The first time I ever went to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, I fell in love with all of the history and sense of tradition throughout the grounds. While they, of course, continue to modernize, they are working hard to keep tradition alive.

Earlier this week, they celebrated something new with lots of reminders of the past as they held a ribbon cutting for their new, main entrance to the fairgrounds. It's been in the planning stages for the past few years, because once the entrances of the parking lot were redone, they were getting people into the parking lot faster than they could process them through the gate.

Anthony Verano
Anthony Verano
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So, they built this structure, which makes it easy to see the entrance to the fairgrounds, and everything is now modern and high-tech. They have newly installed machines and a fiber-optic system that can process a ticket every second.

Anthony Verano
Anthony Verano
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The building itself was built with all Dutchess county vendors, save one. It’s designed to replicate an early 1900’s barn. When you walk through this year, make sure you look up because the chandeliers are custom, hand-made by fairground staff from old John Deere tractor parts and new led Edison bulbs.

Anthony Verano
Anthony Verano
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The new structure now sits surrounded by new landscaping thanks to The Phantom Gardener in Rhinebeck and includes a new performance stage when you first walk onto the fairgrounds.

Anthony Verano
Anthony Verano
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It will make it’s official debut this weekend with the Rhinebeck Car show, and you’ll be able to see it firsthand when you come to the Northeast Outdoor Sports show, May 20 and 21 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.

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