fairgrounds

Even with a forecast of clouds, the dim prospects of actually seeing a fairly rare total solar eclipse were enough to draw a few visitors to Genesee County and the Genesee County Fairgrounds to see what they could see.

There were a couple of dozen groups of people at the fairgrounds on Monday to see the eclipse.

Denise Auker, of Lancaster, Pa., and her family of six picked Batavia because it seemed affordable and the five-hour drive was reasonable.

"The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce's website was very helpful and had a lot of information," Auker said. "We were at the maple farm this morning. They (the chamber) recommended that, and then they had this location on (the site). They had several locations to choose from, but we picked this one."

For Mike from Northern Virginia and his friend Aram, Genesee County seemed like it might be a place with fewer crowds, easier to get to and leave after the event.

"We also wanted to go somewhere where there were we knew there were places to see the eclipse," Mike said. "We didn't want to get stuck in the middle of a place with just roads and no cleaning, no place to park and see it. We figured this was a good place to end up."

As promised, Genesee County Fairgrounds was overrun with kids — more than 1,000 of them — for most of Tuesday.

But instead of it being some kind of free-for-all riot, the students from 30 school districts were there to focus on work. As part of a GLOW With Your Hands initiative, the event offered several stations where kids could not only see and hear about various careers in the work world but also get hands-on experience to get a real feel for what the different fields are like.

This was the fourth such event, and with an ever-growing attendance, Co-Chairman Chris Suozzi said.

“In 2019 we had over 800 students, and this year we had over 1,000. Then we had 50 vendors, today we have 65 vendors,” Suozzi said. “Students can start exploring careers that work with your hands, and by the way, all of these careers are local. It’s a whole day of getting out of the classroom … and exploring different careers, especially for kids who are career-focused. It’s all about getting kids to focus on these great careers that we have locally.”

School districts represented the four counties of GLOW — Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. Organizers consider it the region’s largest hands-on career exploration fair that provided interactive experiences with skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction and agriculture fields.

Another plus was that kids also met with professionals in those fields, and potential future employers, organizers said.

“While the record participation of our students and businesses is welcome, the true success of GLOW With Your Hands is the having a youth arrive at our event and discover a passion for a career that they may have never considered before,” Co-Chairman Jay Lazarony said in a press release. “Our exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and organizers are dedicated to supporting students today, and throughout their path to success.”

Students rotated through stations where they were able to operate backhoes and excavators, compete in nail driving and construction competitions, and test their skills on dairy farming and welding simulators.

Chris Suozzi

“It’s incredible to see so many students that are excited about careers right in their own backyard,” Suozzi said. “Our companies are growing, and today demonstrates that the national workforce challenge can be solved locally.”

Students weren’t the only ones to enjoy the fun of digging in the dirt, as state Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited the fairgrounds and acknowledged her fascination with excavators. She encouraged the young participants to pursue one of the many careers they glimpsed during the day.

“This is an opportunity for young people to come into a career fair and really experience things with their hands I was over at megatronic station, they can do the circuitry, the air pressure, there’s all kinds of animal husbandry on one side, moving excavators, bucket trucks for young people not to just read about a skill, or have somebody talk about it, but doing it themselves,” Reardon said. “They’re petting the cows and calves, and doing all the megatronic set-up. It’s great to watch them interact with each other and interact with these skill sets. They’re really excited. We need these kinds of career fairs so these young people can make a really smart career path that will sustain their lives.”

She thanked event organizers for hosting the career fair, and reminded the public of the 96 career centers throughout New York that have online training and job resources.

Click here for more information about GLOW WithYour Hands. 

Roberta Reardon

Top Photo: A student takes control of an excavator after getting some hands-on lessons during Tuesday's GLOW With Your Hands event; students from 30 school districts within Genesee, Orleans, Livingston and Wyoming counties learn about everything from milking a cow and performing utility work on a pole to mechanical repairs, food chain occupations and laying bricks during the fourth GLOW event at Genesee County Fairgrounds. Photos by Stephen Ognibene.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Genesee County Fairgrounds will host one of the largest sports card and collectible shows in the region. 

There will be roughly 100 vendor tables full of sports cards, autographs, supplies, hobby boxes and non-sports-related collectibles. 

The show/sale will be from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and have free admission. 

There will also be a food truck available on site.  

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a FREE drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, August 11th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

New York State Public Health Law requires all dogs, cats and domestic ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies after they reach the age of 4 months. Animals must also remain up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and owners can be fined up to $200 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date.

“Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Genesee County,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “We remind all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

• Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY)
  • Thursday, September 15th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 13th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31, Albion, NY)  
  • Saturday, August 13th, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 15th, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Health Department services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 589-3278 for Orleans County or 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County.

