Fairs prepare to return
With vaccination rates rising, fairs, festivals are returning.
In spring and summer 2020, Connecticut’s agricultural fairs fell like dominoes. But with rising vaccination rates, 2021 may be a comeback year for cotton candy and tractor pulls, carnival rides and listening to live music under a warm, starry sky.
“We are thrilled to announce the 2021 Portland Fair is on!” that fair announced on its website. “We are hard at work planning a fun, safe event. Stayed tuned for entertainment announcements.”
Barb Hammarlund, the assistant secretary of the Guilford Agricultural Society, which runs the Guilford Fair, said, “We’re looking forward to having the community come back and have some enjoyment and a piece of normalcy.
“There are a lot of 4H kids, FFA kids, who work with animals all year round. Last year, with no fair, not being able to show, was a big disappointment. That’s what it’s all about. They want to show what they’ve grown, what they’ve made. Whether you come in first or last, you are participating. You’re being part of a community.”
It’s doubtful all fairs will return. Some organizers are leery of what state guidelines will be when their weekends come around. Also, many people may stay home regardless of guidelines. With those uncertainties in mind, nonprofit groups that run fairs may not be able to afford the upfront costs.
Here is a list of fairs whose representatives have confirmed their events will take place this year. As dates get closer, check websites or Facebook to make sure fairs have not been canceled anyway.
▪ July 8 to 11: North Stonington Agricultural Fair, 21 Wyassup Road. northstoningtonfair.org.
▪ Aug. 26 to 29: Brooklyn Fair, 15 Fairgrounds Road. brooklynfair.org
▪ Sept. 4 to 6: Goshen Fair, 116 Old Middle St. goshenfair.org.
▪ Sept. 9 to 12: Hebron Harvest Fair, 347 Gilead St. hebronharvestfair.org.
Sept. 9 to 12: Wapping Fair, Rye Street Park, 75 Brookfield St. in South Windsor. wappingfair.org.
▪ Sept. 10 to 12: Bethlehem Fair, 384 Main St. North. bethlehemfair.com.
▪ Sept. 16 to 19: Four Town Fair, 56 Egypt Road in Somers, fourtownfair.com.
▪ Sept. 17 to 19: Guilford Fair, Stone House Lane and Lovers Lane. guilfordfair. org.
▪ Sept. 17 to 19: Berlin Lions Agricultural Fair, 430 Beckley Road, East Berlin. ctberlinfair.com
▪ Oct. 1 to 3: Portland Agricultural Fair, Route 17A. portlandfair.com.
Those who want to go to a lot of fairs can buy a 2021 Season Pass, which entitles holders to free admission for themselves and one guest to all member fairs. Those who bought a 2020 season pass will get a free 2021 pass. Those who want to buy a 2021 pass can do so for $100 at ctagfairs.org.
For updates on fair schedules, visit www.ctagfairs. org/p/ctagfairs-eventsand-dates/event-map.