NORTHAMPTON — Old favorites and new festivities will welcome this year’s crowds at the annual Three County Fair, which kicks off Friday and runs through Labor Day.
The fair, which is the oldest continuously running agricultural fair in the country and celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, is poised to open its doors to an anticipated 40,000 people during its four-day run.
“It’s a great place for people to reconnect,” said James Przypek, who took over as general manager of the Three County Fair & Fairgrounds in November. “Summer’s over, people are coming back from vacation, school’s starting.”
Along with tried and true activities such as live music and amusement rides, and school bus demolition derbies, this year’s “great late summer fair” will also premiere new events, including a minivan demolition derby, motorcycle jump shows, lawnmower racing and the Aussie Kingdom, an educational show that will feature Australian animals like kangaroos and wallabies.
At its core, the Three County Fair is centered around a celebration of the area’s agricultural heritage, as originally intended by the Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden County Agricultural Society. The organization has overseen the fair since its 19th century commencement.
“This organization is over 200 years old now, and farming in (the Pioneer Valley), because of its location with the mountains and the river… has been an agricultural event that’s been very prevalent here for many, many years,” Przypek said. “That’s one of the reasons this fair started in 1818, and it’s only growing, basically… We do just about everything on the agricultural side.”
According to Przypek, derby events are consistently popular both at the Three County Fair and around the country.
“We sell out every night,” he said. The fair’s 20 VIP demolition booths, which provide prime viewing for the events, have already sold out in advance for the Sunday night demolition derby.
Przypek believes that the fair owes its longevity to the community members who are involved with the fair year-round, as well as the fair’s appeal across multiple generations. Additionally, participants are eager to pass on their knowledge of agriculture, livestock, horticulture and handicraft work.
The fair, he said, “is kind of a generational thing where it was passed down. People came when they were kids and still continue to come and bring their kids and grandkids.”
This year’s fair will also feature a 4-to-6-cylinder demolition derby; a classic car show; animal shows; food trucks; over 20 amusement rides; and live music from country acts Presley & Taylor and Ashley Gearing, among many other events.
A full schedule of events can be found at www.3countyfair.com.
“Weather forecast is looking favorable, and we’re hoping everybody comes out and has a good time,” Przypek said.