RHINEBECK, NY (WCBS 880) - It’s here – the end of August and a tradition of country life – the Dutchess County Fair!

WCBS 880′s Deborah Rodriguez In Rhinebeck

The merry-go-round is already set up. So is the Ferris Wheel and more daring rides like the Vortex and the Zipper, because, let’s face it, kids go to the fair for the rides.

Those rides, some cotton candy, a plate of fried dough, and a pile of french fries can get a kid through an entire day.

At the 166th Dutchess County Fair the emphasis will be on the best home-baked pie, the cows and baby pigs.

“Back 200 years ago, probably 98 percent of the people involved in fairs were farmers. We’re down to 1 or 2 percent of Americans now involved in agriculture. So, it behooves us to educate our patrons about the value of agriculture,” says fair general manager Bob Grems.

Stories from Main Street - Photo: Evan Bindelglass / WCBS 880

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Grems isn’t so worried about the economy or the $15 price of admission for grownups.

“In 2008, the last time that gas prices were so high, we had a record year that year because people are not taking the longer vacations. But I always say that I think the American people are not ready to roll over and play dead no matter how bad the economy is,” he says.

LINK: Dutchess County Fair (Official Site)

So, grab a 4H milkshake on Livestock Hill or catch a live calf birth.

Chubby Checker, Travis Tritt, REO Speedwagon, Kellie Pickler, and Uncle Kracker will be performing on the grandstand this year.

The fair begins Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

It is located at 6550 Spring Brook Avenue, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.