Fairgrounds ready to welcome people for Home Show, eclipse events

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2024 at 8:48 am

Fireworks tonight around 8 caps today’s activities

Photos by Tom Rivers: Natalie Ricci (left), senior administrative assistant at the Cornell Cooperative Extensive, and Katie Oakes, horticulture educator, show the eclipse-themed T-shirts and a tote bag that will be available at the Fairgrounds the next three days.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds expects to be a busy place today through Monday with many eclipse-themed activities to help people get ready for Monday’s total eclipse in the afternoon.

The fairgrounds also is hosting the Chamber of Commerce’s Home Garden & Outdoor Show. That event include vendors today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be food vendors for that show, highlighted by a chicken barbecue today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza on Sunday.

The eclipse events today include kids’ activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a S’More Party at 6 p.m. presented by Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, a cowboy sing-along hour and then fireworks at around 8 p.m.

On Sunday, there will be kids’ activities during the day, a campfire sing-a-long and S’Mores from 7 to 9 p.m., and then a glow stick party with a DJ at 8:30 p.m.

On Monday, there will be daytime kids’ activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including samples of astronaut food. Food vendors will be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The partial eclipse starts at 2:04 p.m. and goes until 4:30 p.m. with totality from 3:18 to 3:22.

The Extension has eclipse glasses available “until they run out,” said Robert Batt, the Extension director.

Erica “Joan” Wanecski, left, and Eileen Sorochty get the master gardeners display ready on Friday. The master gardeners are among the vendors during this weekend’s Home Garden & Outdoor Show.