Mason Summer Faire kicks off community events

A sign promoting the Mason Summer Faire.

A sign promoting the Mason Summer Faire. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

Children’s author C.W. Anderson’s work on display in the Mann House.

Children’s author C.W. Anderson’s work on display in the Mann House. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

Children’s author C.W. Anderson’s mailbox, on display at the Mann House.

Children’s author C.W. Anderson’s mailbox, on display at the Mann House. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

Some of C.W. Anderson’s work on display at the Mann House.

Some of C.W. Anderson’s work on display at the Mann House. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

A painting of Mason’s quarry by C.W. Anderson.

A painting of Mason’s quarry by C.W. Anderson. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

A piece by C.W. Anderson on display at the Mann House.

A piece by C.W. Anderson on display at the Mann House. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

A goat from Mason’s Rustic Wolf Farm.

A goat from Mason’s Rustic Wolf Farm. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

Goats from Mason’s Rustic Wolf Farm.

Goats from Mason’s Rustic Wolf Farm. STAFF PHOTO BY CAMERON CASHMAN

By CAMERON CASHMAN

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 06-11-2024 12:04 PM

According to new chairman Martín Garay MacLean, the Mason Recreation Committee has been “revitalized” and will spend the next few years running brand-new or revamped community events. Many of these events will run concurrently with the Mason Village Market, which is in its second year. 

On Saturday, the town held the first Mason Summer Faire alongside the first village market of the season. The event included pony rides, a small car show and an exhibit dedicated to children’s author C.W. Anderson, who called Mason his home.

“The town has decided to join forces with the revitalized Recreation Committee – with a strong focus on supporting on the second year of the Mason Village Market,” MacLean said. “It’s all in the spirit of bringing the community together, bringing back what the community used to have, bringing back old traditions and making new ones.”

“The biggest thing is to collaborate with the town – and all different kinds of people – to really rebuild that community vibe. Because, you know, during COVID, everybody got distant,” said Recreation Committee member Kourtney Tibbetts. “I think we did a pretty good job at our first shot at it.”

Aside from a light passing shower that didn’t seem to have much effect on the attendees, the first Mason Summer Faire was in full swing on Saturday. At the center was the Anderson exhibit on display by the Mason Historical Society in the Mann House in the center of town.

“C.W. Anderson was a very famous children’s author, and he lived in town,” said Tibbetts. “This is my favorite part of the whole faire – because I grew up reading his books, and they’re very special.”

Anderson started out illustrating for other authors, but eventually began writing and illustrating his own work. A horse lover, he was probably best known for his “Billy and Blaze” series, which followed a boy named Billy and his faithful horse companion Blaze.

Anderson's illustrations were known for their attention to detail and realistic portrayal of horses, and the “Billy and Blaze” books covered a life lesson and proper horse care. Anderson was always careful to ensure the information was accurate.

Anderson lived in Mason with his wife Madeleine, and many of the “Billy and Blaze” books were set among local landmarks, such as the old quarry or Wolf Rock – a rock which, legend says, a reverend climbed on to escape a pursuing wolf on his way home one night, long ago.

There were several artifacts on display, including many of Anderson’s drawings and paintings, his mailbox, a selection of his children’s books and his paint kit and palette. 

“Some of the pictures we have here are on loan from a local patron, but all the other ones are either from the Historical Society and the library,” said Historical Society member Kerri Griffith. “We didn’t realize how much we had until we had it all out – there’s a lot of good stuff!”

The Recreation Committee was thrilled with how the Mason Summer Faire turned out, especially considering the short time they had to plan. According to MacLean, the new committee formed in March, and while the possibility of a summer fair had been a topic of discussion, they didn’t officially start planning it until around April.

“The committee got together in March, but we really started planning it in April. We were talking, brainstorming – but we really only had April and May – two months to plan everything,” MacLean said. “I do have to say, if it wasn’t for the awesome people of this town, and everybody willing to help and donate – so many things we got from the community.”

MacLean said the day’s activities, including horseshoes and badminton, were donated by residents. He also said much of the food was donated by local farmers and producers in the area.

“It’s going great; we have a lot of volunteers helping us today, and it’s going so well,” MacLean said.

The next event the Recreation Committee has planned is the Strawberry Festival, on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the center of town.