BLANDFORD-For area residents seeking a piece of Americana – the Blandford Fair did not disappoint the thousands who attended each day during the four-day run on Labor Day weekend.
Renzo Battaglia of Boy Scout Troop 23 in Great Barrington and Gage Laurie of Boy Scout Troop 120 in Chester sell French fries to Tim Wientzen and his daughter Lila on Sunday at the Blandford Fair. The Wientzen family of New York was visiting friends in the hilltowns and included the fair as one of their stops.
Now in its 149th year, Bruce Wyman, president of the Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society which sponsors the Blandford Fair, said the exceptional weather has been a boost to the attendance.
“The weather has been gorgeous and we are on par for matching last year’s attendance numbers,” said Wyman on Sunday morning. “Our grandstands have been full especially for our horse draws.”
During the day on Sunday, the crowds grew and by lunchtime, the midway was open and attendees were seeking out the multitude of options for lunch.
“We came for the Polish dinner at The Polish Hut and are never disappointed,” said Peggy Bannish of Southwick, noting her mother Gail Beaudoin of Springfield also came along for the festivities.
Just after noon the dining hall doors also opened for the popular home-style dinners and soon there was an influx of patrons lined up for the chicken barbecue meal which included a large chicken breast, baked potato, corn on the cob, French bread, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, beverage, and a choice of either blueberry or apple pie.
Gail Beaudoin of Springfield and her daughter Peggy Bannish of Southwick enjoy a polish dinner from The Polish Hut at the Blandford Fair on Sunday.
“I could make three meals out of this,” said Patti O’Neill of Blandford as she started to tackle her dinner.
Another popular food booth was the Blandford Boy Scout Troop 112 which was serving French fries, American chop suey, corn on the cob and clam chowder.
The Wientzen family from New York was visiting friends in the hilltowns and made the Blandford Fair one of their stops.
“This is Lila’s first time at the Blandford Fair,” said Tim Wientzen who enjoyed some French fries with his young daughter from the Boy Scout booth.
While food is always a popular feature at any hometown fair, there were a variety of local businesses also showcasing their wares, and the society’s annual agricultural hall was beautifully displayed with all of this year’s entries along with first, second and third place ribbons.
Vendors also included Angela Mulkerin, service director for the Hilltown Community Ambulance Association, who was explaining to passersby the needs of the association.
Jessica Ripley of Blandford received first place for her farm products display at the Blandford Fair. Judges noted on her scorecard – “most eye catching; most elaborate.”
“The board of directors has a goal of $220,000 to raise because we need a new ambulance,” said Mulkerin, who had recruited her son Noah to help sell raffle tickets on Sunday morning. “Our funding comes from town assessments, billing insurance companies for patient care, and donations.”
Another highlight of this year’s fair was the 50th annual Art Show, coordinated by Betty Jordt and Christine Tighe, featuring amateur and professional artists, as well as painters and photographers.
“I wish to thank all of the volunteers who helped with the art show in Wyman Hall to ensure it would be a great success,” said Tighe, noting there were 158 entries in this year’s show.
Artists who also donated time to conduct workshops during the weekend included Joan Boryta on Saturday and Alexandra Walters on Sunday. While Boryta now resides in California, she was originally from Plainfield. She said in addition to attending the Blandford Fair and conducting workshops on “Watercolors,” she also enjoys her yearly two-week artist workshop for the Central Baptist Church in Westfield which is currently wrapping up this week.
Patti O’Neill of Blandford enjoys the chicken barbecue meal at the Blandford Fair on Sunday.
On Sunday, Walters was leading a workshop titled “Artist Sketchbook Journaling” and noted her passion is to encourage others to focus on sketching as a means of interacting with the world and deepening one’s connection to nature.
Other artists volunteering their time at the fair included Fran Milliken with a workshop titled “Ink Sketching and Watercolor,” Frank Tencza on “Flexibility of Acrylics,” and Susan Pecora on “Watercolor.”
A popular feature every year of the fair for all ages is the rabbit and poultry barn which has been overseen for seven years by Diane Russell of Goshen. Her role as superintendent of the barn ensures that all paperwork is completed, all rabbits and poultry are checked on an hourly basis, and the barn is kept clean.
“My ultimate goal is educating children,” said Russell, adding “It’s hard to get kids interested in agriculture.”
While each day featured a variety of fun activities for kids and adults, one of the popular attractions was the antique tractor pull on Sunday.
“We enjoy doing the circuit of all of the area fairs,” said Walter Thayer of Hatfield who was joined by Avis Fusek of Hatfield. “We always watch the antique tractor pulls since I also enjoy restoring antique farm tractors.”
Fusek echoed those sentiments.
“I also like to come for the artists and the art show as well as the music,” said Fusek. “This is our fall activity.”
