Posted by Joe Barnes on July 29th, 2008

Bryan McKenzie’s article in the Daily Progress highlights some the issues of having “a rural, agrarian-based cultural affair located in a community that’s becoming ever more urban and urbane” and how it “must work hard to stay relevant”.  Bundoran Farm is proud to once again be the host site of the Albemarle County Fair, a local institution which celebrates the heritage and future of agriculture in the region. In order to appeal to both the urban and rural parts of Albemarle County, the Fair has something for everybody. This year the fair offers contests to amuse city dwellers and country cousins alike, from hot dog-eating competitions to husband-calling contests. There will be domestic skills and craft demonstrations. They will be mixed with seminars that reflect changing trends in the county, including tips on training horses and a llama and alpaca competition sanctioned by the Alpaca-Llama Show Association. Competitions among the growing ranks of county viticulturists and home beer brewers are also on tap.The Fair is also looking to the future by reaching out to local 4-H groups. “The 4-H influence will likely continue to grow as gas prices send up food prices and people turn to gardens and small plot farming. Advice for both can be found at the Fair.”For the full article visit http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/opinion/columnists_bryan_mckenzie/article/a_changing_county_calls_for_a_reinvented_fair/25375For more information about the Albemarle County Fair — visit http://www.albemarlecountyfair.com

Filed under: Agriculture, Bundoran Farm Events and Occasions, Education and Inspiration