Country Fair at Tilly Foster Farm, July 3rd-July 6th
MaryEllen Odell
Putnam County Executive
(845) 808-1001
June 11, 2014
July Country Fair at Tilly Foster Farm
It’s definitely going to be stay-cation time in Putnam once area schools close and the Tilly Foster Country Fair comes to town in time for the long 4th of July weekend.
The fair, which is being sponsored by the county, Putnam County Tourism, Homestyle Caterers and the Putnam County Golf Course, will open at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 and run through Sunday, July 6. Easy viewing of the 9:30 p.m. July 4th Town of Southeast fireworks show at the Highlands Shopping Center comes with the price of admission to the farm and parking – it is free.
A full-fledged carnival will be held in the front pasture along Route 312 during the Country Fair. Think carousels and Ferris wheels, roller coasters and tilt-a-whirls, bumper cars and bouncy houses. And don’t forget all those skill-challenging games of chance. Homestyle Catering will provide food concessions and offer better-than-carnival fare in the area beyond the farm buildings and across the entrance road. There will also be live music and entertainment provided daily along with a variety of specialty vendors who will be selling their wares.
“We are so looking forward to opening our beautiful Tilly Foster Farm once again to the public for this special holiday weekend,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “I personally invite every resident, young and old, to have the time of their lives – and to participate in the best 4th of July Putnam has ever seen.”
Safety, of course, will be a major priority during the four-day event and several county departments are already working closely with the Sheriff’s Office as plans are put into place.
Sgt. Frank Christian, among the law enforcement officers participating in the pre-planning process, assured Deputy County Executive Bruce Walker that police will be on the grounds of the former dairy and horse-breeding farm day and night, on foot and in vehicles.
“There will be a very visible police and Emergency Medical Services presence during the fair,” Christian said. “We will be there to provide assistance in case of any kind of emergency. We are already anticipating there will be, especially on July 4th, a great many people coming out to the farm to enjoy the carnival and to stay to see the fireworks. And we’re ready.”
Earlier in the week at a planning session, Walker mentioned that state and Southeast safety regulations prohibit open flame grilling and open alcohol containers for the duration of the event.
“There will be designated areas around the food concession area for people to socialize but there will be no tailgating permitted anywhere on the grounds at the farm,” he said.
“These are important safety issues and we will be strictly enforcing them,” said Christian. “After, all, we want everyone who attends to be assured that their safety is foremost on our minds.”
Roads, fields and trails at Tilly Foster Farm are being prepped and light towers will be in place to illuminate pedestrian pathways and parking areas.
For updated information on the Tilly Foster Farm Country Fair, and to see a map of the fairgrounds, visit the Tourism website at: visitputnam.org/countryfair or putnamcountyny.com.
