Tri-State Fair Still Seeks Sponsorships

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Pownal, Vt. - With only a month left to plan, the organizers of the Tri-State Fair are hoping some last-minute major sponsors will help defray the costs of coordinating the five-day family fun event. “We’re looking at big numbers,” said John Mills, one of the Knights of Columbus volunteers coordinating the fair. “We desperately need major sponsors.” Along with partner Joseph DiFusco, Mills is helping finalize the plans for the fair which will take place August 15-19 at the Green Mountain Park on Route 7. The event will feature a petting zoo, live music, amusement park-style rides, vendors from New York, Massachusetts and Vermont and a series of demonstrations including a horse show and demolition derby. All of the amusement rides will be provided by Dreamland Amusements. Along with the traditional ferris wheel and other carnival rides, Dreamland will bring some family favorites to the Tri-State Fair, including a carousel and bumper cars. Providing the rides for the fair for eight years, Mills and DiFusco have come to rely on Dreamland's expertise. "These guys are just amazing," said DiFusco. The Knights of Columbus are a national non-profit fraternal order whose primary goal is to provide financial aid to needy members of the community. The Tri-State Fair is a collaboration of several upstate New York Knights of Columbus Councils working to aid those in the community. “We want to be able to step up and say ‘We can help.’ That’s what it’s all about,” said DiFusco. “That’s what makes us feel good.” “Anything we take in, we give out. Anything that we try and do is going to go back into the community,” said Mills, who stated that the Knights of Columbus distributed $125 million in funds worldwide last year. Though the pair are concerned about the lack of major sponsors, organizing the fair has been a positive experience altogether. “Under the circumstances, I think we’ve done a great job,” said Mills. “Nothing this big has been attempted in the Tri-State area.” Parties interested in becoming sponsors should contact DiFusco at JDiFusco@taconic.net. Also, this week, Mills and DiFusco finalized the schedule of events for the fair. It is as follows: Tri-State Fair Full Schedule of Events (All Times Approximate) Wednesday, August 15 (Special: $20 per car or bus load of people) All rides provided by Dreamland Amusements 3 p.m. - Grand Opening 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Midway opens Dreamland Amusements 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Barnyard Petting Zoo and Pony Rides - Inside and Outside Vendors - Food Booths - North Cairo Clowns 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Hot Air Balloon Rides (for an additional cost) 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Music by Champagne Jam Thursday, August 16 1 p.m. to 11 pm. - Fair Opens - Petting Zoo and Pony Rides - Inside and Outside Vendors - Food Vendors - North Cairo Clowns 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Music by Christian Rock ensemble 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Mud Bog 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Music provided by DJ - “Moose” Friday, August 17 1 p.m. to 11 pm. - Fair Opens - Petting Zoo and Pony Rides - Inside and Outside Vendors - Food Vendors - North Cairo Clowns 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Music by Champagne Jam 7 p.m. - Demolition Derby Saturday, August 18 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. - Street Legal Truck Pulls - four classes 1 p.m. to 11 pm. - Fair Opens - Petting Zoo and Pony Rides - Inside and Outside Vendors - Food Vendors - North Cairo Clowns 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Lively Livery’s American Cream Draft Horse Wagon Demonstrations: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Center Stage: Music by “Higher Ground” 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Cruzin - Old and Specialty Car Show 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Music by DJ Rich Ryder 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament with $1,000+ cash prize * Fireworks Display* Sunday, August 19 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Open Horse Show 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Petting Zoo and Pony Rides - Inside and Outside Vendors - Food Booths - North Cairo Clowns 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Tractor Pull DiFusco and Mills also said that the Army and Army National Guard will host a 180 foot obstacle course during the fair and Mohegan Sun casino will be on hand to give away promotional items.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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