irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0WINTER STORAGE - BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Columbia County Fair
Annual multi-day fair featuring agricultural exhibitions, animal shows, horticulture displays, crafts, educational programs, and entertainment events including harness racing and demolition derbies
Facility and Grounds Rental
Year-round rental of fairgrounds buildings and land for events, including a trailer park with 32 spaces equipped with utilities
Sensory Safe Space Program
Collaborative initiative with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide a quiet, sensory-friendly environment for fairgoers with sensory sensitivities
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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County and Regional Agricultural Fair Management 3 activities
- Host educational displays and competitions in agriculture, horticulture, and arts and craftsConducts ongoing educational instruction, exhibits, and competitive events in agriculture, horticulture, and arts and crafts for all age groups, including 4-H public presentations and youth talent showcases.
- Organize and operate the annual Columbia County FairHosts a six-day annual fair featuring family-friendly entertainment, fair food, animal attractions, fireworks, and special events such as pig racing and talent showcases. The event includes daily programming at multiple venues including the Grandstand and North Gate Entertainment Barn.
- Undertake capital improvement projects at fairgroundsConducts construction and infrastructure upgrades, including replacing aging cattle barns and developing a 32-space trailer park with utilities for fair visitors and participants.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award annual scholarship to fair participantsOffers a $1,000 merit scholarship annually to students who have actively participated in the Columbia County Fair as exhibitors, presenters, volunteers, or talent show participants.
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Sensory-Inclusive Programming and Support 1 activity
- Operate specialized fair programs for sensory-sensitive attendeesProvides a Sensory Safe Space available daily during the fair and hosts a designated Sensory Day with ride lights and music turned off to accommodate visitors with sensory sensitivities.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Conduct agricultural health services for fair participantsPerforms Pullorum disease testing for poultry exhibitors at the fairgrounds as part of regulatory compliance and animal health programming.
- Manage winter storage business enterpriseOperates a winter storage business at the fairgrounds, generating $32,960 in program revenue in 2023 and incurring $7,362 in expenses in 2019.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.21M
Contributions & grants$50K4%
Program service revenue$1.08M89%
Investment income$6K0%
Other revenue$74K
expenses
Total expenses$1.03M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$189K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.98M
Cash$660K
Investments$1K
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$1.98M
Liquid reserves7.7 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +11.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC BARNES | FAIR MANAGER | 20 | $29K |
| KENNETH SITER | TREASURER | 8 | $17K |
board members · 16
- BERNARD KELLEHER — PRESIDENT
- BETSY BRALEY — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN LOSSOW — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN MADSEN — DIRECTOR
- CAROLINE LAFFERTY — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE KERNER — DIRECTOR
- JOHN CRAFT — VICE PRESIDE
- JOHN HOWE — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MICKLE — SECRETARY
- NELSON R ALFORD JR — DIRECTOR
- PATRICK WEMITT — DIRECTOR
- PAUL CHITTENDEN — DIRECTOR
- PHILIP TROWBRIDGE — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD HERON — DIRECTOR
- ROBIN BENZIGER — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN BERINGER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Barnwell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Partner — Provides support for free wheelchair use at the fair.
- CCCC Network — Proud member of CCCC as shown by logo display on website.
- Capital Region Chamber of Commerce Network — Proud member of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce.
- Chamber of Columbia County Network — Proud member of Chamber of Columbia County
- Chamber of Columbia County Network — Proud member of Chamber of Columbia County as indicated by logo display.
- Chatham Chamber of Commerce Coalition — Member of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce.
- Chatham Chamber of Commerce Network — Proud member of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce.
- Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Network — Member organization promoting local business and economic development.
- Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Network — Proud member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce as shown by logo display and affiliation.
- Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Network — Proud member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
- Columbia County DSS Partner — Supports the enhanced Sensory Safe Space at the fair.
- Columbia County Lodging Association Partner — Provides lodging information for visitors to the fair and county.
- Columbia County Tourism Partner — Partners to promote Columbia County as a destination for tourism and recreation.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — Collaborates to operate a Sensory Safe Space at the Columbia County Fair.
- I Love NY Government — Statewide tourism initiative that promotes New York, including the Columbia County Fair.
- New York Association of Agricultural Fairs Network — Member organization; the Society's leadership has held elected roles within this state-level association.
- New York State 4H Partner — Linked as a resource for youth development and agricultural education.
- New York State Association of Agricultural Fair Association Network — Member of a statewide association of agricultural fairs.
- New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Network — Member organization that awards scholarships through a state-level program.
- THE GRAND Partner — Provides support for free wheelchair use at the fair.
- The Chatham Area Business and Arts Partner — Collaborates to promote the Chatham, NY region for business, dining, and the arts.
- Youth Bureau Partner — Supports the enhanced Sensory Safe Space at the fair.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education Through Exhibition and Competitionmethodology: education-through-competitionBy using educational displays and competitive events, the organization engages the public in agriculture, horticulture, and crafts because competition motivates participation and skill development, while exhibitions serve as accessible teaching tools that demonstrate best practices and innovations across generations.
- Youth Incentivized Participation via Scholarshipsmethodology: youth-incentivized-participationBy offering scholarships to youth who participate in the county fair, the organization strengthens long-term engagement in agricultural and craft education because linking current involvement to future opportunities (like post-secondary education) increases motivation, reinforces value, and supports rural community retention.