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a FREE drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, May 19th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

“We encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals (including baby wild animals), stray dogs or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal—limit 4 pets per car maximum.

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

• Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY)
  • Thursday, August 11th, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 15th, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 13th, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31, Albion, NY)
  • Saturday, June 4th, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, August 13th, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Health Department services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 589-3278 for Orleans County or 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County.

A four-wheeler accident is reported at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, at the race track, in Batavia.

The patient reportedly hit her head and is pregnant. 

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Pony riders from age 5 to age 17 were at the Genesee County Fairgrounds today for a regional competition hosted by the Western New York Pony Club.

The competition is a series of games, relay races, that test the riders' skills for placing, picking up, and handing off objects while on horseback.

The children age 5 to 9 compete in five races and the older competitors race through 10 relays.  

The rulebook contains 46 possible games that organizers can choose and teams only learn a month before the competition which games will be played.

The winning teams will have an opportunity to compete at the national championship in North Carolina later this year.

There were 36 competitors in Batavia today from throughout Western, Central, and a portion of Northern New York.

Press release:

Genesee County 4-H Fur and Feather Club along with Wyoming County 4-H Rabbit Ears Club are hosting a double rabbit and cavy youth show on Saturday, April 21, at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The show is open to all local youth ages 19 and younger (you don’t need to be a 4-H member). Showroom opens at 8 a.m., health checked by 9 a.m., judging promptly begins at 10 a.m.

Entry Fee is $3 per animal if postmarked by April 13 or $4 day of show. Participants may enter in both shows.

For complete show rules and entry forms please click here, or contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 343-3040, ext. 101.

The 178th annual Genesee County Fairgrounds turn out to be a great showing on opening night for the grand parade that marched through the grounds.  

For a complete schedule of daily events click here: http://gcfair.com/Home/FairInformation/DailySchedule.aspx

Click here for a listing of daily events at the 2017 Genesee County Fair

The New York State High School Rodeo Association held its annual state championship rodeo at the Genesee County Fairgrounds today.

This is the first time Batavia has hosted the rodeo, which in the past has generally gone to Attica or Caledonia. 

The three-day event includes two days of competition, a dance tonight and awards presentation tomorrow.

Over the past five years, the Genesee County Fair has gone from a local event that was barely hanging on, to one that is now the envy of many other rural counties around the state, according to a report delivered by Ag Society President Norm Pimm to the Human Services Committee of the Genesee County Legislature.

Pimm said he recently attended an expo for county fair organizers in Rochester and Genesee County's fair was a subject of curiosity.

"There are a lot of fairs that are crying that they're going backward in attendance, so we are one of the few that is going forward, and we actually have a lot of fairs coming to us and asking what we're doing differently," Pimm said.

Last year more than 22,000 people attended the fair.

People attend, he said, because of the attractions and the animals.

Ag is a big part of every county fair, but Genesee County has been able to revitalize its ag program and last year there were more than 800 animals on show, which put the fairgrounds at capacity for farm animals.

Last year's fair included the Empire Classic sheep show, which attracted competitors from all over the state. The show gave local youngsters a chance to learn from and compete against some of the very best competitors in the Northeast.

The beef show was also a big hit and attracted two farm families that hadn't shown beef at the Genesee County Fair in 40 years. They were quite pleased with what they found at the show.

"They went to Syracuse after that and they were telling people there, 'you've got to go to Genesee County next summer. You've got to be in this show. It's awesome. and their fairgrounds look great.' "

The two families were in Ohio the following week complimenting the Genesee County fair again, he said. 

"We now have two big nationally known exhibitors out talking about us," he said. "That's fantastic."

Not everything, though, is a home run. The midway -- all the rides and games -- is a fair essential, but it's also a reliable money loser.

"Our midway kills us, but you have to have one," Pimm said. "It sounds sad, but you have to have one. We had some fair board members say 'let's not have one.' You have to, so we just need to make it up somewhere else."

Part of what pays for the fair are all the other events that are hosted by the fairgrounds spring, summer and fall, from auctions and 4-H events to flea markets and horse shows.

The new horse barns, in fact, are a big attraction now and there is a horse show booked at the fairgrounds every weekend this summer. 

There's also going to be a statewide high school rodeo hosted by the fairgrounds this summer; it's the first held locally. If it goes well, Genesee County could be considered to host the national high school rodeo championship.

The Genesee County Agriculture Society is on a continuous improvement project with the fairgrounds and is about to embark on a $500,000 electrical upgrade of the entire grounds. Because of the cost, it will have to be done in stages, Pimm said. A recent grant of $90,000 from the governor's office will help the society get started, he said.

The County budget earmarks $9,500 in assistance to the Ag Society.

Improvements lead to more events to host, and more events help generate the funds for more improvements. The events throughout the year help pay for the fair which, even with all its success last year, still came up short of expenses by $4,400.

