Premium Checks Are In The Mail

The premium checks for exhibitors will be mailed out on Thursday, November 12th. Look for yours in the mail.

Don't forget the Annual Dinner Meeting coming up on December 8, 2009 at the Harwinton Congregational Church. All members are welcome to join us. If you would just like to attend the meeting, it will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Annual Dinner Planned

Letters to all members of the Harwinton Agricultural Society have been mailed out. Our Annual Dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the Harwinton Congregational Church on Route #4 in Harwinton.

A ham dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. All members are encouraged to attend. Dues for the 2010 year are now being accepted.

We also welcome anyone wishing to become a member of our organization. Just contact any Director if you would like to join so your name can be submitted. You will find it very rewarding helping put on this great fair.

Winter Storage This Saturday

Winter storage will be taking place this coming Saturday, November 7, at the fairgrounds beginning at 7:00 a.m. There are still some spaces available to rentals this winter. We do have a secure facility. If anyone is interested please contact Jack Comporesi, Supt of Winter Storage at (860)485-9021.

The Fair Has Come & Gone!!!

Well, the Harwinton Fair has come and gone again this year. It certainly was one to remember. First, on Saturday we woke to a misty, wet day. Even though the weather wasn't great, people did come. It wasn't cold, so they were still coming in to see the exhibits in the buildings and enjoy all the great food.

The Women's Skillet Throw was a big success with 45 participants signing up to test their throwing abilities. The winner tossed her skillet over 47 feet! It was definitely enjoyed by both tossers & watchers. We'll be planning the event again for next year.

There was entertainment & music for those willing to put up with the raindrops. Then about 4:00 the skies finally opened up. We had to call it a day as it downpoured, thundered & lightning making it all very interesting.

On Sunday morning the sun did come out to dry up all the grounds. And the people did come!!! We estimated about 16,000 people. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Parking was not an issue. Everything went very smoothly bringing in all the cars with no backups out on Route 4.

The Zirkus Wallenda was a big hit and 11 year old Briana was quite the shining star on the sway pole and high wire.

The Band, Aces & Eights, performed on Saturday in spite of the weather, The Magic of Jim Sisti & The Sunshine Road did have to cancel because of the weather but made up for it all on Sunday. We had an old fashioned band concert on the bandstand Sunday afternoon presented by the Northwest Connecticut Band.

The Pisgah Mountain Primitives & Civil War reenactors always add to our historic area, along with the Country Store, Shingle Mill, Blacksmith and Antique Tractors & equipment. Woodchopping had the biggest turnout ever, and all other pull events and competitions went on.

The Ellis Family brought in a wonderful display of wagons and draft horse. Bob was sadly missed by everyone. But I'm sure he would have been proud of the wonderful addition everything was to our Fair.

All in all, the Fair was a success, with many positive remarks and compliments. Thanks to all who have made our Fair what it is--- A great traditional country fair.

Looking forward to next year!

Exhibitor Tag Nights

Worknights on the exhibitor tags for the Fair will be held on Monday, September 28th & Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 p.m. at the Harwinton Town Library. Anyone interested in giving us a hand, please join us. This will give you an idea of what's involved in preparing to put on the Harwinton Fair. There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the Fair running.

And it's a great way to socialize with some very nice people who work at the Fair while getting a big job done!!!

Harwinton Fair is Fast Approaching!!!

The Harwinton Fair is 8 days away. The fairgrounds are busy with activity. Final preparations are going on. New lighting is being installed in pavillions and soda booths for the new later hours on Saturday evening. Weather permitting, the fair will remain open until 9 p.m. There will be entertainment, food, vendors & rides. Exhibit buildings will be open with the exception of Buildings #1 & #2 the Adult & Youth buildings. They will be closing at 6 p.m.

Come enjoy the best tradtional country fair east of the Connecticut River. There's something for everyone. Young & old. Don't forget the Zircus Wallendas, performing both days, for the first time at our fair.

Women, get your throwing arm ready for the 1st Annual Women's Skillet Throw to be held on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Signups will be taking place 10 minutes prior to the event. Entry is FREE!!!

Please check the Fair Events section of our website for a complete listing and times for all the events on fair weekend.

Deadlines Approaching!!!

Just a reminder to anyone wishing to exhibit in this year's fair, the deadline for submitting your Exhibitor form is Wednesday, September 23rd. If there are questions regarding an entry, please contact Lisa Shimels, the fair secretary. She will be glad to help you in any way she can.

Work nights are busier than ever. With the fair 17 days away, there are many things that need to be done. Volunteers are always welcome. Come on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. or contact any director to find out how you can help. You'll find out, it can be fun and rewarding being a part of putting on this great country fair!!!

