The 162nd annual Long Island Fair recognized by New York State as the official county fair for Queens, Nassau and Suffolk County, is a festive, present-day event that captures the feel of a country fair consistent with the second half of the 19th century.

The Fair began in 1842 as a local exhibition for what was then Queens County. It originated at the Mineola Fairgrounds, which eventually became a court complex, and was moved to Roosevelt Raceway where rides and sideshows were added.

In 1970, the Fair moved again to its present location at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, which is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage. The main exhibition building, carriage sheds, oval track and livestock barns as well as the re-creation of the original Fair Business Office and restored Superintendent's Office original to the fairgrounds, have been added. Trees and gravel-paved walkways have also been added to the landscape to enhance the accuracy of this historic setting.

An effort to recreate the elaborate Mineola Fairgrounds, circa 1866, has resulted in a cooperative relationship between the local government and the community. The combined efforts of the Agricultural Society of Queens, the Friends for Long Island's Heritage and Nassau and Suffolk counties has produced a re-creation of the original fairgrounds on 12 acres at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Many volunteers help to produce this event and over 500 volunteers will be on hand to assist at the fair.

This year the Long Island Fair will be held during two full weekends - October 8-11 and 14-17. The Fair will welcome STOUT, a talented group of acoustic musicians who specialize in hand clapping, foot stomping, sea chanties and other folk tunes.

The Long Island Fair is enjoyed by approximately 50,000 visitors. Families from all over Long Island enjoy the activities and displays and exhibitors come to show off livestock, vegetables, flowers, culinary arts and handicrafts. With nearly 5,000 contest entries in categories ranging from delicious cakes and mammoth dahlias to champion livestock and intricate patchwork quilts, 700 prizes will be awarded, including ribbons, cash and trophies. There will also be traditional 19th century corn-husking contests for children and cross-cut sawing for adults. A Farmer-For-A-Day tent allows small children to dig potatoes, gather eggs and milk a mechanical cow. Entertainment in the style of the 1800s including a magician, brass band, puppet shows and singers will also be featured.

The fair also hosts the end of season playoff matches of the Old Time Baseball leagues at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. This tradition recreates vintage baseball as it was played in the latter half of the 1800s. Nine teams will compete in authentic uniforms, playing under the banner of actual Long Island clubs from that era.

The Long Island Fair maintains more than the tradition of a 160-year old agricultural fair. The wholesome, truly American tradition of a country fair encourages personal creativity, as well as community involvement and identity.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage, one mile south of the Long Island Expressway at exit 478. For more information or a schedule of this year's activities, visit the Long Island Fair's website at www.longislandfair.org or call 572-8400.