Toy Farm Show comes to Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — The Orange County Toy Farm Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is an idea that developed over time, according to chairperson Edith Bush.

"They hold toy shows all over the country and so years ago we took my son Lee to one upstate and it was a toy farm show," she explained. "It is basically a model train show but you take out the trains and put in farm stuff. The nearest one was in Pine Plains in Dutchess County so we've traveled to them in other areas over the years and thought that the people in this area would enjoy it. Everyone that we met was so friendly so we started this and now there are about 50 tables."

If it sounds like an unusual combination, Bush is quick to assure that it is not.

"There are all different kinds of toy shows," she said. "Others do it. It's a hobby that some people do. My son started out just buying plastic barns and things but over the years he has gotten more involved. He can craft things out of wood now."

While Bush may be a veteran of these types of events this is the first one in the area.

"I heard that there was one here about 10 or 20 years ago but I don't remember it," she said.

The fair will benefit the Education Center and 4-H Park in Mount Hope for a few reasons.

"We knew we wanted it to go to 4-H because my co-chair and I are alumni. We've volunteered with them all our lives," Bush said. "We also wanted to do this with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County because we heard about the park at Mount Hope and it sounds like a great thing that we wanted to help."

Though this is her first time organizing such an event, Bush is already looking to the future.

"We hope to turn this into an annual thing," she said. "We've already had people ask about next year. We hope to make it bigger. We think that people will go this year to see what it is like."

The fair is Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church Parish Hall Gym, 626 Route 22, Middletown. Admission is $3 or free for kids under five. There will be memorabilia, gift items and even a raffle for a John Deere 8530 Dual Wheel Pedal Tractor.

"This is something for the young and old. There will be food, trophies and ribbons for everyone," Bush said. "When people ask I tell them to think of a train show but instead of the trains it is barns and silos and sheds."