What's new at the Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage 

You might think it's rare for a fair intended to bring Long Islanders back the 1800s to return with new attractions. The Long Island Fair is doing just that. 

The event — a chance to visit a world without screens and cellphones should you leave yours behind — started in 1842 and brings potato sack races, Victorian jewelry making, scarecrow contests and much more to current-day Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

This month, a ventriloquist with puppets ranging from a gargling tuna to a chicken named Nugget will join the fair. An internationally recognized family of acrobats will perform daring feats on their flying trapeze. And in between countless activities, you'll be able to take a ride on a third new attraction: a Ferris wheel.

Fair manager Gary Haglich says everyone will feel as if they're experiencing something new “when the entertainment, attractions and history at the fair meld together."

Here are ways this year’s new attractions will blend all activities into one unique experience.

THE FERRIS WHEEL DEAL 

There’s a fool proof way to see everything on the fairgrounds. Ride to the top of a 50-foot-high Ferris wheel. There, you’ll look down on just about every activity. Scattered around the grounds, you’ll see families and friends participating in a scarecrow building contest. Haglich remembers with a smile, “A few years ago, one group created a Darth Vader scarecrow. Another group made a scarecrow of the person who was the mayor of the village at that time.”

You’ll also look down on the Historic Village section. Folks in costumes demonstrate old-time spinning, basket weaving, silversmithing and more. Kids can bead their own Victorian-style necklaces. Watch an old-time riding re-enactment or a baseball game with players following rules from 1866. Kids ride on a carousel with music piping from a carousel band organ. The organ looks and sounds like the original 1919 instrument. It’s powered by air and plays authentic carousel music from the era. 

VENTRILOQUIST VS. SPECIAL EFFECTS

Before special effects were invented, people gathered for ventriloquist acts. This year, ventriloquist Steve Petra will perform at the fair. He’ll bring along his puppet troop, including Nugget the Wonder Chicken and Pedro the Gargling Tuna Fish. Petra, who trained at the National Theatre of Puppet Arts and Jim Henson Productions says, “Now ventriloquists are hot. People no longer have a '50s image of what a ventriloquist is.”

Petra has created a new show for the fair. Nugget the Chicken will play the kazoo and teach the audience the alphabet. Turkey the Opera Singer will sing a new rendition of "Old MacDonald." There will be three versions of Petra’s show each day. 

There will be real animals at the fair too. Check out the livestock (sheep, chickens, rabbits, a cow), plus an exotic animal petting zoo. Little ones can play in a make-believe farm where they’ll gather toy eggs and pick wooden apples from a tree.

Horses will be awarded blue ribbons, but prizes are not limited to animals. Vegetables and fruits will win ribbons in categories ranging from the heaviest tomato to the biggest squash. Other ribbons will be awarded for homemade quilts, wreaths, photography and more. The culinary category is making a comeback this year. Kids and adults can win ribbons for their home-baked cakes, breads, pies and cookies.

FLYING TRAPEZE

Watch circus performers do maneuvers in the air during flying trapeze acts. This season, the Flying Cortes Trapeze Spectacular will be featured at the fair. The Cortes family, trapeze artists who perform globally, will do aerial twists, turns, spins and somersaults before your eyes.

The trapeze act might inspire you to get up and try something new. Everyone is welcome to participate in potato sack races, corn husking contests, ring toss and doll bopping games while a traditional nineteenth century band (banjo, fiddle and auto harp) plays bluegrass music.

Mike Falco, Long Island Band Organ co-owner, built and plays an old-style organ at the fair which he says produces the "happiest music on earth."

"People walk past and naturally have a skip in their step,” he adds.