Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the 179th annual Columbia County Fair begins August 28 and continues through September 2 at the county fairgrounds in Chatham. ‘We’re expecting beautiful weather and it’s a wonderful tradition to come to come to the fair each year,” said Betsy Braley, one of the fair’s directors. New to the fair this year is an exotic animal petting zoo and the state police rollover simulator. There will also be 4-H competitions at the show ring, hot dog pig races, oxen demonstrations, a heritage village, magic shows, a watermelon eating contest, hypnotist shows and acrobats. Also new this year, the mandatory manual search or electronic scan of guests and their property as they enter the fairgrounds. “The bag check policy is for everyone’s safety, similar to those instituted at the Dutchess fair and state fair,” Braley said. The demolition derby will be held Wednesday and Thursday nights. More than 30 acts are expected to participate in the Columbia County’s Got Talent competition, Braley said. On Saturday, the annual Firefighters Parade steps off at 11 a.m. and the main act, featuring country-rock singer Frankie Ballard, begins at 7 p.m. Sunday. A full schedule of events can be found at ColumbiaFair [dot] com.