This Year, Richmondtown hosted Our Island’s 40th County Fair on Labor Day weekend. For a long while, the fairs had stopped, but way back when, the celebration was held yearly. It’s a good thing the fair is happening again. Islanders get to witness just how cool and diverse, culturally, Staten Island has become. Music, food, and fun. A place for the arts to shine brightly. Contrary to what many think, the Richmond County Fair isn’t just an event for kids.
Our own Island brewery was on tap. Bands, DJs, live graffiti, and more, made the event fun for everyone. City kids would be envious; truly, this event rivals anything Brooklyn hipsters or Manhattan culturati might dish up. And, I’m not exaggerating. Staten Island is quickly becoming a place where culture, in all its forms, thrives.
At the County Fair, everything under the sun that’s fun, could be found amongst the ruins of Americana historic buildings, among structures still standing boldly that have weathered centuries of time and the elements. Contests for both kids and grown-ups, alike. The water balloon toss. The three-legged race. Hula hoop contests. Potato sack races and the shopping cart scurry.
Truthfully, I thought this was going to be lame covering this event for the Staten Islander News organization. I was so wrong. I was wowed. And, that’s no easy feat, trust me. Some hokey jokey County Fair? I’ve stayed as far as possible. But when my editor, Mr. Frank, asked if I would cover the event, I couldn’t refuse. Drinking local beer while toiling away? How could that be so bad? It would be, at the very least, tolerable. Now, I can’t wait for next year’s County Fair.
There were two giant sound stages with ample sound. A live-broadcast SI radio station. Other bands playing in smaller (yet no less cool) areas. Pie eating contests. Hot dog eating contests. Meet and greets. Industry panels. Artist networking. A US Armed Forces Veterans Tribute ceremony. I couldn’t possibly report on it all! I attended the fair on Saturday, so my photos are from that afternoon.
Richmond Town, USA. This used to be where Islanders would have dealt with the law, the center of Staten Island municipal government, until St. George became our new center for such matters. This is where the old Borough Hall yet towers. We usually pass through trying to get somewhere else, barely paying attention to what includes the oldest buildings in the United States.
Drivers usually hiss under their breath, uttering words we’d have to bleep out, as they wait to ascend the winding Snake Hill Road to get to the Mall or home after work. Few look around to appreciate all Richmondtown has to offer. But think back to elementary school class trips, and you will surely recall a day of incredible fun. The period actors love the visitors, and love what they do, imparting an impassioned realism that can’t be questioned.
If you’ve never been to the Richmond County Fair, maybe think about going next year. It’s only going to get better. It’s authentic Staten Island fun at its best. Don’t miss the craziness. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you still think Staten Island is a “sucky bedroom community” as an ill-informed Brooklynite hipster (recently transplanted from Ohio hah) told me recently at a Brooklyn bar, you’re living in an illusion. Time to get up to speed. -Pat.
2019 Richmond County Fair 40th Annual Festival At Historic Richmondtown in the Lush Forested Heart of Staten Island, NYC, NY,USA
Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Tickets Are Still Quite Reasonably Priced. Richmond County Fair 2019 40th Anniversary. Richmondtown, Staten Island, NYC, NY,USA
Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Flyer For the Labor Day 2019 Richmond County Fair. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Flyer For the Labor Day 2019 Richmond County Fair. (Reverse) Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Flyer From Richmond County Fair 2019. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Video From RichmondTown Richmond County Fair 2019 Credit: StatenIslander.org
WeJustWorkin. Providing Alternative Music, Rock, Hip Hop, & Art. The Band Plays In A Foundation That Dates From When? 1600? How Cool Is THAT?! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Picnic Benches Line the Walls. Shade Seats On Right, Sunny On Left. I think We’ve Approached Maximum Insanity with This Venue! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Barn Burner. Robots Will Kill and Other Local Artists Writing. Islanders Get to Do Some Spraycan Art On a Barn That Is Raised For the Event. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Tents In the Foreground. History In the Background. Crazy Juxtaposition! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
NYC Arts Cypher Graffiti-Style Piece In the Making. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Can YOU Identify THIS Historic Building? Ya’ Gotta’ Admit, SI’s Got the Coolest Historic Village Around! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Caulipower Pizza Truck! Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust. Offering ONLY FREE samples! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Guyon-Lake-Tyson House Open For Guests! We Haven’t Been Here Since Elementary School Trips! Yippee! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmondtown and the Most Authentic Period-Actors. Life in 1600 Looked Like THIS! Note the Fireplace. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Fireplace In Yet Another Room of the Guyon-Lake-Tyson House. Note the Incredible Attention to Detail. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Bedroom of the Guyon-Lake-Tyson House. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Roll-Top Desks Rule! Bic Pens Just Didn’t Exist. Ball-Point Pens? NOPE! A Quill For You! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Artistry Is Incredible. Each Tile Has Its Own Motif in the Fireplace Surround. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
