Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the 181st Columbia County Fair begins at noon Aug. 31, and runs through Sept. 5. All of the attractions that bring visitors to the fair are back this year, including the midway, hundreds of exhibits and food vendors, entertainment at multiple fair locations and lots of farm animals. The entertainment at the main grandstand includes two nights of the demolition derby, on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, and the monster tractor pull on Sept. 3. On Sept. 4, the Association takes the stage in the afternoon and former lead vocalist for Journey, Steve Augeri performs in the early evening. The North Gate Stage also provides continuous entertainment through the fair’s six-day run, including Columbia County’s Got Talent, featuring dozens of local performers. Other fair attractions for all ages include the racing pigs, the petting zoo, and Circus Incredible. The first Columbia County Fair was held in the city of Hudson on October 12, 1841, a year after the Columbia County Agriculture Society was formed. In 1852, officials announced the fair would be held for the first time in Chatham Four Corners, which later become known as the Columbia County Fairgrounds when 15 acres were purchased from a man identified only as “Mr. Bullis” for $175 per acre in 1856. The fair’s main exhibit building, which became known as the Fairhouse, was built in 1884 for a cost of $1,676. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.