Assembly Resolution No. 2083

BY: M. of A. Slater

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Yorktown Grange Fair

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations and businesses of this great Empire State who make
significant contributions to their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Yorktown Grange Fair, hosted by
Yorktown Grange No. 862 on the weekend of September 6-8, 2024, at the
Yorktown Fairgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Fairs and festivals empower communities to attract new
visitors while capitalizing on local commercial and cultural value; and

WHEREAS, The Yorktown Grange Fair has drastically progressed from
its humble beginning, burgeoning from the agriculture and farming
industry, with the inaugural fair being held on October 19, 1923, at the
site of the first Grange Hall in Yorktown; and

WHEREAS, The Yorktown Grange Fair is a product of friendly
competition spanning back a century; farmers in the community were
inspired to create a way to foster friendly competition in regard to
growing and comparing their best vegetables, and, in that year of 1923,
the fair as it is loved today was born; and

WHEREAS, The early displays of produce, baking, and flowers were
auctioned off after being judged, creating a traditional finale to the
fair; and

WHEREAS, As the popularity of the fair grew, the crowds became too
large for the small Grange Hall; starting in 1946, the fair was moved to
the then Yorktown School, now the Community and Cultural Center, in the
middle of Yorktown Heights; the gymnasium was used for exhibits and
tents were put up outside to accommodate livestock and the sale of
commercial space; and

WHEREAS, A testament to its ever-growing success, the Yorktown
Grange Fair was awarded first place in a statewide competition, winning
a plaque, and receiving a monetary prize of $200; on the national level,
the fair was awarded a $500 prize and an additional plaque; and

WHEREAS, With a newfound passion to take the Yorktown Grange Fair to
new heights, by-laws were created in December of 1954, and the first
Fair Association was thereby created and officially met for its first
meeting on February 24, 1955; the creation of this new entity allowed
for business relations and planning of the fair to be done for the first
time outside of organized Grange meetings; and

WHEREAS, The Yorktown Grange Fair still provides a showcase for the
town's residents and surrounding areas to present their goods, including
vegetables, flowers, needlework, baking, livestock, and poultry; and


WHEREAS, This year's theme for the fair is "Centennial Celebration -
100 Years of Family Fun"; generations of families and friends will
attend this year's fair to enjoy amazing livestock exhibits, sensational
art shows, thrilling rides, delicious food, live music, and an
atmosphere of fun and friendship; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the sparkling success of this established
event, the Yorktown Grange Fair has been able to return donations and
provide financial support to various organizations within their
community, making a proper investment in the future of the town and
those who reside within it; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century, the Yorktown Grange Fair has
demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to provide cultural enrichment,
lessons in history and agriculture, as well as entertainment to its
community, and, as a result, has brought pride and recognition to its
local community and to our great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Yorktown Grange Fair; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Yorktown Grange No. 862, organizers of the Yorktown
Grange Fair.