To the Editor:

Each year, the managers of the Altamont Fair put a tremendous amount of time and energy into creating a fun-filled family event. But as this summer’s fair approaches, we worry that the sale of certain items on its grounds may detract from their goal of building community.

In 2019, vendors at dozens of county fairs across New York State are still allowed to display and sell pro-slavery Confederate flags.

These racist battle flags represent terror and oppression, and have been banned by Walmart, Amazon, and the New York State Fair accordingly. The good news is that every year, more and more fairs are taking action to stamp out this abominable practice.

In recent months, fair boards in numerous communities — including the Binghamton and Ithaca areas — have bravely implemented measures to prevent vendors from profiteering off of Confederate paraphernalia. Now it’s time for the Capitol Region to follow suit!

If prohibited items such as pornography and alcohol aren’t permitted, neither should white supremacy. In our increasingly divisive political climate, the county fair should be a place that brings all people together — not a forum for promoting hate.

At their next meeting, the fair managers ought to adopt a strong policy explicitly ending the sale of such destructive merchandise at this important community event.

Christopher Hanna

Monroe County

Todd Dreyer

Chenango County 

Sarah Goldstein

Columbia County 

Editor’s note: Amy Anderson, manager for the Altamont Fair, which serves Albany, Greene, and Schenectady counties, responded: “The Altamont Fair is proud to serve the people of our community by providing a quality family oriented event that celebrates their talents, history, and diversity. As a public event, we operate under the guise of the law. It is our mission to provide a positive entertainment experience for every guest, and we strive to ensure all are welcomed and invited. We recognize that there are many different viewpoints, ALL protected by our Constitution. The Altamont Fair practices tolerance and inclusion and does not take a stand on political issues."