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08/10/2016 06:00 AMW hile many people associate fairs with the fall weather, the fair season starts heating up in late summer. Once fair season kicks off, fairgoers can attend a fair every weekend with the exception of Labor Day from Friday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 25.
Many of the local fairs have been around for the past century—the Guilford Fair dates back to 1859!—with generations of volunteers coming together to create these community events.
“There are so many good things about our fair I don’t even know where to start,” said Larry Kalbfeld of the Guilford Fair. “There is something for everyone.”
At the Durham Fair, there are usually more than 200 cows and 300 rabbits, chicks, goals, llamas, donkeys, sheep, alpacas, and pigs.
“Fairgoers can get up and personal with more than 1,000 animals,” said Debbie Huscher, the fair’s marketing coordinator. “Fairgoers can peruse the barns, talk to the owners or exhibitors, and watch shows and competitions.”
The Chester Fair, which is in its 138th year, is designated a “major fair” by the Association of Connecticut Fairs and is one of the first of the busy fair season. More than 10,000 visitors attend the fair each year.
“It’s hard for me to say what I think is the best part, but I think what makes us special is, it really is stepping back in time when you attend the Chester Fair,” said fair representative Nancy McGee. “We are known as an agricultural fair that appeals to all age groups.”
The free entertainment “really helps parents stretch their dollars and provide old-fashioned fun,” says McGee. “The antique tractor pull, food, animals, entertainment, exhibits, and all the children’s free games are what make us such a great fair.”
Here are some details about some of the fairs coming up:
Hamburg Fair, Lyme
The Hamburg Fair is holding is 115th annual fair from Friday, Aug. 19 to Sunday, Aug. 21 in Lyme. Special exhibits include alpacas, a petting zoo, and a children’s corner.
There will be carnival rides and midway games with ride bracelets offered each day. Visitors can also enjoy clown skits, food, pony rides, and exhibits of crafts, fruits, and vegetables.
There is also a full schedule of musical entertainment throughout the weekend. Featured performers include Braiden Sunshine on Friday, Aug. 19, Mystic Horns on Saturday, Aug. 20, and The Old Time Fiddlers on Sunday, Aug. 21.
The fair is run by volunteers from Lyme and surrounding communities. The board meets 11 times between fairs.
Chester Fair
Ever since the 2015 Chester Fair ended, the team of volunteers has been preparing for the 2016 fair, which runs Friday, Aug. 26 to Sunday, Aug. 28. The Chester Fair Association is a not-for-profit organization made up of dedicated volunteers from Chester and many area towns.
The Chester Fair has horse and cattle pulls; competitions for animals, agriculture, and crafts; attractions and games; entertainment; and more. Ride wristbands will be available for $25. There is also a wide variety of free entertainment and games for children like visits with Ronald McDonald, the pedal tractor pull, frog jumping contest—bring your own frog!—magic shows, and the corn kernel sandbox.
The racing pigs are always a popular attraction and this year, the Chester Fair has expanded that fun to showcase “Barnyard Racers,” which also includes racing ducks and dachshunds.
“The No. 1 call we get each year is ‘When are the race times for the little pigs?’” said McGee. “This year there will be pigs, ducks, and dachshunds—that will certainly be a big deal.”
Every year there is a highlighted educational topic with the 2016 subject being “Raising Chickens.” There will be a chick-hatching area and Michael Darre, Ph.D., a UConn professor with 35 years experience in the College of Agriculture, will hold a program on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
“We expect this to be very popular due to the explosion in the number of people with backyard flocks,” said McGee.
There will be seven bands providing live music onstage throughout the weekend. Braiden Sunshine, a semifinalist on The Voice, will return to the Chester Fair.
“We have great musical entertainment and this year is no exception—all of our bands are huge draws, but I know this will be extra special this year,” said McGee. “People plan on meeting there at the end of the summer for one last blast of vacation before school begins. It’s great to see all the kids meet up with their friends and hang out before all the busy fall obligations begin.”
North Haven Fair
The 74th annual North Haven Fair is Thursday, Sept. 8 to Sunday, Sept. 11 and will have rides, games, food, entertainment, exhibits, vendors, and more. This is the first year featuring the craft barn where local crafters can sell their wares. Opening night is “Throwback Thursday” and admission is just $5.
Entertainment is scheduled throughout the weekend. In addition to a full lineup of music highlighted by country star Craig Campbell on Saturday, Sept. 10, there is a wide variety of other entertainment as well.
