GOUVERNEUR -- The Gouverneur & St. Lawrence County Fair may be eligible for a $200,000 grant to offset improvements and renovations associated with operating the event.

The fair runs from Aug. 2 to Aug. 7 and features a variety of rides, musical acts, games and agricultural contests

Sen. Agricultural Committee Chair Patricia Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, is encouraging county fairs to apply for grants from a $5 million Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program this fall.

Grant funding will not exceed $200,000 and will be awarded on a first-come basis.

“Across New York State, and especially in the rural regions I represent, county fairs are places that not only offer family-friendly entertainment, but also a great opportunity for people to learn about animals, locally grown and produced foods, and all things agriculture. I was proud to advocate for funding of this important program in the state budget, and look forward to seeing how it helps our county fairs across the state move forward with critical infrastructure upgrades,” Patricia Ritchie said.

Funding for the program was appropriated in the 2016-17 New York State Budget, and will help offset the cost of improvement and renovation projects, including new construction, at eligible county fairs.

This is the first time in nearly a decade that the state has included funding for the county fairs.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which is administering the grant program, will release detailed eligibility requirements and the application this fall, allowing the county fairs time to prepare project proposals that are shovel-ready and that could be implemented starting next year.

All county fairs interested in applying for funding are encouraged to register in the Grants Gateway in advance at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/IntelliGrants_NYSGG/module/nysgg/goportal.aspx

If any county fairs need assistance with the Grants Gateway, they can call the Department at 518-457-2195.