Are You Ready for the County Fair & 4-H Showcase?

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Get ready for a weekend of classic cars, milkshakes, dog demonstrations, a rubber duck race, pony rides – and so much more!

The annual Putnam County Fair & 4-H Showcase is set to bring two days of family-friendly entertainment and educational exhibits to Putnam. The event will be held Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Road.

“The Fair & 4-H Showcase celebrates the best of our local community and the incredible potential of our youth,” said Stefanie Hubert, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension-Putnam County. “By bringing together nonprofit organizations, diverse food and craft vendors, and attendees from children to adults, the fair creates meaningful connections, strengthens the community, and celebrates the timeless spirit of summer in Putnam County.”

CCE’s 4-H Youth Program features engaging demonstrations, educational exhibits, creative projects, and animal showmanship. Fairgoers can also enjoy games and crafts, 4-H milkshakes and lemonade. CCE Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to share expert advice, and the Putnam Pollinator Pathway team will showcase a living pollinator garden display.

CCE 4-H clubs will display educational exhibits, present archery demonstrations, offer puppet performances, lead a SPHERO robot obstacle course, and show horsemanship.

In addition to the 4-H showcase, attendees can indulge in a variety of offerings, from food trucks to inflatables and games for kids, and browse unique items from craft vendors. At the dog park, fairgoers will be wowed by the canine demonstrations by the New York State Police K9 Unit and Von Wolfenfels K9.

Bill Hammond will serve as emcee for the weekend, with a lineup of bands taking the stage, including Not Tuna, Dos Bills & Friends, Classic Rock Euphoria, Basement by the Lake, Cross Purpose, Lakeside Harmony Chorus, and Guardian Revival Veterans. The highly anticipated NY Cruisers Car Show will take place Saturday, with a rain date of Sunday.

The event will culminate with the annual duck derby, hosted by CCE. Want to adopt a duck and take part in the race? Visit http://weblink.donorperfect.com/DD25.

“I am thrilled to welcome back residents and visitors alike to the fair,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “My administration has added new features to this year’s two-day event, including a special journey back in time to our Revolutionary-era past, complete with reenactors and local history exhibits. Best of all, admission and parking are always free.”

This year will also mark the county’s kick-off of Revolutionary Putnam County, part of a nationwide celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026. In the new History Pavilion, there will be colonial fair experiences including storytelling by Jonathan Kruk, reenactor encampments from the New York 4th Regiment and New York 5th Regiment, and authentic Revolutionary War music and the living history staff of East Fishkill Historical Society.

Don’t miss meeting members of local historical societies and museums as well as the chance to catch Karl Rohde, Vietnam veteran, Silver Star recipient, and director of the county’s Veterans Service Agency, in his one-man show, “With No Name on the Marquee.”

“This is an exciting year at the fair as we launch Revolutionary Putnam County,” said Putnam Historian Jennifer Cassidy. “We’re proud to offer a larger, more engaging presence that brings local history to life through immersive experiences, storytelling, reenactments, and the voices of those who preserve our past.”

If you’re a student needing community service hours or an adult who enjoys lending a hand, consider volunteering at the fair. Sign up at https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/web-admin/app/#/join-party?k=c4ec07vmddf6ej.

For more information, visit cceputnamcounty.org, email putnam@cornell.edu, or call 845-278-6738.