There will be pony-drawing, ox-drawing, and horse-drawing contests; jugglers; chainsaw carving demonstrations; kids’ games; and more. On Sunday, Sept. 11, former WWE superstar Matt Hardy will be featured.
Animal lovers can visit the sheep, cows, rabbits, and chickens. Horizon Wings introduces guests to eagles and hawks with a presentation and petting zoon and baby chicks are also featured in Old Macdonald’s Farm.
The home arts building showcases woodworking, sewing, photography, and a children’s display. Vegetables, baking, flowers, Boy Scout exhibits, and Girl Scout exhibits can be found in the agriculture building.
East Haven Fall Fest
The East Haven Fall Festival will be even bigger in 2016 as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The festival will kick off with an opening-day parade.
“We will have a booth containing festival historical documents and pictures,” said Al Zullo, chairman of this year’s festival, which will be held from Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11.
More than 30,000 people visit the East Haven Green throughout the course of the weekend to enjoy the food, business and community organization booths, rides, presentations, the Teen Corner, and special events, such as the road race on Saturday, Sept. 10 and the car show on Sunday, Sept. 11.
“The festival is an event that generates excitement and brings the community together,” said Zullo. “It also allows our businesses and community groups to gain exposure through out the weekend.”
Perhaps the biggest draw, though, is the national acts that the East Haven Fall Festival committee books each year. The 2016 headlining act is The Spinners, which performs on Saturday, Sept. 10.
“The Fall Festival has become one of the best free entertainment venues in the state,” said Zullo. “The festival has become such a tradition that people start asking about the next year’s entertainment in October.”
Admission to the Fall Festival is free and Zullo notes the importance of support from the businesses and community to make the event such a success. He is happy to be involved in the event and loves what it brings to the town of East Haven.
“My favorite part is the food and getting too see people that I do not get to see often anymore,” said Zullo.
Guilford Fair
The organizers of the Guilford Fair, in its 156th year, have always seen the community come together for the weekend of the fair. They have seen exhibitors return year after year from those who live in town and those who return to their hometown to enter items in arts and crafts, needlework, photography, spinning, and more.
As about 30,000 visitors head to the fair each year, Guilford High School’s classes of 1956, 1971, and 1976 are all holding reunions during the weekend of the fair, which is Friday, Sept. 16 to Sunday, Sept. 18.
Another person returning home to Guilford for the fair is American Idol winner Nick Fradiani, who will headline the entertainment schedule on Saturday, Sept. 17. Big Shot, the Billy Joel Tribute Band, performs on Friday, Sept. 16.
“We always have great musical artists each day,” said Kalbfeld. “All fairs have entertainment and we pride ourselves on having the best family entertainment.”
The Flying Wallendas have been a mainstay of what is called the “Guilford Family Circus” for many years. There are also horse and oxen pulls and judged flower, animal, and vegetable exhibits.
“The Guilford Fair stands out because we are one of the major fairs in the state, but we’ve kept it true to its agricultural roots,” said Kalbfeld. “Our fair is more than a carnival. It exemplifies our community spirit through exhibits and competitions.”
Durham Fair
The 97th annual Durham Fair is Thursday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 25 and the planning committee is busy finalizing details as it prepares to welcome more than 200,000 people to the Durham Fair ground over the four-day weekend. All of this is coordinated by hundreds of volunteers.
“One of the things that makes our fair special is we are an all volunteer fair – we may be one of the largest in the country,” said Huscher. “Approximately 250 directors, superintendents, and coordinators work year-round getting ready for the fair and then for the fair, we have approximately 1,600 volunteers helping out. It’s pretty amazing to see the spirit of community and volunteerism come alive—it’s a fantastic group of volunteers.”
The Durham Fair features rides, games, fair food, crafts, and commercial shopping, as well as an array of educational activities such as the farm museum, Discovery Tent, and 9,000 exhibits in baking, vegetables, youth, crafts, giant pumpkins, and more.
There are new additions to the motorized events entertainments schedule. On Sunday, Sept. 25, there will be a Monster Truck Show and an all female mini-van demolition derby.
Other entertainment includes the Marvelous Mutts, which have several showtimes. National headlining acts will also be featured throughout the weekend and the concerts. Old Dominion plays on Friday, Sept. 23, Foreigner performs on Saturday, Sept. 24, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas close out the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 25.
“These wonderful acts are all included in the low price of admission,” said Huscher. “There are so many things that make our fair great.”