Bakers, Crafters, Gardeners, Photographers, Win a Coveted Blue Ribbon At The Richmond County Fair

Do you have an eye for a great photo?  Can you turn fiber and thread into garments or quilts?  When it comes to baking are you the next Betty Crocker?  Or do you have a green thumb?

It’s that time of year again, when Staten Islanders strut their stuff!  Bakers, crafters, gardeners and photographers are invited to compete for a coveted Blue Ribbon during the 29th annual Richmond County Fair, being held on Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7 on the grounds of Historic Richmond Town.

Contestants can participate in the following categories:

BAKING CONTEST:  Don your aprons and whip up a home-made taste sensation!  Adult and Youth Bakers (ages 16 and younger) are welcome to compete in six delicious categories:  Pie; Cookies; Muffins; Cake; Brownies and Baker’s Choice.  Please mail or fax entry forms by Friday, August 29, 2008: 441 Clarke Avenue, S.I., NY 10306 – fax (718) 351-6057; E-Mail – egalizia@historicrichmondtown.org

FLOWER & VEGETABLE CONTEST:  Get back to your roots.  Gardeners of all ages are welcome to compete in 29 classes from annuals to zucchinis.  Please mail or fax entry forms by Friday, August 29, 2008: 441 Clarke Avenue, S.I., NY 10306 – fax (718) 351-6057; E-Mail – egalizia@historicrichmondtown.org

HANDICRAFTS:  Adults, Seniors, Teenagers, Children, Community Groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts all are welcome to compete in more than 20 crafts categories including knitting, quilting, and woodcarving.  Entries may be dropped off at the Historic Richmond Town Visitors Center, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY, beginning Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 17, 2008.  Hours are Wednesdays - Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  No entries will be accepted after August 17, 2008.

PHOTOGRAPHY:  Capture a Blue Ribbon with award-worthy original photographs.  Categories include: Staten Island Life, Scenic/Nature, Pets & Animals, Family Life, and Historic Richmond Town.  Entries can be hand-delivered or mailed to: Staten Island Historical Society, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306; Attention: Photography Contest.  Entries may be dropped off beginning Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 17, 2008.  Hours: Wednesdays - Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  No entries will be accepted after August 17, 2008.

BABY PICTURE CONTEST:  Put your “Brag Book” on display.  The categories include:  Most Beautiful, Most Humorous, and Child with Pet.  Entries can be hand-delivered or mailed to: Staten Island Historical Society, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306; Attention: Baby Photo Contest.  Entries may be dropped off beginning Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 17, 2008.  Hours are Wednesdays - Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  No entries will be accepted after August 17, 2008.

For complete rules, regulations, and entry forms, visit our website: www.RichmondCountyFair.org or call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 244.

The Presenting Sponsor for the 2008 Richmond County Fair is Time Warner Cable.  Additional support is being provided by BNP Paribas, Con Edison, Cyber Grants, Inc., New York Container Terminal Inc., Sovereign Bank, Staten Island Audiological Services, and Staten Island Foundation.

Two New Exhibits This Year

“Third County Courthouse: Center for Civic Life on Staten Island.”  This exhibition was funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and can be seen at the Staten Island Historical Society’s Courthouse located at 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y.

“Bringing Up Baby: Children’s Furniture and Family Life” will be on view in the Historical Museum at Historic Richmond Town through March 29, 2009.  This exhibit was made possible by the generosity of Wendy Shadwell.

Now Open on the Grounds of Historic Richmond Town

M. Bennett Olde Village Market at Historic Richmond Town is now open for lunch and snacks.  Full breakfast is available on Sundays. Hours through September: Wednesdays-Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

2008 Historic Richmond Town Programs

JULY

Summer Living History Season - History comes alive all month long as costumed interpreters live, work and play throughout the village. Regular hours: Wednesdays through Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Traditional Dinner - Saturday July 26, 2008, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Reservations are required.  $75/$50 members.  The dinner includes brick-oven baked bread, flame-roasted beef and turkey, salad with Thomas Jefferson’s favorite dressing. A Dutch colonial recipe for cabbage salad and an assortment of vegetables rounds out the main course.  Dessert includes seasonal fruit pies cooked in the beehive oven.  For good measure there will be live music, celebratory toasts, early American tavern games and authentically costumed cooks and servers.  Become a member and receive the member’s discount when you make your reservation.  Want a great gift idea for graduations, birthdays, or just because?  Traditional Dinners makes a wonderful gift. For reservations call (718) 351-1611, ext. 281.

All-You-Can-Eat-Lunch Bonanza – Sunday, July 27, 2008- Historic Richmond Town 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. Lunch Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Celebrate National Hot Dog Month with a mouthful of franks, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fixin’s and more! This family-friendly event is priced right for growing children, hungry parents, and anyone else who needs to satisfy their cravings for All-American fare cooked on the grill. Adults/$8.00, Children 10 and under/$4.00.  In celebration of Scouts of America, any scout of any age visiting Historic Richmond Town on July 27 and is wearing their uniform, will receive $2.00 off.  This offer applies to all levels of scouting from Brownies and Cubs, Ambassador Girl Scouts to Eagle scouts.  There’s ample parking at 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY.

AUGUST

Coming Soon: All-You-Can-Eat-Lunch-Bonanza - Watch our website for the Staten Island Historical Society’s next All-You-Can-Eat-Lunch-Bonanza.  This family-friendly event will take place on the grounds of Historic Richmond Town.  Visit www.HistoricRichmondTown.org throughout the summer for dates and times.

Summer Living History Season - History comes alive all month long as costumed interpreters live, work and play throughout the village. Regular hours: Wednesdays through Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

BBQ Pitmaster Training Class—Saturday, August 16, 2008 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Smokin’ Joe’s True-Blue Texas Barbecue Inc. and the Staten Island Historical Society at Historic Richmond Town team up to offer a one-day class to learn the techniques of authentic wood-smoked barbecue.  Complete BBQ meal is included.  Participants also enjoy living history demonstrations at New York City’s only living history museum and village complex.  Please register early.  $75/$70 members.  Become a member and receive the member’s discount when you make your reservation.  Looking for that unique gift for an extraordinary individual or a special couple on their anniversary?  Give this “out of the ordinary experience.” Plenty of parking – 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY.  For more information visit www.SmokinJoesBBQ.com, www.HistoricRichmondTown.org or call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 245, to register or request a copy of the complete syllabus, which includes the day’s activities.

SEPTEMBER

Building Children’s Furniture Workshop -Three sessions: Saturdays, September, 20, 27 and October, 11.  Classes run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration required.

Grandparents Day - Sunday, September 14.  A guided tour of the village beginning in the exhibit “Bringing Up Baby: Children’s Furniture and Family Life” examines Staten Island family life in the past.  And, of course, grandparents are our guests.  Reservations are encouraged.  Call (718) 351-1611 Ext. 281.

Flea Market—Sunday, September 28 (Rain Date Sunday, October 5). 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Antiques, crafts and collectibles booths line the village streets.  Adults $2/ Seniors $1/Children under 16 FREE.  Call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 236 for information.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.HistoricRichmondTown.org

The mission of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities from the colonial period to the present. Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of the independent Staten Island Historical Society and the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a member of the Historic House Trust.