There are a variety of Adirondack activities that focus on family fun.

Hiking, biking and swimming around the Adirondacks are just some of our family favorites. Though being outside in nature is popular for our Adirondack family, we enjoy the simple act of a county fair. Eating cotton candy and enjoying a traveling carnival is one activity that does seem to sum up summertime.

The Essex County Fair will be holding its 164th fair this August 8-12, 2012. The daily admission is $10, which includes all shows and carnival rides. The Essex County Fair in Westport may seem small when compared to a state fair, but it is big on value. It is missing some of the larger rides, but it is the perfect place to let children explore and adventure out on their own. Since there is no need for tickets for each ride the children get to repeat their favorites while I sit the bench. I admire their ability to consume copious amounts of food and then spin upside down. I need to rest just thinking about it.

The Essex County-Clinton County Fair was organized in 1848 and first held on the Port Kent Road in Keeseville. The emphasis even then was on horse racing. It moved from Keeseville to Elizabethtown to then Westport, where it has remained since 1865.

Every day patrons can go through the baby animal barn, experience a petting zoo, and Hot Dog pig races. The Cornell Cooperative Extension office is also located at the fairgrounds. We walk around the Master Gardener and 4-H exhibits and learn about making a rain garden and how to identify various Adirondack invasives.

Merriloon The Clown is on site making balloon animals while the JD Winslow Equestrian Entertainment brings circus-like performance for two shows daily. Tractor Pulls, Demolition Derby and Harness Races round out the full schedule of events.

The true roots of the Essex County Fair are with its agricultural beginnings. Poultry, rabbits and horses are just a few of the animals on display. Ribbons, dangling from stalls, proudly showcase hard-earned, first-place blue ribbons. The historic Floral Hall, completely renovated in 2004 to retain the original design, houses prize-winning vegetables, desserts and crafts. There is even the prerequisite largest zucchini and pumpkin on display.

Since our entry includes all the carnival rides, we head past Midway and back to the rides to enjoy a few more turns on the merry-go-round while my son and his friends enter a pudding eating contest. Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™.