Hamburg Fair features music, fun and food

LYME » Carnival rides, animal exhibits, food concessions, pony rides, oxen-pull, crafts, kids games and top local musicians are among the favorite attractions for visitors attending the annual Hamburg Fair, now celebrating its 116th year.

Hosted by The Lyme Grange, the fair takes place rain or shine, Friday from 5 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1 Sterling City Road, Lyme, at the intersection of Route 156 and across from Reynolds’ Subaru.

General admission to the fair is $7 per person, kids up to age 12 are free. Senior citizens and active service men and women $5 per person, with ID.

Tickets are available at the entrance and free parking is offered on and nearby the site.

Visit www.hamburgfair.org for fair schedule, exhibit entry, and more information.

The three-day, familyfriendly fair showcases many agricultural fair traditions including entries and exhibits for farm, animal, crafts, fruits, vegetables and more. The intimate size of the fair makes for easy navigation, parking and crowd control.

Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., young fairgoers will enjoy kids games, which include a watermelon-eating contest, face painting, a three-legged race and prize-winning contests.

Visitors are invited to watch the traditional pony, horse on Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and oxen pull on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Free on-stage music talent and entertainment is a growing Hamburg Fair highlight. From country to pop, fiddlers to funk, there is something for everyone who enjoys live music. The fair kicks off Friday evening music with performances in the amphitheater from country music favorites Katie Perkins and Branded. See many local young artists hosted by Music Now and Nightingale’s Showcase on Saturday afternoon, including Connected, Sophie Spaner, Jake Kulak and Braiden Sunshine. Saturday evening features local headliners Plywood Cowboy followed by Shiny Lapel Trio. Sunday afternoon concludes with the tradition of bluegrass and fiddling by Eight Mile River Band and the Old Time Fiddlers.

Each year the Hamburg Fair honors a cherished community member. The 116th Hamburg Fair is dedicated to the memory of Marita Knutson Rand, who proudly supported her community as a member and secretary of the Lyme Grange 147 and served as Hamburg Fair Committee Chairwoman and gatekeeper for more than 30 years. Rand was well known in the community; her involvements included Lyme Girl Scouts, Congregational Church of Lyme Sunday school teacher, American Legion Auxiliary member, Partner of Lymes General Store and manager of the Old Lyme Pharmacy Gift shop for 35 years.

Highlighted Sponsors of the Hamburg Fair include Reynolds’ Subaru, Hamilton Point Investments, GeoMatrix, Essex Savings Bank, Connected Systems, Guilford Savings Bank, Bogaert Construction, Middlesex Hospital, Lyme Public Hall Association, Wind River Environmental, Maddy Mattson Coldwell Banker, Block Design Build, Sapia Builders, Ring’s End, New England Power Equipment and Tiffany Built.

Visit www.hamburgfair.org for fair schedule, exhibit entry, and more information.

Mayor’s Ball tickets available

MIDDLETOWN » Mayor Daniel T. Drew will host the 12th annual Mayor’s Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. The invitation is open to all members of the public and businesses.

This year’s ball will benefit Donate Life CT and Amazing Grace Food Pantry, a division of St. Vincent DePaul.

The Mayor’s Ball will be catered by the Aqua Turf, and music for dancing by Mike Connolly, Sound Productions, LLC. Dress for the event is formal attire. Perceptions Photography will be on site to capture images of the evening that will be available for purchase after the event.

There are also many levels of sponsorships available, beginning at $50 and up to $2,000.

Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased in the Mayor’s Office, 245 de Koven Drive, Middletown. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, contact the Mayor’s Office at 860-638-4801.

State police collecting school supplies

MIDDLETOWN » Connecticut State Police are hosting a back to school supply drive through Aug. 24 for students in kindergarten through high school.

Items needed include crayons, pencils, glue sticks, markers, pens, rulers, composition books, erasers, pencil cases, notebooks, colored pencils, calculators and backpacks of all sizes. Items may be dropped off at headquarters, 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.