THE FIFTH SEASON – FAIR TIME – AUGUST 2023

I believe I am back “out and about” – YEAH. Covid slowed us all down, back hiccups and balance have slowed me down – but I am out and again exploring as I mentioned in my last post that included Squam Lake, and a discovery there leading to another post coming soon. I have enjoyed country fairs over the years, but this year I seem to have discovered more of them, and made a point to visit them. This story will cover three fairs I attended from 18-27 August: Hardwick, Massachusetts; Cornish, New Hampshire; and Bondville, Vermont.

Some fairs I have enjoyed in the past, or just learned about, and now “on the list” – they include

Andover, New Hampshire – August 6, 2023 — learned of this three days later when passing through – well – next year
One of my readers just shared The 162nd Woodstock Fair September 1-4, 2023
in South Woodstock, Connecticut – maybe?
Guilford, Vermont – September 3-4, 2023 — my visit in 2021
another reader just clued me in to the Hopkinton fair (NH) –Aug 31^st to Sept 4^th, 2023
Greenfield, Massachusetts – September 7-10
going for the first time this year
Tunbridge World’s Fair – September 14-17 — my visits in 2021 and 2015
Peru, Vermont – September 23, 2023 — my visit in 2018 — will miss this year due to a unique train excursion – a worthwhile sacrifice
The BIG E – Springfield, Massachusetts – September 15 – October 1, 2023 — getting there this year for the first time

Fortunately based on my interests I get some interesting links on Facebook. Not a fan of Facebook, at least seldom post there anymore, but it is a great discovery source. I believe that is how I learned of the HARDWICK (Massachusetts) COMMUNITY FAIR – self-proclaimed “The Oldest Fair in the United States.” From their history, “Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles an early settler to Hardwicke and a prominent loyalist to the King. … as speaker of the House in 1762, with Hardwicke being very prosperous, Timothy Ruggles used his position to promote a formal act of the court, establishing the first Fair to be held in his home town of Hardwick, to be known as the Hardwicke Fair. This was the equivalent of having the King grant his favor in England.” But as you read their history it has not been continuous for 261 years. Hardwick is one of those towns that you have to go there – off the “beaten path,” that is the only way. Just east of the Quabbin Reservoir on Route 32A, you will see what I mean. You have to plan to go there.

But, on my way on the major roads, I made some “major finds” for Ray. Orange Orbs caught my eye, I backed up for a yard sale, and I now own a blow mold trick or treat pail (c1960s A. J. Renzi #1100), and a newer (but amazing) lighted pumpkin (out a whole dollar). And, then a “new” tin chandelier. You may know I love Colonial tinware, this is new, on Amazon for $250, but why not for $45 at an antique shop I like to frequent. Just have to now build an addition to use it.

Each of the fairs I visited and am relating here, had their “own feel.” In Hardwick I felt I was at a welcoming town picnic where the community was out visiting their neighbors at the fair on the Common. The post office faces the Common

opposite on the Common is the ubiquitous church and Civil War memorial statue.

around the Common – just neighborhood booths sharing the spaces (please do remember you can “click” on an image in my galleries for larger views”)

at fairs I search out the community group food booths to support those organizations, and not the “commercial” food trucks or vendors. Here I think there was only the fair committee itself offering food. Driving down I decided I wanted to have the perfect sausage sandwich with grilled peppers and onions – I was not disappointed, and this time with “Mom’s Red Sauce”. I thanked Mom.

not billed as an agricultural fair, but while I was eating I watched the long, long tractor parade — no, not something I need to own, but can enjoy others enjoying “their toys.”

The historical society was next to where I enjoyed my lunch, so I headed in there next, learning this history of the fair and enjoying the exhibits.

Here is my first “first” seen here at a fair — exhibit and awards for the “1st Cutting Mixed Hay.”

in the background above you can see the scarecrow contest in the cemetery and below.

You should know that over the last 62 years I have owned nine Model A Fords, and lament selling each one. Now every time I see one, I still desire another. This 1931 Model A Ford pickup was parked along the cemetery – “I want another.” Have one in your barn you don’t need? I need it.

now for my “second first” seen at a fair — a wide variety of rabbits shared by folks who love and need rabbits as I love and need another Model A. And, after talking about them, each was put into its paces jumping along a cushioned course.

How do you beat all this fun? The next day Sunday, BLUE BELLE and I took off for the Cornish, New Hampshire Fair, started in 1949 and now 73 years old. Remember I said each fair had its own feel, and differences? Cornish was fun, and I had not remembered what my Cathy and I experienced maybe 19 years ago. Exhibit barns, multiple simultaneous agricultural contests, and a midway with more aggressive and daring rides. And, the food and souvenir vendors.

Here is the Farm Museum sponsored by the NH Antique Tractor Club which is involved with much of the fair.

you know I like “hit and miss” engines. The above is a 1928 Economy purchased new by Paul Tewksbury, and on loan from his great-grandson, Paul Tewksbury. And, then I was “flagged down” and offered some ice cream fresh from an ice cream freezer churn powered by a “hit n miss.” YUM

It appears that a necessary event at an agricultural country fair is the tractor pull. Chatting with folks I learned much – kinda fun to watch even if you do not know the contestants and classes – by weight I believe.

this was a pretty intense conversation – I only caught about half of the conversation.

I also learned there is more than one way to get to a country fair.

also new to me was the chain saw competition. Many different ways they were competing and many different rules. Fun to watch, trust me, I will not be competing.

In many spots around the grounds were hand-written notes on 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of paper – Lasagna Dinner at the school – sponsored by the Masonic Lodge – $13 with salad, drink, bread, and ice cream desert. Remember above I said I would prefer to support a non-profit group instead of a commercial vendor? Well, that was my choice, and asking one of the cart drivers on the ground where the school was she said, “hop in I will take you.” Yes, uneven ground and I did carry a cane – not abusing it, but was easier.

It was just right, and nice in the school, sitting down with only a few other folks.

A crowd sat on a hillside listening to a group – they really did sound like Fleetwood Mac.

and, on leaving I strolled out through the midway, and checked out the cows.

On the way home I wanted to re-explore Crescent Lake, and the Cold River that I wrote about this month in my history article, DID YOU KNOW THAT…? in my newspaper – THE WALPOLE CLARION, September issue, page 8. Checking the maps, I found where the old 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike headed south from Claremont, and off I went on a road, “new to me,” but over 200 years old. I arrived at the lake

then trying to find a certain secluded spot with a waterfall I headed to South Acworth. Here is the bridge across the Cold River, but I did not find the spot I wanted. Notice the shale rock.

exploring back roads (of which there are few) in the area, I found this washout from the July flooding.

Following the river to Walpole, built in 1869, the McDermott Bridge spans the Cold River
in Langdon, and is visible from Route 123A, just north of Vilas Pool Park. Below the bridge, and a view of the Cold River.

And, then BLUE BELLE and I returned home, awaiting the coming weekend, and the Bondville (Vermont) Fair, attending, Sunday, 27 August.

The 225th Bondville fair, this is a very small family friendly fair with a small midway appealing to younger riders, a couple animals, and the ubiquitous tractor pull. BUT a special reason for why I needed to go, and finally got there after missing for a number of years. My longest time friend, Mimsy, who I knew from pre-kindergarten, she and I visited Bondville several times during her visits. Her grandparents owned a summer home on the hill across the road from the grounds, and she would visit them. This trip was for her. So glad I went, I love traveling the area, and this was a comforting stop on my outing. BLUE BELLE was not so sure when challenged to the tractor pull.