A Staten Islander In 1600? Going Fishing? Note the Open Space. The Tiles Impress. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Of Course, Being On the Lower New York Bay and Raritan Bay, the Ocean Only A Few Miles Out, We Find Sailing Ships Adorning the Tiles. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Did This Blacksmith Get Transported Through Time? Note the Anvil In Foreground! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Things Just Aren’t Made the Way They’re Used To. Getting a Lot of Life Out Of This Forge. See the Multiple Patents? Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmond Creek Flowers Grow. What Are the Red Things? Aphids?! Ewww! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Not Just For Kids! People of All Ages Enjoy the County Fair. Son Rise Faith Church Tent, Foreground. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Step Right Up! Signage For This Year’s Richmond County Fair. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Bury the Hatchet Lets Guests Test Their Axe-Throwing Skills. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Pulling the Axes Out of The Target. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Hula Hoops! Kids of ANY Age, From 9 Months To 139 Can Take Part. just Pick Up a Hoop and Start Shakin’! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Axe In Mid-Air. Contest Is Held In Yet Another Ancient Foundation. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Guests Chill Out and Relax In the Dappled Shade. Ahhhh. Finally, A Moment Of Peace! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Picnic Benches Where Islanders Can Hang Out, Talk, and Enjoy the Day. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
HEMP Me! Heavenly Hemp CBD Oil Sells Zero-THC Hemp Oil. Very Friendly and Knowledgeable Booth Attendant! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
A Real, Live Flea Circus! Probably the Coolest Draw Here. (No Joke!) Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus & Wahoo Medicine Show. As Authentic As It Gets, Kids. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Some Real Wahoo Medicine to Aid What Ails Ya’. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Those Wee Fleas Have MAD Skills! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
A Crowd Of All Ages Gathers and Listens. And Watches. Fleas Are Not Easy to See! So Keep Your Eyes Peeled! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Of Course, Any Good Flea Circus Is Followed By A Pitch For Some Good Ole’ Wahoo Medicine. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Love Earth Vegan Cafe & Allergen-Free Bakery. Opening SOON! (4916 Arthus kill Road) Could This Be? A Place For Vegans Like Me? WHAT”!” Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Lefty’s Hand Rolled Cigars. (347-884-7257) Patrons Learn and Enjoy. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Quite. A. Crowd. Trust Me, EVERYONE Was Having Fun. Even Me. And, That’s NO SMALL Feat. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Frizz Coffee Booth. Sweet Bubbly Espresso Drink Imported From Italy, With No Preservatives, No Junk! We Tried it. It’s Better Than That Something Special Soda. Hint. Hint. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Interior of the Car Raffled off. Note 1980s-Style Car Phone. You Have a Call, Sir. It’s Your Blowdryer Calling! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
I Never Did Find Out Who Won This Car. Staten Island Region AACA. Shoot! I Forgot to Buy Chances To Win This Sweet Camaro RS! :(( Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Rolling Thunder New York 2 Trailer, Background. Some Sort of Roadster, Foreground. Sweet Rims. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Rolling Thunder SINY. “Help Us Help A Vet.” Truly Noble, Warm & Sincere People. Raffle For Scott LoBaido Original Painting, Signed by Travis Mills (“Never Give Up, Never Quit.”). Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Oldsmobile. Another Sweet Antique Car On Display. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
POW-MIA Banners. Armed Forces Flags. All High Above the Fair-goers. Who Noticed? It’s just Like Our Military Men and Women: They Go Unnoticed By Most, Yet Keep Us All Safe. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
An Older Model Firetruck. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Legend Reads: “Always remember the South Street Fourteen. September 11, 2001. Box 5-5-8087. We must ensure that future generations will be able to read their names, know what they did, appreciate their heroism, be inspired by their sacrifice, and ensure that they are designated as role models.” Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
I Need To Know When Such Cool Fire Trucks Were In Use! My Guess? 1965? Am I Right?! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
F.D.N.Y. RE5CUE. “This recue truck responded to the world trade center on 9/11” Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Fire Safety Education Unit. (718) 281-3870. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Readers: Please tell Me What This Building Is. Thank You! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
I LOVE How The Sun Shines Over The Building. Touched By Angels, This Day Was. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Everyone Is So Engrossed In Life And Having Fun. WHAT A DAY! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Back To That Showcased Antique Olds Impala SS. Chrome Bumper. Crazy Rounded Tail Lights. Sweet! May I Have a Ride, Please? Pretty Please? Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Rolling Thunder New York Banner, Foreground. Old Staten Island Boro Hall, Background. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Guests Milling About. Montalbano’s Sausage and Peppers Tent. Can You Smell the Peppers and Onions Through Your Screen? Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The St. George Theatre Booth. (718.442.2900)This Is About The Most Beautiful Theatre I’ve Seen. And, I’ve Seen Live Music Shows In More Venues Than I Can Count Or, Rememeber. 😉 Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Authentic Cider Press For ~1860. We Ducked Into the Air Conditioned Museum For A Few Minutes to beat the Heat. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Placard For the Above Cider Press. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Exhibit Celebrating the Richmond County Fair. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmond County Fair Flyers From 1981, 2000, 2002, & 2005 Adorn the Walls In This Temporary Display. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmond County Fair 1905 Souvenir Programme (Official). Sponsored By the Richmond County Agricultural Society. