Oct. 4-5

The highlight of the harvest season is the Agricultural Society Exhibition and Fair Oct. 4-5, an authentic 19th-century country fair with all the sights, sounds and aromas of fall. And there is something for everyone.

There are exhibitions in more than 150 categories of judged baked goods, preserves, hand-made needlecrafts and the industrial arts—including tin, iron and wooden wares; pottery; cooperage (barrel making); printing; and broom and soap making. Youth compete in 60 different aged categories, from penmanship to pumpkin pie. Among the competitions are those for the largest pumpkin, one for weight and a second for size. The competitions are open to museum members and the public alike and most have both 19th-century and 21st-century categories..

Eye-catching 19th-century vegetables, many of them unfamiliar to modern gardeners, will also be found in a special vegetable and floral tent.

Prize-winning pigs, sheep, oxen, cows, horses and goats will be on display in addition to a poultry show, sponsored by the Rochester Poultry Assn.

The popular produce tent features specialty vendors offering smoked meats, cheeses, baked goods, maple products, spices, honey, cider, apples and other specialty items.

There will also be live entertainment, including 19th-century musicians and Punch & Judy and magic shows.

And, as was common at 19th-century fairs, museum vintage base ball teams will square off for the Mayor’s Cup championship trophy.

The consolation game will be played Saturday and the championship game on Sunday. Both games are at 1:30 p.m. and are played at Silver Base Ball Park, the only replica 1800s base ball park in the nation.

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