The 14th Annual Country Fair is a much-anticipated family event, sponsored by the Friends of John Jay Homestead, which attracts a large crowd from all over Westchester County and beyond. This traditional country fair will feature a group from the Brigade of the American Revolution, who will set up an encampment on the grounds with an 18th century apothecary, cooking demonstrations and music of the era. Other fun activities for all ages include the perennial favorite, swimming pig races, plus a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides down the Farm Lane, arts and crafts activities, games, magicians, jesters and other amusements. Since the site is celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Ben Franklin's birth, a new face at the Fair will be Ben Franklin impersonator, Bill Robling, who visited the site on Patriots Day and does an excellent job of staying "in character" and educating people about the many contributions of Ben Franklin, as a diplomat, scientist, inventor and skilled writer. Traditional skills, such as broom-making, beekeeping and blacksmithing will be demonstrated around the grounds, and SavATree will again provide their log-sawing booth, another favorite with the children. The Bedford Farmer's Club will host an exhibit of antique farm tools in the Homestead's renovated main barn. Delicious food, including fresh-grilled hamburgers, baked goods, ice cream and popcorn, will be on sale all day. Live music from the Mary Lamont Band will be part of the festivities, which will last all day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The entrance fee is $20 per carload; tickets for food and some activities will be sold at various booths around the fair grounds.

The Homestead, located on Route 22 in Katonah, was the retirement home of John Jay, a leading patriot and our nation's first Chief Justice. The bucolic property now totals 62 acres and includes Jay’s restored Federal style farmhouse, barns, a carriage barn and caretaker's cottage. The main house will be open for tours on the day of the Fair. The Homestead, named "Bedford Farm" by its original owner, is a New York State Historic Site.

All proceeds from the Fair will be used by the Friends of John Jay Homestead to fund continuing restoration of the Homestead buildings, grounds and collections, and to enhance programs educating the public about the historical contributions of John Jay. This year, as last year, a portion of these funds will underwrite attendance at the Fair by a group of members of Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester.

The Country Fair is made possible by support from over 100 volunteers and generous corporate sponsors including Merrill Lynch, Arroway Chevrolet & Saab in Katonah, Citibank in Bedford Village and Lloyd Bedford Cox, Inc. Additional assistance has been provided by Pepsi Bottling Group, Snapple Distributors, Inc. and the Westchester County Parks Department.

The Barn Dance will be held on Saturday, September 16, the evening before the Fair, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Homestead's main barn. The Dance includes a country western barbeque, swimming pig races, live music from local bands, and special guest(s), including guitarist Arlen Roth and friends. Tickets range from $50 per person for Friends members and $60 for nonmembers up to $175 per person for Barn Raisers, which entitles you to a listing on the invitation and a special parking pass for reserved parking. All children are $15 Please reserve in advance by calling the Friends office at (914) 232-8119 or emailing friends@johnjayhomestead.org-- the event nearly sold out last year-- so call ahead to reserve tickets this year!

Schedule of Activites:
10 am to 2 pm-- Collect your Treasure Map and go on your Treasure Hunt
Go into the Library to ring the old school bell
Explore the fire truck at the Fire House and visit their water station
Visit the Museum at the Court House
10 am to 1 pm-- Pony Rides on the Village Green
10 to 11 am and 1 to 2 pm-- Colonial Games on the Village Green
11 am to 1 pm-- Lively family music with Maria & Friends of "Rocklee Music Together" on the Village Green.
1 pm-- Author reading & book signing "If you were there when they signed the Constitution" at the Library

Bag lunches are available for purchase at the Village Green Deli and Stewart's Market.

From 1 to 4 pm on Sunday, September 10th the Katonah Museum of Art will host a Family Day. Family Days are a great way for parents and their children to have fun looking at art, creating and learning together. The Museum's education department has organized special tours created especially for families, a series of unique hands-on activities designed around the exhibitions in the main galleries and Learning Center, and hunt sheets that the whole family will enjoy. Art stations with special projects will be set up throughout the Museum and the numerous activities that are always available in the Learning Center will be expanded.

Examples of these special activities include:

Creating a Memory Box inspired by Andromeda Hotel: The Art of Joseph Cornell
Designing a Magic Pop-Up Suitcase after seeing Case Studies: Art in a Valise
Helping to make a 50-Car Train like the one Peter Sís has illustrated in his book The Train of States

Free to members, $5 non-members (ages 3 and up) Become a member at the door!

This event has been planned in conjunction with the exhibitions currently on view at the Museum. In the Main Galleries are two companion exhibitions: Andromeda Hotel: The Art of Joseph Cornell and Case Studies: Art in a Valise. Andromeda Hotel takes viewers on a magical journey into the fantastic worlds Joseph Cornell assembled in 45 collages, objects, chests, and cabinets created between the 1930s and 1960s. Case Studies explores a diverse group of suitcase-based works created by artists ranging from Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys, to Tony Oursler and Erika Wanenmacher.

The Museum of Art is pleased to welcome Peter Sís back to the Leaning Center with an exhibition of his original drawings from the book The Train of States. Sís, a Caldecott- award winning illustrator, was inspired to create The Train of States after a visit to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin where he saw a collection of hand-carved and hand-painted antique circus wagons. He did a great deal of research to create this book which is made clear by the many tiny details in each elaborate watercolor painting including state flags, nicknames, mottoes, birds, trees, and animals as well as important people or sites.

About the Museum-- The Katonah Museum of Art, designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, is a non-collecting institution dedicated to encouraging the enjoyment, appreciation and study of the visual arts by visitors of all ages. The KMA offers a series of changing exhibitions, active community outreach, and over 150 lectures, workshops, and concerts annually. The KMA has built a national reputation for excellence based on the quality of its exhibitions and innovative education programs that are enjoyed by over 40,000 individuals annually. Recent exhibitions include: Henri Matisse: A Celebration of French Poets & Poetry, I ♥ the Burbs, Richard Diebenkorn Prints, 1948-1993, and Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Buddhist Art.

Museum Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12 to 5pm, Closed Mondays
Admission: 10 am – 12 Noon: free; 12 – 5 pm: admission $5, seniors and students $3; Members and children under 12 free