Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Arts & Culture, Site

Location

111 Fairground Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020, USA

Lat/Long

43.005758, -73.857608

Grant Recipient

Saratoga County

On June 24, 1841, the Saratoga County Agricultural Society formed in response to “an act to promote agriculture” passed by the New York State Legislature in May of that year. At its formation, the Saratoga County Agricultural Society adopted a constitution and appointed a president, two vice-presidents, and an executive committee made up of two representatives from each town in the county. During its first year, 226 individuals were admitted membership to the Society. Its constitution included a fixed date for an annual fair and the awarding of premiums, along with the election of officers. The Society’s annual fair was first held in Ballston Spa, and later in Mechanicville and Saratoga Springs. A September 15, 1882 edition of the Albany Argus reported on the forty-first annual fair of the Society and noted the fair’s return to Ballston Spa. That year the Society established their permanent fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.

As of July 2021, the fair continued to be held in this location.