Columbia County Fairgrounds

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Columbia County Fairgrounds, located in Chatham, New York, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.


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Summary

The fairgrounds host a variety of events throughout the year, including the Columbia County Fair, craft fairs, car shows, and more.

One of the main draws to the fairgrounds is the Columbia County Fair, which takes place in late August and features agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, live music, and a wide variety of food vendors. Other events at the fairgrounds include the annual Pumpkin Walk in October, which features thousands of illuminated pumpkins, and the Northeast Iron Pour, a unique art event that showcases the process of melting and pouring iron.

Visitors to the fairgrounds can also explore the historic buildings on the property, including the 19th-century Columbia County Agricultural Society Museum, which features exhibits on local farming history and memorabilia from past fairs.

Interesting facts about the area include that the fairgrounds have been in operation since the mid-19th century and were once used as a Civil War training ground. The fairgrounds have also been used as a filming location for several movies, including the 2014 film "The Humbling" starring Al Pacino.

The best time of year to visit the Columbia County Fairgrounds depends on individual interests, but the Columbia County Fair in late August is a popular choice for families and those interested in agriculture and carnival rides. Other events, such as craft fairs and car shows, take place throughout the year and can be found on the fairgrounds' website.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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