ALTAMONT — Altamont is one of nine county fairs that will be affected by the New York State Fair’s recently announced expansion from a 13-day to an 18-day schedule. The new start date of the State Fair — Aug. 21, 2020 — will now coincide with the Friday of Altamont’s Fair Week.

The Altamont Fair will run from Aug. 18 to 23 this year while the state fair runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.

But having the state and some county fairs running concurrently is nothing new. Dave Bullard, a spokesman for the State Fair, told The Enterprise through email that the State Fair has “overlapped six county fairs for many years.”

Pat Canaday, the Altamont Fair’s treasurer, said that contracts with vendors have been in place for some time but her concern is with the competitions and exhibits that, for example, the 4-H kids participate in, because they move on from the county fairs to State Fair. 

“So now, what will happen? Will they have to leave early? We have to make sure our kids are accommodated,” Canaday said.

Bullard said that the State Fair has agreed to hold off its agricultural and 4-H competitions “until after the overlap period so that all who would want to participate could do so.”

As for what will happen with vendors beyond this upcoming summer, Canaday said that’s a conversation the fair’s managers will have to have with vendors. 

The Altamont Fair serves three counties: Albany, Schenectady, and Greene.

The Great New York State Fair takes place in Syracuse, 130 miles from Altamont.