The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
101st fair a no-go this year
COVID-19 fears force directors to cancel large family friendly celebration of town’s agricultural past
DURHAM — It was an emotional moment for many members of the Durham Fair Agricultural Fair board of directors Wednesday night, as they voted to cancel the 101st annual event — the largest all-volunteer agricultural celebration in New England.
Members were faced with the difficult decision as far back as late February, as they began vetting safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The 31⁄2-day festival set to run in late September that has drawn as many as 220,000 people when the weather is favorable, will not take place this fall — something association President Daniel Miramant calls “natural disaster” of sorts.
Last year’s centennial included fireworks and concerts by the Little
River Band and award-winning country duo Big & Rich. Every year, there are thousands of exhibits laid out in a variety of buildings. Judges are tasked with determining winners in various categories, including farm animals, giant pumpkins, art, crafts and baking.
Children especially delight as they walk with their families along the midway and among vendors selling all sort of decadent food and snacks: fried Oreos, corn dogs, lime rickeys, sundaes, pizza, fried dough, freshly fried pastries and so much more.
Over the years, the fair has grown to include even more attractions, such as motorized events, games and rides.
“Given the uncertainty of this deadly virus, the potential resurgence during the fall time frame
and the health, safety and logistical impacts of our volunteers, fairgoers and community, our directors have voted decisively,” Miramant announced at Thursday morning on social media.
“During these very challenging times, we have been confronted with a life situation that was unexpected, historic, and (one that) has affected all our lives. Our beloved fair has endured for over a century through countless challenging situations and world situations,” he continued.
The event has been canceled just four times over its long history: three years during World War II (1942 to 1944), and once for the hurricane of 1938.
“Tears were shed over the decision, some of my own included,” First Selectwoman Laura Francis said Thursday. She also sits on the board of directors.
The entire community feels a sense of pride to pull off a successful event every year. “We knew it would be difficult to do within the safety guidelines, but the decision — from a physical and economic perspective — had to be made,” Francis added.
Some musical acts were already lined up for the long weekend, including The Roots and Boots Tour featuring Sammy Kershaw, Colin Raye and Arron Tippin; George Thorogood and the USO Show.
Miramant said officials are in talks to see if these acts can return next year.
“We are currently faced with a different type of natural disaster, a world pandemic. This pandemic has impacted all of us both on a personal and professional level and has changed the world we live in,” Miramant said.
Directors have struggled over the past few weeks in making the decision, all the time monitoring state and federal regulations surrounding such massive gatherings, he added.
The financial impact to local nonprofit clubs and other vendors were among everyone’s top concerns.
“It was a heartbreaking decision to make,” marketing director Debbie Huscher said. “There were so many different factors,”
she said, adding the safety of those planning to attend is “first and foremost” in everyone’s minds.
Vendors pull in tens of thousands of dollars, “maybe even six figures,” which will be eliminated from the budgets of these clubs and agencies due to the Durham Fair and many others in Connecticut that are or could be eliminated in 2020, Francis said.
She has served as the town’s leader for 28 years.
“We need to find another way to support agriculture. If the decision had been made to still hold it, we would have stood ready to support that, as well,” she said.
Approximately 1,700 volunteers manage to pull off the massive event. All those overseeing the fair had their welfare foremost in their minds, Huscher said. “Should they put their health on the line? Many said they don’t feel comfortable.”
The fair is among gatherings with the largest concentration of nonprofits because of its size, Miramant added. “The saddest part of this cancellation is, for a lot of them, that’s their major fundraising event annually.”
He and others will be looking to other largely attended festivals for ideas, such as New London’s Sailfest in July. Organizers already plan to hold a virtual fireworks show.
“We’re constrained by what we can do that will make sense. They’re not going to let this thing get them down,” Miramant said of vendors, the public and volunteers.
Fair leaders have been in constant contact with the governor’s reopening Connecticut task force and state Department of Economic and Community Development staff for the latest recommendations on public gatherings.
“Because of our size, we’re a big deal in the state, and one of the largest-mass gathering events,” such as the Travelers golf tournament, which this year will be held without attendees, Miramant said.
“Every scenario that we tried to play out, given the uncertainty of where we’ll be with state and federal guidelines, none of them made sense. None of them even came close to not compromising the health and safety of the volunteers and fairgoers,” Miramant said.
“We kept coming back to that dilemma,” he added.
Huscher and her son, who dons Marigold’s costume for special events, have been delivering “cowgrams” to residents since early April for anniversaries, birthdays or just pick-me-ups. They also visit older individuals isolated at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
To date, they’ve accomplished 92 visits, including four Thursday. “It’s a way to keep everyone motivated during tough times,” Huscher said.
Originally, the plan was to continue these surprise appearances until May 20, when some coronavirus restrictions are tentatively expected to be lifted by the governor, but Husher now has booked requests through the end of the month.
“It’s incredible: just trying to spread a little hope and joy through all of this,” Miramant said.
Meanwhile, Francis is eager for next year’s fair. “I’m looking forward to the directors getting creative and keeping the spirit of the Durham Fair alive between now and then,” she said.
For information, visit durhamfair.com, DurhamFairCT on Twitter or durhamfair on Facebook.