A 1954 Ford tractor has pulled into Queens, and it’s ready to party…or at least branch out.
The Queens County Farm Museum presents its annual County Fair from Friday, Sept. 8, to Sunday, Sept. 10, this year.
This 40th agricultural festival features pie-eating and corn-husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides, games, crafts, food, entertainment, the Con Edison Ecology Booth, and surprises.
Speaking of surprises. It’s also opening weekend for the Amazing Maize Maze. Sponsored by Con Edison and donated by Brooklyn Botanic Garden, this corn labyrinth is shaped as a 1954 Ford tractor.
Ticket prices start at $15 with single, two-day, and three-day passes for sale.
On Sept. 8 at 6 pm, the weekend kicks off with a ribbon cutting and concert featuring Dr. K’s Motown Revue. East Coast Street Tacos will debut a limited-edition 40th Anniversary Apple Cider Margarita and souvenir cup.
Then over the weekend, the fair will run from 11 am to 6 pm.
Returning attractions include a Blue Ribbon Competition with six divisions: Arts & Crafts; Culinary Arts; Vegetables; Apiculture; Flower Arranging; and Horticulture. American Folk Art Museum Senior Educator Nicole Haroutunian will lead a panel of judges that includes lifestyle influencer Viveca Chow.
A main stage will host such artists as Fogo Azul, an all-women Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line; Louis Armstrong Eternity Band; The Bone Squad; Surya Botofasina Band; and MOMENTNYC: Tribute to Queens.
Head to the Family Entertainment Tent to see the NuTribe Dance Company, jugglers, and acrobats. The Shinbone Alley Stilt Band and Harold the Unicycle Clown will be around, too.
A Beer Garden will sell beer and cider curated by Queens Night Market, along with Queens Farm’s apple cider donuts and pies. Food vendors include Teriyaki Plus, C Bao Asian Buns, Tada Noodles, Tania’s Kitchen NYC, Our Green Acres Corn, Ed’s Italian Sausage & Polish, Long Island Seafood, Cousins Maine Lobster, Wafels & Dinges, and Kelli’s Funnel Cake.
Here are some new activations.
The Taste New York Pavilion will showcase New York State growers and producers.
A tractor exhibit will highlight the evolution of farming.
The Cabot Cheese Cruiser Cheese Truck will offer free mac ‘n’ cheese.
The Heartee Mushroom Vessel will organize mushroom tastings and provide recipes and educational materials.
The Colonial Lab at the Adriance Farmhouse will present historic house tours and demonstrations such as butter churning, colonial cooking, and quill writing.
The Lewis Latimer House Museum’s mobile lab will lead free STEAM activities.
The Arts Parlor will offer free face painting, caricatures, farm-themed temporary tattoos, and the Growing Artists Challenge, during which youngsters draw farm animals for the chance to be featured in Queens Farm maps and signage in partnership with Commonpoint Queens.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater Puppet Mobile will be on site on Sunday.
Queens Farm’s entrance is at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Glen Oaks. The venue has a large, parking lot.
Images: Queens Farm