MORRIS _ First-time visitors to the Otsego County Fair and multi-generational families of fair-goers took in the sights, sounds and smells of the event's first day Tuesday.
The weather was clear and warm. After a slight chance of thunderstorms today, the rest of the week should have some of the driest and sunniest weather seen so far this summer, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are forecast to be in the 70s.
Attendance Tuesday was estimated at about 9,000, said fair manager Judy Harris late Tuesday night as fireworks were set off over the fairgrounds.
"It's pretty decent," Harris said, noting it was slightly lower than last year. "We're happy with it."
The nice weather in the forecast should be favorable for attendance throughout the fair's run, she said.
"It's a beautiful day for the fair," said Lillian Lindberg of Cooperstown, who said she was checking to see what was new this year with her daughter and grandchildren as they walked toward the midway.
Lindbeg's grandson Luke Bartlett, 7, of Springfield, said he was looking forward to the rides _ but not the really scary ones _ and eating some blooming onions.
Eric and Rachael Bushnell of Oneonta pushed their 21/2-year-old daughter, Natalie, toward the Birds of Prey demonstration by the Page Wildlife Center.
Their daughter, Natalie, is still a little too young for rides, her father said.
"She likes to see the animals," Eric Bushnell said.
But she is not too young for sweet summertime drinks.
"She was definitely looking forward to the lemonade," her mother said.
Natalie's father said going to the fair is a tradition. "We enjoy it," he said.
Cynthia Page, owner and operator of Page Wildlife Center, said she enjoys coming to the Otsego County Fair to put on her presentation, which included several species of owls, hawks, falcons and even a turkey vulture.
"It's such a great thing to be a part of," Page said. "It's the nicest group of people."
Page's presentation is sponsored by the Otsego County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
The federation's section of the fairgrounds includes several exhibits on wildlife, trapping, hunting and fishing.
Audience member Clay Miller, 7, of Sidney, helped Page demonstrate the best way to deal with baby birds that have fallen from their nests.
After the demonstration, Clay said he especially likes the owls.
"I like the little one," said Clay's brother, Davis, 5, referring to the American kestrel, also known as a sparrow hawk.
For the brothers and their mother, Judy Miller, it was their first time at the Otsego County Fair.
"This is a really nice fair," she said. "It's very educational for the children."
Today's highlights include the 4-H Gymkhana horse show at 9 a.m. and the street stock four-wheel drive truck pull at 7:30 p.m.
Other highlights include:
Thursday
Noon _ Draft horse pull; 1 p.m. _ Class on milking cows; 7:30 p.m. _ Total destruction demo derby.
Friday
9:30 a.m. _ 4-H and open dairy shows; 3 p.m. _ Skip West, family entertainment; 7:30 p.m. _ Tractor pull.
Saturday
7 p.m. _ BMX bicycle freestyle show, followed by team demolition derby.
Sunday
1 p.m. _ Dessert contest; 6 p.m. _ Total destruction demolition derby.
More information is available at www.otsegocountyfair.org or by calling 263-5289.
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