Results from the 2023 Altamont Fair Art Show

I’ve had several successes at the Altamont Fair’s Fine Arts and Photography show. I’ve also had some stunning failures.

In 2009, 2010 and 2012, my artwork would appear on the walls – but would earn no ribbons or prize money.

Then there was a time when I had successes in the Fair, including blue ribbons for shots like Washington County, 2:30 a.m. and After the Rain. Which was good.

Now the last two years, I’ve scored a pair of honorable mentions for my images. Not exactly first, second or third place, but at least they’re still getting some love.

So let’s see how things turn out this year.

As usual … the Altamont Fair’s parking lot is essentially a game of me versus the parking attendants. The parking attendants keep pointing you to take your car as far down the lot as possible, despite the clear view of several nearby parking spots. At some point, you just look at the parking attendant, and they glower back at you and keep pointing down the lot. Jeez, a few more feet and I’d end up in another county.

Anyway … I finally parked, and entered the fairgrounds. Normally I would stop at one of the eateries – usually Josie’s – and get a sandwich prior to visiting the Fine Art Center building. This time, however, I went to another eatery and dined on – arguably – the driest tacos ever manufactured. Blech. Well, at least I tried.

Okay. Into the Fine Art Center building. Let’s see if my photos have nice ribbons and prize money attached to them.

Okay … no ribbon for (5/8) = 2. Probably too complicated. I may save this one for the Durham Fair, or offer it if the Albany Patroons do any type of fundraising charity auction.

Yeesh. No love for Hudson River Sunrise. That’s not good. I’m sensing a bit of a struggle here.

Surely Atomic Nipper will have some love attached to it. Surely, you say.

I guess I shouldn’t use that old Airplane! joke about surely you can’t be serious.

Okay. It all depends now on the SC&H Railroad Crossing image, my lenticular shot of the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad train as it crosses a snowy Route 9N – with the crossing lights flashing back and forth as one walks across.

And …

Hello, third place!! Third place in color photo overall! Swank!

This is my first “ranked place” win since 2019, and I’ll take it any day of the week.

So this actually means that my photos involving the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad have made it to FOUR different competitions (the Big E last year; Iowa, Altamont and the NYS Fair this year). I may re-purpose this lenticular shot for Durham later this year. And don’t think I won’t. 😀

Okay. This feels good. Good enough that I stopped by the Grange building and celebrated by purchasing a soft-crocheted afghan. This will actually look nice when it’s draped over my couch.

I also walked through the Arts and Crafts building, and talked to the organizers. I didn’t enter anything this year, but there’s no reason for me not to consider putting something in next year. We shall see.

And on the way out, I purchased some fresh “right out of the hen’s ass that morning” eggs from the poultry barn. Listen, $3/dozen and if you don’t care which eggs come from which chickens, you’ll get some tasty food.

And yes, I ended up with another wrinkled-shell egg in the dozen. Probably laid by a hen suffering from constipation or from hemorrhoids.

So yeah … a good run this year at Altamont. And, it’s my first ribbon of 2023.

Let’s keep the momentum going, shall we?