By Robert Barlow, staff writer
Rush-Henrietta Post
Tue Jul 08, 2008, 07:24 AM EDT

Henrietta, N.Y. -
Attendees of this year’s Monroe County Fair will be able to eat like astronauts.

In order to colonize or travel to other planets, space explorers must produce their own food. Traditional farming won’t work because alien soils may be hostile to agriculture and soil is too heavy to take into space. The solution — hydroponics  — or growing in something that is not soil based. 

Sunset Hydroponics and FreshLink Farms have teamed up to create an exhibit on space agriculture that will be presented in SpacePort USA. Attendees can taste salsa made from hydroponically grown tomatoes, cilantro and peppers and then plant a bean seed in oasis material to take home with them and watch it grow. Personnel from Sunset Hydroponics will be on hand to answer questions about that type of gardening, and members of the New Frontier Society will show how foods in space have evolved into the more tasty entrees on today’s Space Station.

“To Grow Where No One Has Grown Before” is one of the many new exhibits focused on a more hands-on experience for the whole family to enjoy, said Frances Tepper, executive director of the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association.

“With today’s rising gas and food prices, more families are staying close to home for the summer,” Tepper said. “We have packaged our exhibits so that there is something for everyone.”

Salsa isn’t the only edible treat featured at the fair. Wegmans’ “Eat Well; Live Well” exhibit will offer healthful smoothies to taste and to make at home.

For those interested in horsepower — one, 10, 100 and more will be on tap.

“Horses, Horses, Horses!” will provide equine entertainment and educational family fun during the daily shows. Vintage Stock Cars, the world’s largest demolition derby and tractor pulls will provide “gear-heads” with a more high-octane experience. For those searching for a new daily driver, Toyota will provide test drives of its Tundra pickup.

Unity Health System will provide Toddler Square, a place for families with small children to take part in games, an art fair and other activities. A toddler play area, a room for nursing moms, and a diaper changing station will also be available.

“Don’t miss dollar day,” said Tepper. “If people are looking for something fun to do on a buck — Wednesday is the day.”

Admission on July 9 for anyone older than 12 is  $1 and all-day ride wristbands are $12 — $3 off the regular price of $15. Admission to anyone under 12 is always free. Dollar day also features specials at some concession stands, parking will be reduced to $1 and the first 100 people at the grandstand will get $1 off their grandstand admission.

The Monroe County Fair runs Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13 at the Monroe County Fair and Expo Center in Henrietta. For ticket information, schedules and more information, call (585) 334-4000 or visit www.mcfair.com.

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