RHINEBECK – Members of the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce Wednesday heard about farming, agriculture and today’s food options as they helped kick off the 2024 session of the Dutchess County Fair with a special breakfast event on Wednesday.
The breakfast, held at the fairgrounds, provided attendees with a sneak peek at the exciting new offerings and attractions this year.
The crisp morning brought out community and business leaders along with chamber members to hear about gluten-free food options, virtual reality technology used in the harvest process and the work done by the junior fair board.
“We have a virtual reality headset with a tractor so they can either harvest soybeans or transplant peppers. And then we also have plans to go into classrooms in the coming year and do an activity with youth about farming on a small scale, planting something and then talking them through the process of growing. And we’re hoping to do something edible so we can kind of teach them a little bit about farm to table,” said Mariel Mustello, a member of the newly formed junior fair board.
Dutchess County Fair General Manager Andy Imperiati outlined the new gluten-free options offered by one new food vendor. “There’s funnel cakes, there’s corn dogs, there’s chicken tenders, they’re fried Oreos and they’re gluten free,” said Imperiati.
For those who have a problem deciding exactly what to eat at the fair, chamber executive director Nancy Sheehan offered this tongue and cheek advice. “It looks like it is going to be perfect fair weather. Great eating weather, so make sure that you try your favorite fair foods. If there are too many fair foods to try, then you just need to come back a few more days,” said Sheehan.
Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and 1980s heartthrob Rick Springfield will play the fair on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information go to dutchessfair.com.