35th annual Country Fair in Babylon coming Sept. 7th

Shown in the photos: Long Island produce and flowers, which are available at the Country Fair, last year's duck sign, and the old-fashioned trolley which takes fairgoers around Argyle Park. The 35th annual Country Fair, which will be held Sun., Sept. 7, kicks off at noon at the Gazebo, at Argyle Park in Babylon Village, the site of continuous entertainment until 5 p.m., with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Trooping the Colors and local singer Christi Reinert leading the crowd in the National Anthem. The rain date of the fair is Sun., Sept. 14.

This year's fair will feature entertainment by The Third Edition, JC Revue, the Banjo Rascals and Joel Sikowitz and his Swing Band.

Surrounding the Gazebo is the food area with a wide array of food including roasted buttered corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, nachos, deli sandwiches, pickles, pretzels, bratwurst, fresh fruit and beverages of all kinds. Local farm fresh produce, pies, potted flowers and pumpkins will be for sale. The Country Store offers Vermont cheddar cheese, jams and jellies and an assortment of snacks and goodies and the book stall offers the opportunity to buy gently-used books. If anyone has books they wish to donate, please contact Pat Farrell at 631-666- 5447 or email Carol Krollage at ckrollage@yahoo. com

The old-fashioned trolley will give rides around the fair and you can take the children to the kiddie area, where there is a pony ride, petting zoo, rides and games.

On the north side of Montauk Highway, fairgoers can get a start on holiday shopping at more than 250 craft booths offering everything from Christmas ornaments to lawn ornaments, baby clothes and toys, wreaths, dried flowers, jewelry and more.

The information booth on the south side of Montauk Highway will have chances for some great raffle prizes.

The Babylon Beautification Society Country Fair is one of the oldest and largest fairs on Long Island. Back in 1973, when Isabel Gallagher and other Babylon Beautification Society members decided to hold a country fair to raise money to beautify Babylon Village, they had no idea it would become so large.