This Newsletter sponsored in part by:
Afton Farrier Supply
417 Country Rd 39
Afton, NY 13730
http://aftonfarriersupply.tripod.com/
Phone: 607-206-3867
March 15, 2009 Newsletter
Written and Edited by the Board of Directors
120th Afton Fair: July 8 - 12, 2009
Newsletter Links
[Afton Fair Representatives Attend NYSAAF Conference]
[Grounds Usage and Rental]
[Vendors Wanted for the Afton Fair]
[Afton Fair Board Host Community Forum]
[Racing Returns to Afton]
[Free Manuure for Gardens and Fields]
[Board & Committee Listing]
Afton Fair Preview - July 8 - 12, 2009
[88 BC/Afton Sertoma Stage]
[2009 Demolition Derby]
[Bikes for Kids Giveaway]
by Regina Birdsall
Afton Fair Representatives attending the NYSAAF Conference
Front Row: Lia Tingley and Frank Tingley
Back Row : John Niles, Barb Niles, Bill Barriger, Rhonda Barriger, Dennis Fletcher and Linda Fletcher
© copyright, The Afton FairThe New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) held its annual conference from January 16 through January 19 in Rochester. The Afton Fair was represented by board members Rhonda Barriger, Dennis Fletcher, Barb and John Niles and Frank Tingley, as well as spouses.
While at the conference the representatives attended seminars on advertising and sponsorships as well as agricultural topics and animal health. Entertainment and service providers were on hand to promote their services to Fair Boards.
A major conference event each year is the Red Wagon Parade. Each attending fair creates a float based on a pre-determined theme and the representatives dress up in costumes to accompany their float during the parade. This years theme was "Circus Circus". The Afton Fair float took first prize in the contest.
More pictures of the Afton Fair Float can be seen on our website.
by Regina Birdsall
The Afton Driving Park is available for rental from spring until fall. Rental fees are negotiated on a case by case basis.
In 2008 we rented our facilities to a number of organizations for 1 day events. Catskill Garden Tractor Pullers held three pulling events in 2008 and are planning on returning this year. Two very successful tack auctions were held by JP North and a tool auction was held in the fall. We are expecting additional auctions by both organizations in 2009.
There are events held at the Afton Driving Park every year by non-profit and community organizations free of charge. The Afton Sertoma Club will hold their Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00 AM for children ages 2 to 11. Additionally the last few years the Afton High School Track Team has held a meet each fall on the grounds.
Please contact us at 607-639-1525 if you would like to discuss renting our facilities for your event and to check on the availability of the Afton Driving Park. There is a schedule of events on our website. We hope to see more events being held at the Driving Park this year!
by Rhonda Barriger
The Afton Fair is looking for vendors who are interested in selling their goods from July 8th - July 12th, 2009. Our goal is to have a wide variety of food and goods available for our visitors. We are currently in need of vendors who provide unique food selections and crafters. If you are interested please visit our website at to download a vendor application and rules or submit our online form for more information.
by Barb Niles
The Afton Fair Board is hosting a community forum on Thursday, March 19th in the Susquehanna Room at the Afton Community Center. Join us to express your ideas on how we can improve the Afton Fair and make it more interesting to the Community. Refreshments will be served.
by Regina Birdsall
The Board of the Afton Driving Park is pleased to announce that promoters Dave and Joanne Rocket have agreed to bring back racing to Afton on Friday night under the name Afton Motor Speedway.
There will be practice runs on April 24 and the first day of racing will be May 1st. Racing will continue through September. Admission for the public will be $5.00 per person.
For more information on the schedule, rules and classes that will run please visit the Afton Motor Speedway website.
by Regina Birdsall
The Afton Driving Park has plenty of manure available for anyone who comes and loads it themselves. The manure pit is located at the south end of the Driving Park near the Horse and Cattle Barns.
We can load it for you by appointment on Saturday's only. We do charge a small fee of $10 for a pickup truck, $20 for a dump truck and $25 for a large dump truck. Please call the Driving Park Office at 639-1525 on Monday's Wednesday's or Friday's to set up an appointment to have manure loaded.
by Regina Birdsall
Panhandle is: Nate Gross, Craig Rogers, Ben Gross and Jeff Landry
© copyright, Panhandle, used with permissionThe schedule for the 88 BC/Afton Sertoma Stage is filling up with a number terrific bands and contests for the 2009 Afton Fair.
