Suddenly we are halfway through August and staring September in the face. The 37th annual Marlboro Community Fair is just a few weeks away, so circle September 28 in bright red marker on your calendar and look forward to the food, music, activities and community spirit that exemplify our beloved fair. The fair opens at 10 am with the rousing music of the Ill Wind Ensemble who will once again lead us in procession onto the fairgrounds in grand style. There will be fine live music all day on the stage (emceed by the one and only Andy Reichsman), breakfast, lunch, a corn roast, baked goods that will be available for purchase after they have been judged and awarded prizes by Dave Kelly and Jemma Ollis, beer and wine also available for purchase after judging, and amazing Indian treats seved up by Javed.
The theme of the fair this year is The Next Generation, honoring the talented and inspiring children and youth of our town. With that in mind, there will be plenty for kids to do, and for the kid that still lives in every adult. The dunk tank should be popular, expecially if its a hot day, and the nail pounding, tug-o-war and egg toss will test skill and prowess. Show off your muscles by ringing the bell on the Test Of Strength machine, try out juggling, clowining or riding a unicycle, learn about the magical world of nature and build a fairy house with folks from Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center. Get your face painted, touch a tractor, or just revel in the last delicious days of a Vermont summer by hanging out with your friends and loved ones.
Of course, all of our fair favorites will be there: The agriculture tent, tea tent, kids tent, artisans alley, arts and craft tent, the Longshanks stilt walkers, Mike Clough from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum with his amazing raptors and reptiles, the raffle drawing, and at 4pm, the Fair Song led by Megan MacArthur to close out another wonderful celebration of Marlboro and all of you.
Admission to the fair is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family, and performing musicians, babes in arms, kids displaying or working at the fair and folks over 70 get in for free. May this be a fair to be remembered by the next generation, and many generations to come! See you at the fair!