers medal at state track meet

Olivia Brooks running the 3200m

Riley Klein

NEW BRITAIN – Several Housatonic Valley Regional High School track and field athletes made the podium at states Monday, June 1.

In total, 18 athletes from HVRHS competed at Willow Brook Park in New Britain for the 2026 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Council Class S track and field championships.

Keep ReadingShow less

Anita L. Gochey

Anita L. Gochey

CANAAN — Anita L. (King) Gochey, 85, of 77 South Canaan Rd. died June 5, 2026, at Geer Village. She was the wife of the late Lester Gochey. Anita was born July 16, 1940,in Winsted, daughter of the late Ivan and Irene (Dulude) King.

Anita was well known throughout the Northwest Corner. She worked for many local businesses and organizations. Anita worked at the Rexall Drug Store, C.A. Lindell and Sons, Bob’s Clothing, Brooks Pharmacy, and the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in the cafeteria.She used her skills in calligraphy to complete the record books for the North Canaan Congregational Church.Anita’s daughter remembers her as being very creative with cardboard, and a loving mom.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.