The judging process at the fair can seem opaque, but it actually encourages entrants to do a job well.

Eating through the Altamont Fair is a great way to see the sights. From nachos to Jamaican food to wine slushies, fair food moves with the times while still offering classics like funnel cakes and barbecue.

Teams of Belgian draft horses, owned by Kurt Johnson of Knox, will pull around the grounds some of the big wagons owned by the fair that have not been taken out in years.

The old machine has been tucked over in the back corner of a barn on the Altamont fairgrounds for years now, according to volunteer Andy Tinning.

Teams of Belgian draft horses, owned by Kurt Johnson of Knox, will pull around the grounds some of the big old wagons owned by the fair that have not been taken out in years.

Fran Hahn, who loves her library book club, collects books all year long — from garage sales and friends — to give away for free during Fair Week to people who visit the one-room schoolhouse on the fairgrounds.

ALTAMONT — Alan Casline is a poet; he thinks in metaphors.

He likens poets reading at the Altamont Fair to a hummingbird — “aerodynamically and scientifically proven to be unable to fly but no one told the humming bird.”

He asks, “How many county fairs feature poetry?  How many do so for 29 straight years?”

Popular bands will perform on the Northrup Stage and in the Grange building afternoons and evenings, allowing music fans on either side of the fairgrounds plenty of chances to enjoy some tunes.

Meghan Cahill's platform for the competition — empowering women through self-defense — was sparked by a scary, late-night encounter at college.

GUILDERLAND — Because of avian flu in the other parts of the country, New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets announced Tuesday the state is banning all live fowl competitions.