On Wednesday, July 8th the Miss Afton Fair Contest will be held. This contest is managed by Gillespie Pageants. It will begin at 2:00 PM with registration just prior. After the contest the Binghamton Steel Drum Band will perform on the stage from 6:00 PM to 7:00PM. At 8:00 PM, Panhandle, a country band from Oxford that performs original music, will perform. "A simple life creates a simple yet unique sound" says guitarist and singer Nate Gross. Panhandle is made from friends and brothers with nothing more than a desire to play real music for a long time together. Influenced by the sounds of classic country, folk, blues and rock-n-roll, they bring something new to the area. They have been known for their energetic live shows that fill every venue with intrigue and excitement. The band will be releasing their debut full length CD this spring and will be on tour in support of this album. For more information about Panhandle, please visit their website at: www.panhandleband.com.
The Route 66 Band will perform on Thursday, July 9th at 8:00 PM. They play a mix of Country and 50's/60's rock. They are regulars at the Cortland Country Music Park in Cortland NY and have played at the Afton Fair for the last few years. Other entertainment is being scheduled for earlier in the day.
Familiar Noise is: Shawn Foster, Brian Foster, Brian Wells, Dave Sickler and Ryan Berkley, (not pictured)
© copyright, Familiar Noise, used with permissionSouthern Rock Band Deuces Wild will start the entertainment on Friday, July 10th. Deuces Wild is a newly formed band of accomplished, local musicians. They will start at about 5:30 pm. They will be followed by local band Familiar Noise at about 8:30 PM. "What kind of music does Familiar Noise play?" The easiest answer to this question is "A little bit of everything." The more complex answer is that Familiar Noise is a melting pot of sounds ranging from rock, blues, a touch of reggae, and little bit of funk. Fans have said they play a little something for everyone. All of the members of Familiar Noise are skilled musicians and love to play. They are known for their ability to improvise and jam. Familiar Noise will perform songs from their 2008 "Simpler Times" CD, songs from the CD they are currently working on, "All the Silent Faces" and more. You can find out more about Familiar Noise at their website: www.familiarnoise.com.
A talent show is planned for Saturday afternoon from Noon until about 3:00 PM, followed immediately by the Afton Fair Baby Contest. There will be additional information about these contests released in the near future. Skyline with Cassidy Lynn will return on Saturday night at 8:00 PM. Cassidy Lynn is back from Nashville where she has been attending Mike Curb College of Music Business at Belmont University, and has recorded a demo CD. Over the last few years the band has opened for Emerson Drive, Jason Michael Carroll, Tommy Cash, Josh Gracin and others. Skyline with Cassidy Lynn opened for Bucky Covington in 2007 and Ashton Shepherd in 2008 at the Afton Fair. Visit Skyline with Cassidy Lynn on the web.
Don't forget to stop by the stage during your visit to the fair this year. All stage entertainment is free with paid admission at the gate. Visit our website to view the latest updates to our 2009 schedule.
by Regina Birdsall
Rev up your engines for the 2009 Afton Fair Demolition Derby! Bill and Rhonda Barriger will be organizing this years event which will be held on Sunday, July 12th at 3:00 PM and are looking for participants.
There will be a drivers meeting on Sunday, May 3rd at the Afton Driving Park to discuss the event. You can visit our website for updated information on the Demolition Derby.
by Regina Birdsall
Each year during The Afton Fair bikes are given away in a drawing. This year we will have one drawing each day for one boy's bike and one girl's bike. Tickets for the drawing will be available just before the drawing and only children age 2 through 10 can take part. Children must be present to win.
The time of the giveaway will vary from day to day. The giveaway schedule is posted on our website on our schedule page, will be available on brochures and flyers and will be announced during the fair. Best of luck to you!
Entertainment Committee
Rhonda Barriger, Regina Birdsall, Barb Niles and Peg Squire
Marketing Committee
Rhonda Barriger, Regina Birdsall, Peg Squire and Renee Webb
Grounds Maintenance
Sonny Barrett, Dennis Fletcher, Barb Niles, John Niles and Steve Willes
Newsletter Design and Production
Regina Birdsall
Harness Racing
Georgia Baker
Floral Hall Superintendent
Melanie Mueller
Office Hours:
Mon, Wed & Fri: 9:00am - noon
Phone/Fax: 607-639-1525
email
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© 2007 - 2009 Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association Inc.,
Design by Regina Birdsall, Last Updated Saturday, 16-May-2009 05:10:17 CDT
