Rides operated by Amusements of America were being set up throughout the day on Tuesday. (Provided photo — Blaine LaVoie/Malone Telegram)

MALONE — The Franklin County Fair is back in the village after a year hiatus and both village and fair officials are looking forward to a fun and safe event.

Mayor Andrea Dumas said ticket sales at the fair office have been going well, in the run up to the fair, and she is hopeful turnout will be up with the fair back in the village for the first time since 2019.

“Ticket sales have been going well,” Dumas said, “We are hoping for a big turnout this year.”

Dumas said the county fair, organized by the Franklin County Agricultural Society, kicks off on Friday, with rides and events starting at 11 a.m., with gates opening earlier in the morning.

“Gates open at 8 a.m., on Friday,” Dumas said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Dumas said rides, operated by Amusements of America, were being set up at the fairgrounds.

Without a fair last year, Dumas said it is nice to see the fairgrounds buzzing with activity in preparation for fair week.

“We are all excited to have the fair back in the village, it brings a lot of economic activity to the downtown area,” Dumas said. “People aren’t only going to the fairgrounds they are stopping at convenience stores, and going shopping.”

According to Dumas, her favorite day at the fair is Hometown Day, which this year is Wednesday, Aug. 11.

“For me, my favorite day is Hometown Day, we get to see local talent on stage, there is the beauty pageant and the Small Town Famous event,” Dumas said.

Small Town Famous is described as a celebration to showcase the accomplishments of people in the community, according to Laura Rabideau, a member of the committee organizing the show, which is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

At the conclusion of the show, 965 gallons of fuel oil or propane will be raffled off by Adirondack Energy, with proceeds from the raffle going to support the Malone Village Memorial Park.

Musical performers at this year’s fair includes Roots & Boots on Friday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m., 80’s Rock Tour on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m., which features Steve Augeri, Lou Gramm, and John Payne, and Chris Janson on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m.

Additionally, Dumas said she looks forward to the fair because it is a chance to see other community members.

“Everyone gets so busy during the year, the fair is a nice chance to see them and say hello,” Dumas said.

Dumas said in addition to fair rides there will be a number of animals at this year’s fair, including emus, goats, sheep, and donkeys, in addition to cattle and poultry.

Though taking place before the fair, the fairgrounds were open to the public on Monday, as NY Sire Stakes Racing was in town.

“Sire stakes went well, there were a lot of spectators in the grandstands and I heard from some of the harness racers, who had a great time,” Dumas said.

A new team event at this year’s fair is a cornhole tournament.

The Franklin County Agricultural Society will host its first cornhole tournament on Thursday, Aug. 12, with the event taking place in front of the Coca Cola grandstand at 6 p.m., according to Dave Gokey, a fair board of director.

Other events at this year’s fair include a demolition derby on Sunday, Aug. 8 at 4:30 p.m., a street and modified truck pull, on Monday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m., lawn mower races at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, and a demo derby stock event on Friday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m.

A tractor pull is set to take place on the last day of the fair, Sunday, Aug. 15, with both the Franklin County Agricultural Society and the New York State Tractor Pullers Association hosting tractor pulls.

“If you like smoke and fire this is definitely the event for you,” said Joey St. Mary, a fair board director.

Dumas said a lot of work goes into the fair every year and it’s nice to see all that work come together.

“We are all looking forward to a successful and safe fair, 11 fair directors work extremely hard, to make this all happen,” Dumas said, “We are all excited for the fair this year. We have some great new events.”