So you’ve missed the opening-day singing of our National Anthem by the three Phoenicia-based opera stars, as well as the Hot Rod Band, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Never thee mind; the rest is yet to come at the Ulster County Fair outside of New Paltz, which is offering major deals to senior citizens this Thursday, August 5, and is still awaiting mainstage shows by Cook and Belle, Stealing Angels and Jay and the Americans before it closes up on Sunday evening.

There are all the livestock displays, for example, from gymkhanas and horse-pulls to racing pigs and plenty of examples of expert (as well as budding) animal husbandry. There’s a constant petting zoo, as well as all the petting opportunities rampant on the Ferris wheels and whirling-dervish rides of the Fair’s always-popular Midway. There are a daily Magic Circus, the Sheriff’s Museum, chainsaw and karate demonstrations (the latter two not at the same time), plus enough food to raise your cholesterol and the superb Master Gardeners’ area for anyone looking for planting tips. There are wool demonstrations, cooking and canning results, a glimpse into the future (always fun!) and an overall look back into the roots of our county in an agricultural history. Talk about down-home fun, with a bit of thrill offered by both those aforementioned Midway’s rides and carnies.

Gates, buildings and Midway open at 10 a.m. each day, then close at 10 p.m. on Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission includes free parking, free entertainment and some free rides; and with over 12,000 slots for cars, it’s verrrry unlikely that you’ll get turned away (unless, of course, all those wedding guests from across the river hang around, call in their full families and decide to spend the week riding the Scrambler and crowding the 4H contests).

It all takes place through Sunday at the County Fairgrounds at 249 Libertyville Road, just southwest of New Paltz. For further information call (845) 255-1380 or visit www.ulstercountyfair.com.