| AUGUST 23, 2007 -- Large or small, traditional or wacky, our country fairs are densely woven into the fabric of the region's history and ties to the past. The family-friendly season of rural celebrations is underway and continues through mid-October.
Janet Serra, director of the Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, "Fairs are part of the region's cultural heritage, and volunteers do amazing work to maintain the agricultural history of the area."
For many children, these fairs are their first chance to see farm animals, such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs, firsthand. Most of the fairs include a judging of these prize specimens as well as contests for produce, baking, cooking, quilting and a lineup of musical entertainment. Most fairs are also rife with midway rides, games, food and souvenirs.
These traditional late-summer celebrations are time-tested traditions; many have been going on for a half-century or more. The fairs give local farmers an opportunity to display their prize crops and animals, and for domestic gods and goddesses to show off their fanciest baking and cooking, including the much-lauded pork cook-off at the Goshen Fair.
Linda Konopaske, secretary of the Terryville Country Fair, one of the larger events in the region, said that Terryville is unique. "We have a bit of everything," she said. "We are family-oriented and have entertainment going constantly at the gazebo all weekend-everything from karate demonstrations to ventriloquists, jugglers, balloon artists and magicians."
The fair features pie and watermelon-eating contests for kids and has more than 1,000 exhibits. The professional entertainment will be highlighted this year by a performance by Dickey Betts & Great Southern. Mr. Betts, performing Sunday at 2 p.m., was the guitar guru behind many of The Allman Brothers seminal recordings. This show is included in the fair's $8 admission price (kids under 12 are admitted free). On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Marty Brown brings his own brand of country to rock the crowd.
Oxen pulls, the three-horse hitch and pony pull always thrill the crowds in Terryville, as do the Friday and Saturday night, fireworks displays. At least 10,000 people attend this fair each year.
By popular demand, fair organizers have re-instated the popular pig-racing event, though instead of the famed Robinson pigs, they have hired the Hot Dog Racing Pigs from Jackson, N.J. This troupe brings not only the quick little oinkers but also Daschund dogs that race wearing hot dog costumes, hence the group's name, according to Ms. Konopaske, who said, "That should be a big draw."
The Old Time Lumberjack Show is also new to Terryville this year. The professional entertainers, who have been on ESPN and Prime Time Sports, are famous for their chopping skills and rolling logs in a pool of water.
A motocross freestyle show by Team FMX will also debut on Terryville's lineup. The extreme bikers, who should appeal to the teenaged fairgoers, have appeared on MTV, American Choppers and Fox Sports Network.
Ms. Konopaske noted that the fair does have a purpose beyond pleasure, though. "This is a major agricultural event for the state of Connecticut. A lot of the families that participate in our events are farming families and it's important not to forget them and where our food comes from. They are the core of America. It's important for young people, who come here having no idea how a sheep is sheared or where milk comes from, to learn that here," she explained.
Litchfield's Grange Fair, set for tomorrow (Aug. 25), is a very different style of fair, according to its chairperson, Janet Healy. There are no rides, games or things to buy at this educational event. "Our particular fair is strictly a fair. We have a vegetable and fruit display and lots of flowers and baking contests. There are arts and crafts and fancywork. It's very traditional. We don't ask people to come in and sell things, although there are hot dogs and sodas for those who want to eat at the [10 a.m. until 2 p.m.] event," she said.
Ms. Healy said that efforts have been made to "keep the fair as simple as we can. We want to keep it agriculture- and family-oriented. Some grange fairs incorporate other things, but we don't."
She believes fairs such as this are important because "that's what we all were here, way back when, and that's what some of us still are," she said of people who hold rural values dear.
Goshen Fair, held over Labor Day weekend, is another no-holds-barred type of event. Revelers can take free country line dance lessons and see the Mid-Hudson Juggling Club in action at The Goshen Agricultural Society event. The 90-year strong tradition features a Draft Horse show and the much-loved Antique Barn where demonstrations of old-fashioned skills such as quilting, spinning, weaving and basketry are demonstrated.
The Bethlehem Fair, to be held for the 83rd year from September 7, 8 and 9, will feature Cruise Night on Friday, where 1950s, 60s and 70s cars will begin pulling into the fairgrounds at 5 p.m. The Hollerin' Contest on Sunday at 10 a.m. allows kids and adults to take pride in their loud voices. Contestants are given a phrase to holler and whoever can yell it the loudest wins.
"The kids go crazy for it," said Fair Office Administrator Bernie Law. At 2 p.m. the Agri-Olympics pits farmer against farmer in skills such as hay bale tossing, cow milking, farm chores and the egg toss.
Much of the Harwinton Fair aims to be like stepping back in time. A country store, a blacksmith shop and demonstrations of old time crafts make visitors feel like they have traveled through time and are visiting Early American settlers. In keeping with the historical theme, the fair features two performances by Bristol's Old Tyme Fiddlers band. Harwinton's fair is probably similar to what life was like in Harwinton when the fair debuted-151 years ago this October.
For more information on fairs, call the Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-663-1273 or see the following Web sites: www.litchfieldhills.com; www.ctfairs.org; www.terryvillefair.org; www.goshenfair.org; www.bethlehemfair.com, or www.harwintonfair.com.
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