"We're trying to use the grounds as much as we can so we keep the revenue coming in and we can keep investing back into the grounds," Pimm said.

Jericka, lead singer for the local Christian band Salt of Earth, sings during the opening of Batavia's Great Tabernacle, a three-day event of music and worship at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

The event continues tonight with free performances by Jim Drew and Jason Upton, and with speakers each night, tonight is Pastor Kevin Traux.

Last night's guest speaker was Tim Bennett, and Robin Mark performed.

Press release:

Residents of the City of Batavia and surrounding region are invited to the Genesee County Fairgrounds for a meal and Christian concert, no charge!

Aug. 24^th -26^th, a dozen area churches along with 13 ministries and community organizations will be joining together to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of “Batavia’s Great Tabernacle Revival."

Wednesday, Aug. 24^th the night will kick off with local worship band Salt Of Earth along with internationally known worship leader Robin Mark from Belfast Ireland. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and event will begin at 6 p.m. There will be short messages of hope throughout. 

Thursday, Aug. 25^th will follow suit opening at 4 p.m. and commencing at 6 p.m. with Jim Drew and band out of Rochester followed by singer/songwriter Jason Upton and team. Jason does his best to carry the heart of our Heavenly Father. His songs and his messages reflect a life fully lived in relationship with God, family and friends. Come out and enjoy a time with great artists and a meal on us! 

Friday, Aug. 26^th Join us for a concert night of worship and celebration with Elmwood Drive, Selah and All Sons & Daughters. 

Doors will open at 4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 5 p.m. for General Admission. There will be 1,000 chairs available and then lawn seating. You can bring fold-up chairs, blankets and plastic bottled drinks, no glass or alcohol. 

Concessions will be available for purchase all three nights.

You are welcome to bring friends and take part in worship, evangelism and Christian entertainment without denominational walls.

For more info call 585-297-3155 or 585-993-1888

Tickets for Friday available at www.effchurch.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-tabernacle-campaign-tickets-21233686528?ref=elink  

Tickets also available at Roxy’s Music Store, located at 228 W. Main St., Batavia.

Press release:

The Genesee County Agricultural Society is accepting proposals to lease and operate the 1/3 mile dirt oval race track for the 2016 racing season. Detailed proposals should be sent to geneseefair@yahoo.com by Nov. 17th.

Riders of all ages and their horses competed in the Genesee County Agricultural Society's first Summer Kick Off Classic Horse Show at the fairgrounds this Sunday.

The horse show had 44 English and Western classes and six sweepstakes classes. 

Proceeds from the show will be used to repair stalls and add a schooling area for horses to exercise at the fairgrounds. The Agricultural Society hopes to make the horse show an annual event.

Madison Drysdale wins First Place trophy in the Open Walk-Trot English Showmanship Class. 

Stella and Cherie Glosser show off their award ribbons they won in the Hunter Hack classes.

Liz Osborn sang the national anthem.

Show managers Crista Boldt and Amanda Gallo.

This might be a surprise to you. Perhaps not. There's a circus in town. There's been some posters around town, apparently, but I didn't learn about it until I drove past the fairgounds today.

They performed last night and will perform again tonight.

Performances are at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 each. Two children can get in for free with a paid adult.

The circus is produced by Walker International.

A little rain did nothing to deter fairgoers from enjoying the final day of the Genesee County Fair. As of Saturday morning, approximately 14,000 visitors attended the 175th County Fair in Batavia.

“Overall includes lifetime members, volunteers and 4-H’ers and the 9,500 that paid at the gate and thus far 14,000 people have visited the 175th Genesee County Fair,” said  

Norm Pimm, treasurer for the Agricultural Society.

According to Nick O’Geen of the Agricultural Society, the cooler, nicer weather this year played a part in drawing a crowd. Additionally, the number of vendors and local people that have had displays is greater this year, according to Agricultural Society Secretary Rose Topolski.

“Several local businesses have set up (displays/food stands), so there is a familiarity to them; people recognize local shops,” Topolski said.

Entertainment options have been ramped up to draw families as well as adults. 

“We’ve kept the family entertainment tent but we also added a beer tent with entertainment for the older crowd,” said Agricultural Society Member Alton MacDuffie.

Other additions to the fair included adding the Princess Contest and new sponsors for the Tractor Pull.

“A lot of new 4-H members put forth ideas and carried through on them,” Topolski said. “The young blood brought forth more to the fair -- more grandeur.”

“For a week people become like your family because you see and wave to them every day.” O'Geen said.

A fond farewell to this year’s Genesee County Fair -- the 175th Anniversary celebrations came to a close Saturday night.

“We’d like to thank all the 4-h'ers, volunteers, sponsors, and fair supporters for making the 175th Genesee County Fair a success,” O’Geen said.