SCHAGHTICOKE FAIR

Schaghticoke, New York
September 2, 2000

As we merged into traffic headed north on the New York State thruway, we couldn't help but think of the
fair that we were about to visit with excitement. This was the 181st year of the fair which meant that it had to be
large and offering a huge variety of things to look at and do. We weren't disappointed.

The fairgrounds covered several blocks and was set up to make good use of
the space. We paid our entrance fee and wandered through the gates and into the
children's section first. With numerous rides, the kids had a ball there. We then
went to the stadium and watched some of the competition between the local town's firemen. From there we decided to check out the fair and find out where Dan would
be doing his show. Homemade cakes, all sorts of food, farm machinery - stall after
stall of goodies. Then came the barns. I didn't know that chickens came in so many varieties! Suddenly we came to a peaceful tree lined spot with picnic tables, benches, seating of all sorts and a stage!!

click on photo to enlarge

The first act was taking the stage so we found a good spot and sat down
to relax and enjoy the show. I suddenly realized that it was Michael Blaine,
a famous hypnotist, with an excellent show. I sat back and enjoyed myself.
He has the wonderful ability to select people from the audience who
become willing puppets! Thank goodness the 220 pound man parading
around as Miss America had no real thoughts of what he was doing!
It's amazing what the power of suggestion can do... just ask the young lady
sitting behind us who suddenly turned into a barking dog when she heard
a certain command word.

As the stage was being set up for Dan's show, I took the opportunity to look around
at the people waiting for the show. All too often when you attend a concert it draws
mainly one age group. This didn't. It was a wonderful mixture of people of all ages
anxiously awaiting his appearance. It was nice to see those with handicaps getting priority front row seating too.

Finally it was time. Dan was announced and the show started. His wonderful
music charmed them all. From the opening chords of "Big Wheels In The Moonlight"
to the end of the show, Dan had them under his spell. Since it was a hot,
humid day, Dan choose to skip wearing his heavy vest and opted for a black t-shirt
and jeans. Both Duke and Porter wore shorts for the afternoon show. Dan's
music is special and half the time the best show is watching the enjoyment
on the faces of the people around us. After the show the lines quickly formed and Dan spent the next 30 to 40 minutes signing autographs, posing for pictures and answering questions. It's nice hearing people walk away from Dan remarking on how nice and down to earth he is.... heck, we've known that all along.

click on photo to enlarge

Suddenly the distant rumbling of thunder disturbed the picturesque scene. The first drops became millions and we all ran for cover. Unable to locate any type of rain gear we decided that we would spend the time checking out the balance of the barns. We discovered the cutest little pygmy goats in one and spent quite some time laughing over their antics. Barn after barn of cows and horses. At least I was able to recognize some of them! We headed back to the stage where we found Dan sitting in the front of the bus with a cigar. I told him that they were announcing that the show would be going on so he went back to get ready. The rains let up just a little just about the same time as we found some plastic raincoats! We then found a seat and the show started.

Surprisingly a large number of people appeared out of nowhere for the show. Standing or
sitting in the drizzle they still enjoyed the show. With rumbles of thunder every now and then
as well as distant flashes of thunder Dan did his show. It was funny
seeing umbrellas dancing in time with the music! Rain or no rain
after the show Dan came out and joined the rest of us drowned rats in an autograph session.
Right down to the last few stragglers! He was still standing in the drizzle signing when we
left - chilled to the bone... but we had fun!!!