WESTFIELD-Since 1927, the Westfield Fair has been a staple for the city to celebrate its agricultural roots.
“Farms are disappearing by the hundreds each day and small fairs like the Westfield Fair is one of the few places we give the public the opportunity to see how this country became what it is today,” said Andrew Freniere, a member of the Westfield Fair Association’s board of directors. Freniere is overseeing the concessions, rides, and commercial exhibitors this year.
Now marking its 92nd year, the Westfield Fair is slated Aug. 16-18 at the Westfield Fairgrounds on Russellville Road.
Volunteers make improvements to a sheep barn on the Westfield Fairgrounds thanks in part to grant money received from the Hampden County Improvement League. (Submitted photo)
Freniere noted he became involved with the fair about 10 years ago.
“It was something my wife’s family has always been a part of as a volunteer and exhibitor showing milking shorthorn dairy cows,” said Freniere, adding, “the Westfield Fair at its roots is an agriculture fair.”
Freniere added that while agriculture wasn’t something he experienced as a child, he now feels “lucky to have it part of my life today.”
Freniere said he relishes the Westfield Fair for its spotlight on horse and oxen pulls, antique tractor pulls, demonstrations of a cow being milked, and area residents participating in local produce competitions.
“All of these things support how local fairs originated,” said Freniere, adding, “Farmers bringing their best of what they had to compete with their neighbors and celebrate a good harvest and year.”
While a focus will always be on the importance of agriculture in the area, Freniere said the board of directors also understands the need to “keep up with the times.”
“We have many modern events including truck pulls, demo derby and mud bogs,” said Freniere.
Freniere and the board are also “excited” to showcase several local bands, including Ayla Brown and Rob Bellamy and Whiskey Traveler.
Freniere, like countless other volunteers, thank the businesses who continue to support the Westfield Fair.
“The Westfield Fair is a 100% volunteer group with a lot of support from local businesses year after year who see the value in fairs like ours,” said Freniere, adding, “We also apply for grants to help us keep up on maintenance on the grounds.”
A view of the fairgrounds from the Ferris Wheel. (File Photo by Don Wielgus)
Freniere also acknowledged the ongoing support of the Hampden County Improvement League for grant money that has allowed the board of directors to replace roofs on some of the fairgrounds buildings.
Lastly, Freniere and the board encourage area residents to visit this year’s fair.
“Each year we rely on your attendance to support the gate entry and parking fees to be able to continue the family tradition of the Westfield Fair,” said Freniere. “I would encourage everyone to visit www.thewestfieldfair.com and take a look at our fair book to see our schedule of events and find out how they can be part of our fair.”
General admission is $8, $6 for seniors, and children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult admission. Parking is $2 per car.
Also, local businesses interested in being an outdoor vendor still have time to sign up by sending an email to [email protected]. The cost is $60.
The schedule, which is subject to change due to inclement weather, includes:
Aug. 16:
5 p.m.: grounds open with the midway, exhibits, craft barn, petting zoo and farm museum.
6 p.m.: official opening ceremony, veteran’s flag ceremony, and dining hall begins serving supper. Also, truck pulls will be conducted from 6 – 10:30 p.m., and “Magical Moments” balloon sculpture is slated from 6 – 9 p.m.
7 p.m.: Kittie Does Country takes the main stage until 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 17:
8 a.m.: grounds open and an antique tractor pull gets underway.
9 a.m.: Miss Westfield Fair Pageant, the petting zoo and exhibits open, and the Junior Dairy Show begins.
10 a.m.: craft barn and farm museum opens and the oxen show begins.
11 a.m.: rides and games opens, and the Junior Sheep Show and ox draw get underway.
11:30 a.m.: Junior Beef Show begins.
Noon: dining hall opens, and the presentation of dairy scholarships takes place on the main stage. On the small stage, Cosby Gibson & Tom Staudle perform until 3 p.m.
1 p.m.: kid’s pedal tractor pull starts, followed by games for children at the activity center.
3 p.m.: “Magical Moments” balloon sculpture begins through 9 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: Ayla Brown and Rob Bellamy perform on the main stage until 6 p.m.
4 p.m.: kid’s bike raffle and Junior Dairy Costume Class observed.
5 p.m.: Skyfire Productions presents a demolition derby.
7 p.m.: Whiskey Traveler performs on the main stage from 7 – 10 p.m.
Aug. 18:
8 a.m.: grounds open.
9 a.m.: exhibits and petting zoo opens and the Adult Dairy Show is conducted.
10 a.m.: opening of craft barn and farm museum until 5 p.m. Adult Sheep Show and Goat Show begins.
11 a.m.: rides and games open, and Resurrection Airmen perform on the main stage until 2 p.m. Also, a horse draw is slated, as well as a Mud Bog by Play Nice Customs (modified, trucks, ATV’s and side by sides).
Noon: dining hall opens. Also, adult beef judging starts, and the Whip City BMX racing gets underway. “Magical Moments” balloon sculptures will be featured until 5 p.m.
2:30 p.m.: Pitoniak Brothers and Friends will perform on the main stage until 5:30 p.m.
6 p.m.: Westfield Fair’s annual popular auction rounds out the fair’s festivities.
