ALTAMONT — The Altamont Fair will host its first Harvest and Wine Festival, at the fairgrounds on Sept. 21 and 22.

“We are working hard to bring back the tried-and-true tradition that once was here, only better,” said Amy Anderson, the fair manager, in a release from the fair.

An apple festival that started decades ago at Altamont Orchards moved to the fairgrounds as it grew, and then evolved into the Capital Apple & Wine Festival before its newest incarnation this fall.

“We are creating a fun family event that includes all ages as well as the opportunity for adults to enjoy tasting the best in wine, spirits, and cider,” Anderson went on.

Karen Sullivan of Maisie’s Events and Catering will give cooking demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday at noon. Greg Giorigo will give a wine-tasting class in which participants will sample two wines on Saturday and Sunday at both 2 and 4 p.m. All classes are limited to 25.

Live music will be provided on Saturday by Joe Adee and the Lugnuts, and on Sunday by Tame the Rooster and Big Sky Country.

Food for sale throughout the festival includes lobster and chicken pitas, as well as fair food staples.

The free kids’ area will include bouncy houses, a hay maze, face-painting, and draft horse-drawn wagon rides as well as a spooky Haunted Farmhouse. The farm animal petting zoo is hosted by Cooperative Extension of Albany County.

Whispering Willow Wild Care will display live birds of prey.

Kids can try archery, shooting eight arrows for $2. Games can be played for a dollar each, and gem mining costs $5. Balloon art and painting pumpkins will be offered for a donation.

The Country Store will sell pumpkins, gourds and fall produce and the Craft Show includes a variety of local artisans.

The festival is partnering with Steve Caporizzo's Pet Connection so that festival-goers who contribute a pet food item will receive $1 off the gate admission. Pet food donations will go to the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville.

****

The festival, at Arlington Street at Route 146 in Altamont, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.mn.on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Admission is $10 for festival-goers age 16 years and older, and free for anyone younger with a paid adult. A two-day admission ticket is $15. Admission tickets are available at the gate and online at www.altamontfair.com.

Tickets to the Tasting Area, for which identification is required, cost $8, and allow the ticket holder to sample a variety of wines, spirits, and ciders in a commemorative tasting glass.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer