KEENE IDOL PARTICIPANTS QUALIFY FOR IDOL SHOW AT THE FAIR

The Keene Idol qualifying show was held at Keene Central School on July 12. This is the first year for the Essex County Fair to hold the Idol Contest. The show was a success and paved the road for future contests.

This competition was open to any individual, any age, who resides within 45 miles of Keene Valley, NY and did not compete at the Ti Idol Contest. The top five contestants of each age group from Keene and Ti will compete on Friday, August 15Th at 7 p.m. on the grandstand stage at the Essex County Fair Idol Contest. Thirty people will perform for this event. Don't miss out on the fun. Come and support your favorite singer.


Time allowed for contestants to sing their favorite song, hear the judges comments and then come back and do the second selection they had brought for a tie breaker. Kaitlin and Aaron Diskin winners from the Ti Idol Contest were quest performers. Thank you to the all participants for being willing to come on stage and sing. You did a great job!

Trophys and award money were presented to the first through third place winners. Junior Division: first place-Haley Pierce from Willsboro; Teen Division: first place-Caitlyn Reynolds from Keene; Adult Division: first place-Alyssa Rusio from Ausable Forks, second place-Tara Diskin from Ticonderoga, Third place-Kathleen Shadows. Congratulations to each of you.

Thank you to Jim Ratliff for who was announcer for the evening, Russell Feher, sound man, and the Keene Central School for giving us access to their wonderful auditorium. A special thank you goes to board member, Bertha Rand who persevered to get the Idol on the program of The Essex County Fair.

Appreciation goes to KV Idol sponsors: The Essex County Fair, Champlain National Bank, LeRoy Crowningshield- Willsboro Lawn Furniture, Stop DWI, Elizabethtown Community Hospital and the Town of Keene.

History of the Essex County Fair

The first Essex County-Clinton County Fair was organized by Elkanah Watson in 1848. It was held on the Port Kent Road, on the plains east of the Town of Keeseville. The most important event was horse racing, which is still a component of the fair. In 1850, Essex and Clinton Counties separated and the Essex County Fair moved to Elizabethtown where it was held annually until 1865. In 1865, the fair committee decided to move the fair to Westport where it would be closer to the lake. They hoped that the accessibility of lake transportation would boost attendance. For fifteen years land was rented south of town for $150. However, during the period 1885-1889, various parcels were purchased by the Essex County Agricultural Society for $1,500 to form the present grounds. An additional $1,700 was spent to erect the track and buildings. Many buildings have been added to the fairgrounds since then. The Grand Stand and the Agricultural Center were built just after the turn of the century. The many 4-H barns were constructed by volunteers over the years since 4-H began in 1941. In 1985 the historic structures on the fairground were inventoried for the New York State Parks and Recreation Division for Historic Preservation. In 2004 Floral Hall was completely renovated keeping its historic look.