A month of smaller weekend events is replacing the traditional New Ipswich Congregational Church’s Children’s Fair.
The Children’s Fair, a tradition dating back more than 150 years, has become a fundraiser to benefit multiple children’s activities and charities that support families around the region, such as sports teams, scout troops, the library, River Center, Destination Imagination, scholarships for graduating Mascenic High School seniors and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Greenville. Last year, the fair raised about $16,000 for local organizations.
“From the feedback we got on Facebook, most of the community is grateful that the whole thing wasn’t called off,” said Christine Bergeron, one of the organizers of the fair. “We just have to do it differently this year.”
Bergeron said the fair typically draws between 1,500 and 2,000 people every year, and there’s no way to hold the fair in a single day, as it usually is.
This year, the fair, which traditionally includes lots of children’s games, a petting zoo, pony rides, a live auction, book sale and rummage sale, as well as music and puppet performances, is shifting into several smaller weekend events to prevent the gathering of large groups.
It begins on Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with items sold at the “Butch’s Country Store and Nellie’s Bake Sale,” the outdoor baked goods and sandwich shop that pops up each year at the fair.
“Fair goers” can purchase sausage subs with peppers and onions, as well as homemade jams, jellies and relishes, and baked goods and drinks. The helium balloon booth will also provide balloons to children.
The next Saturday, Aug. 15, there will be the Children’s Fair Day Parade. The parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. and return to the church at 12:15 p.m. Residents are encouraged to decorate their cars, either in the fair’s “Red, White and Blue” theme, or to mimic their favorite area of the fair and join in the parade, or to reflect their organization or club. The parade will travel around Greenville and New Ipswich, with a few stops to collect “treat bags” consisting of fair prizes for participating children. Prizes will be awarded for the most decorated vehicles. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicle and pass out treats as well. Parade participants are asked to register on the NICC Children’s Fair Facebook page on the parade event.
Also during the parade, the annual “Chicken BBQ” will be cooking, for those who have pre-bought tickets. Pickup for meals will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ice cream is available for sale following the parade.
On Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m ., the garden shop, baked goods shop, book sale and iced coffee stall will be up for browsers. Kathy Hughson is providing Nisu (coffee bread) for sale, and cupcakes from Wildflowers. The annual plant and book sale will also be held at this time.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the annual live auction is moving online.
There is also a raffle calendar, with tickets on sale for $10 all through July. A drawing a day will be made throughout the month of August, so there are 31 opportunities for winning. The New Ipswich Fair Planning Committee is still soliciting donations of raffle baskets from local businesses. Contact cf2020raffle@yahoo.com if you are interested in donating. Volunteers will be selling tickets for the raffle and barbecue at Small Towne Sweets Ice Cream Shop and Sunny’s Market over the weekend and each weekend in July. Check the NICC Children’s Fair Facebook page for hours and other locations for ticket sales.
Fair volunteers are looking for volunteers both to sell raffle and barbecue tickets and on fair days. Volunteers are also seeking additional donations of plants for the plant sale. Contact an organizer by message through the NICC Children’s Fair Facebook page for donations or to volunteer.