RBF Rodeo kicks butt at Columbia County Fair

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Bull riding is part of the grand finale at this year’s Columbia County Fair, when the professional RBF Rodeo puts on an amazing show in front of the grandstands.
This year the Columbia County Fair has saved some of its best entertainment for last. Closing night, RBF Rodeo performs the grand finale in front of the grandstands. Starting at 7 p.m. on Labor Day, this genuine rodeo delivers the non-stop excitement of twisting, bucking masses of muscle. Swaggering professional cowboys wrangle, tangle, ride, and buck their way through the ring, scored by sharp-eyed judges. These brave riders try to stay straddled on a huge Brahma-cross bull that weighs close to a ton and is bred for its fiery, fighting, bucking abilities. Come check out why rodeos are becoming such a popular attraction here in the East. See what this heart-pounding sport is all about. The RBF Rodeo also offers a lighter side. Wild Cow Milking makes audiences ache with laughter as grown men chase cows that can be even more ornery than the bulls. And for young cowpokes in the audience, there's Mutton Bustin' and Sheep Dollar Catches. The RBF Rodeo fair debut is sponsored by The Independent and offers a great reason to be sure not to miss the final day. Labor Day starts off with an Open Horse Show at 9 a.m. that runs till mid-afternoon, with almost three dozen classes, welcoming both English and Western riders, adults as well as youngsters. For those who appreciate an old-fashioned farm contest, the Antique Tractor Pull also gets under way at 9 on Labor Day and goes till mid-afternoon. And everyday, the 4-H exhibits and contests during which youngsters show their farm animals, pets and varied skills are always fun to watch. Farms on display The large agricultural components of the fair also include a huge sheep show as well as poultry, cattle and dairy cow shows-a "Simply Country" county fair. And this year will see the New Face of Farming exhibit that debuted last year double in size. With the backing of the Berkshire Taconic Foundation's Green Pastures Fund and organized by the director of the Real Food Network, this exhibition highlights the county's organic farmers, Community Support Agriculture, and other new farming and food ventures. Fair-goers can learn directly from some of these farmers how they are managing to create and sustain new viable, small family farms. Plantings on Parade The Garden Clubs have put together beautiful displays for years, and the Horticulture Program at Berkshire Farm Services and Center for Youth designs and builds a more and more elaborate plant exhibit each year. This year is no different. But for the first time, the fair is also opening the grounds to area landscapers, florists and nurseries to put together outdoor displays. Homeowners and gardeners will enjoy wandering the fairgrounds and seeing the artful gardens of Edelweiss Farm, Butternut Creek Farm, Dandelion Design, Dunbar Nursery and Crazy Daisy Florist, adorning some of the buildings. Once fair-goers have browsed the photo gallery and all the exhibits and seen the animals up-close, they can then hear some great live music at one of several venues-from country music star Aaron Tippin to bluesman Ernie Williams, gospel singers the Judah Band, the ever-popular community Ghent Band as well as hear show tunes by the Ghent Playhouse Players and hear rock 'n roll from several decades. They can watch some smokin', grindin' bang-em-up motor madness, enjoy a cold beer or down a hot meal, and check out a dog agility show, gymnastics demonstration, pony vaulting show or watch the annual Fireman's Parade. Amusements of America runs more than 30 rides, some sure to please the most adventurous thrill-seeker. The five-day fair runs from Thursday, September 2 through Labor Day, September 6. Admission is $8 every day except Sunday, when it is $10. It includes all stage entertainment-a great family value. Children 12 and under are free. Discounted advance tickets of $6 each are good all five days. They are available now by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 257, Chatham, NY 12037. Checks should be made out to Columbia County Agricultural Society and include a phone number, in case there is a question. Youth Day with free admission for ages 18 and under until 4 p.m. is Thursday. The fair entrance is on Route 66. Handicapped parking is available. For schedule and other details, visit www.columbiafair.com. For information call (518) 392-2121. Sponsors are: Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation, The Independent, National Union Bank of Kinderhook, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson Valley Newspapers, Hudson Valley Orthopedic Associates, Taconic Technology Corp., Davis Tractor and Turf, Stan Martin Ford, R.H. VanAlstyne Fine Jewelry, First Niagara Bank, Wildflower Horse Treats, St. Lawrence Cement, Chatham-Claverack-Millerton Agway, Pepsi Cola Bottling Group, W&B Golf Carts, Price Chopper Markets. Columbia County Fair - Community Events Listing Sept. 2 Youth Day 18 and under admitted free till 4 p.m. Midway ride pass $15 KJ Gymnastics noon & 4 pm Old Chatham Pony Club Horse Vaulting 2 pm Hat Contest Parade 5 pm Judah Band 2 & 7 Demolition Derby 6:30 pm Sept. 3 $1 per ride for all rides noon till 3 p.m.; then $12 midway ride pass 5 p.m. to closing Dog Agility Show noon Hot Dog Eating Contest noon Pie Eating Contest 2 pm Hill Country Cloggers 4 & 6 pm Demolition Derby 6:30 pm Fossil Rock 8 & 10 pm Sept. 4 Midway ride pass $15 54th Annual Firefighters Parade noon King of the Forest 2 & 9 pm Ernie Williams 4 & 7 pm Monster Tractor Pull 7 pm Sept. 5 Ghent Playhouse Players 2 & 7 pm Aaron Tippin 3 & 8:30 pm The Overtures 4 & 9 pm Schoolgirl Queen Crowned 7 pm Sept. 6 Midway ride pass $15 ($13 with McDonald's coupon) Open Horse Show 9 am on Antique Tractor Pull 9 am on Ghent Band noon & 4 pm Columbia Bandstand 7 pm RBF Rodeo with bull riding 7 pm Regular features: Amusements of America midway rides; 150 exhibits and 4-H exhibits; blue ribbon livestock competitions; craft demonstrations daily; flower & garden exhibits; quilt show; popular petting zoo; DJ in Beer Garden pavilion nightly; lots of food from fried dough to 4-H milk shakes, from roast beef sandwiches to sausage & peppers; youngsters show farm animals Dates: Thursday, September 2 through Monday, September 6 (Labor Day), 9 am-11 pm daily Location: Route 66, Chatham, NY Admission $8 includes parking & entertainment; $10 Sunday. Advance sale $6. Children 12 & under free. Information www.columbiafair.com or call (518) 392-2121
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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