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmond County Fair 1926 Pass. Issued to ONE PERSON ONLY! Tight Security! The Great Depression Hadn’t Yet Happened! America Was Still Riding High After the Hard-Won Victory In the Great War (WW I) Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Spiral Steel Staircase In the Museum. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Signage: “Museum Open COOL!” Indeed, It Was. AC Is Nice On a Hot Day In the Sun. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Museum Was Once the County Ckerk and Surrogates Office. Stone Dates Building to 1848. Newish For Richmondtown! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Skies Were Blue, the Breeze Fresh On Saturday At The Richmond County Fair. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Blowing GIGANTIC Balloons With String? New to Me! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Now THAT’S A Bubble! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Kids Marvel At the Amazing Bubbles! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Historical Reproductions (Inspired By Original Artifacts) Made In the Richmondtown Carpentry Shop. I Remember Watching This in Third Grade. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Sound Stage with Performing Band. The Musicians Surprised Me and Were all Top-Notch. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Attendees Enjoy the Day On Benches As the Band Plays On. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Just Look At Those Speakers! The Sound Was MONSTEROUS! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Staten Island Tech (One of the ‘Elite 8’ High Schools in NYC) Green Tech Club Built a Solar Racer. I Attended This School! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
The Old P.S. 28, Right In the heart of Richmondtown, Proper. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Everyone Looks So Happy To Be Here! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Kids Rides. Amusement Park Games. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Wild Bill’s Olde Fashioned Soda Pop Co. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmondtown Print Shop. I You Have A Wanted Poster, We’ll Print It. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Some lowly Thief Was Rustling Fences! Go Get ‘Em Cornelius! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Sand Art Tent. Old Town Hall, Background. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Yet Another Cool Buildind. What a Setting For a Celebration! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Choo Choo! Train Crossing Shuttles Guests Around, Courtesy of Spectrum. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Horsey Rides! Wait, That’s A Pony! Little Girl Loves the Pony. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
What a Day of Fun In the Sun. Thankful I Attended. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
This Thingy (Hitching Post) Was On Main Street. It Was For Tying Your Horse Up While Doing Business. Maybe Paying A Horse Parking Ticket? Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Happy Trials Pony Rides. (732) 251-4240. Our Island Once Had Many Horses and Ponies. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Here Comes the Train, Again! Make Way! Tired Feet Appreciate. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Firehouse Dalmatian Bounce House! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Staten Island’s ONLY County Fair signage Near Snake Hill Road Bottom. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Staten Island’s Flagship Brewery Co. Truck Serves Cold Beer, Made Right Here on SI. Bechtel and Other Breweries Were Once Found In Stapleton, a Former German-American Enclave. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Throw An Axe. Or Just Grok the Scenery. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
See the Axe Captured Mid-Flight? Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
More Hefty Speakers. Blasting Early 60s Tunes. My Favorite. (That and Death Metal) MakerParkRadio.NYC Online Radio Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Maker Park Radio Signage. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Lefty’s Hand-Rolled Cigar Truck, Rear. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Richmond District Free and Accepted Masons Signage. Pathway to Light 2018-2020. Staten Island, NY. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Fun & Games. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Peace. love. Pics On An Authentic VW Baby-Blue Bus! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Staten Island Region Antique Auto Club of America Tent and American and Armed Forces Flags. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Stilt Walkers or just Very Tall Ladies? You Decide. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Enjoying a Mug of Beer While Dancing With A Couple of Very Tall All-American Ladies. Yes; They Danced All Around, As Tall As They Were! Kudos! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
SOAKED! Kids Of All Ages Throw Balls and Get the Dude to Bathe. Again, and Again. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Hats off To Richmond County, USA. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Attendees Trying to Pack In As Much Fun Before it’s Over. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Another kid Hit The Bulls-Eye! And, Down He Plunges! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
City of new York Parks and Recreation Sound Stge, Rear. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Boy Scouts of America Tent. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Hot Dog and Pie Eating Contest. Signage. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Groove to the Sound. Which Band Was This, Again? Readers, Help Me! I was Having Too Much Fun, My Reporting Suffered! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Squeeze Box. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Getting Down to the Funky Sound! Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
Hey! That’s a Historic Richmondtown Shirt! Nice. Image Credit: StatenIslander.org
...PAT JENKS
...hopefully I wrote this piece better than I take selfies. (Nepal) I enjoy delving into controversial subjects. Of course, I always welcome comments on my contributions to the Staten Islander.