Premium books are out!

Our premium books have been mailed out to all members, last year's exhibitors, and individuals who have requested them. We are presently working on putting the complete book on the website. We had some technical difficulties but they will soon be resolved.

The books have been placed at locations around the area; post offices, banks, Agway, Blue Seal, libraries, the Town Hall. In the meantime, if you cannot find one, you can contact our secretary, Lisa Shimels to receive one. Check our "Contact Us".

New This Year

We have some new things happening at the Fair this year. First, our Saturday hours will be extended to 9:00 p.m. weather permitting. Please note that our Adult & Youth buildings will close at 6:00 p.m. All other buildings, exhibits, displays, rides & amusements will be there for you to enjoy.

Zircus Wallenda, a high wire and aerial act, will be performing 3 shows each day.

There will be a Women's Skillet Throw Contest on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the woodchopping area. Come join the fun. It's open to all women 18 years and older.

There will be entertainment on the bandstand by Aces & Eights from 6 to 9 p.m. The Ox Teamster challenge will be returning again on Saturday afternoon, adjacent to the pulling ring.

Countdown Begins!

The countdown to the Harwinton Fair is only 32 days. Things have begun getting busier with work on the fairgrounds, setting buildings up, and preparing all that's neccesary to put on the Fair. All members are encouraged to volunteer any time they can spare. It will be definitely appreciated.

The Premium Books are now available and have been mailed. Anyone needing one can check out our website section for entry forms, submitting exhibits, and information on what's happening at the fair this year. If there are questions, please contact any director. They will be glad to help.

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

On Sunday, August 16th we held our annual appreciation picnic at the fairgrounds for all the people who have given their time to the fair. We had approximately 70 people attending. Good food and conversation were enjoyed by all.

Our annual scholarship award was presented to Molly Tower, this year's only recipient, who received an award in the amount of $1,000.00. Molly received our non agricultural scholarship. There were no applications for a student attending college in an agricultural field.

There was a test run for our First Annual Skillet Tossing Contest. Several women gave it a try and said they would definitely be there on Saturday morning, at 10:30 on October 3rd. Check out the information for this new event. It should be fun for all.

Benefit Dinner a Big Success!!

The benefit dinner held for Bruce Richard on Sunday, June 28 was a great success. Attendence was over 350 people. Through the generousity and hard work of so many individuals, everything went off so well. The food was delicious, judged by the many compliments people were making.

Many thanks to all who supported this event: our volunteer organizations - Harwinton Agricultural Society, Harwinton Lions Club, both Harwinton Volunteer Fire Departments, the Ellis Family who brought the Stagecouch for rides, our vendors who were so generous, the Berkshire bluegrass band who entertained, and all the members & volunteers who gave time, monetary gifts, supplies and other items to make this a wonderful time for Bruce. He couldn't have been more grateful to every one. It was more than a benefit for him. It was an example of a community of people pulling together to help someone in need.

Everyone there had a great time socializing, seeing old friends you hadn't seen and catching on what's been happening. It lets you know there are people out there who still care!

We all wish Bruce continued progress toward getting well and on with his life again. Many thanks again to all who participated, supported, and attended the dinner.

Benefit Dinner for Bruce Richard

If you hadn't already heard, there is going to be a fund raiser dinner for Bruce Richard, our past president. Bruce has been going through some very serious medical problems since his knee surgery in October, 2008. He has not been able to return to work and is looking at at least one more year of rehabilitation and recuperation. His medical insurance has expired and will now have to pay for his own coverage.

On Sunday, June 28, 2009 there will be a steak dinner being served from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Harwinton Fairgrounds. The cost is $20.00 per person. The dinner will consist of a rib eye steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, salad, rolls and desert. Beverages will be served along with the dinner. We will have bluegrass music to entertain us.

This is being made possible because of the help from our two Harwinton fire departments, the Harwinton Lions Club and the Harwinton Agricultural Society along with many other individuals who have come forward to volunteer their time and donate both monetary & material items. This effort is what community support is all about. If you would like to purchase tickets please contact any of these organizations or call Paul Schweitzer at (860)485-0485 or Jack Comporesi at (860)485-9021. Tickets will be available through June 19th. If you would like to give us a hand with this event, we definitely will appreciate anything you can do.

Bruce has been active in our community for many years and has given so much. It's time to pay him back and let him know he has our support.

Worknights & Volunteering

It's June already!!! Worknights have been going on for 5 weeks now. Painting, ground maintenance and electrical upgrades have begun. Work is being done on this year's Premium Fair Book and will be going to press by the first week of July. Our website will be updated soon with all the information for this year's fair. Entertainment is in place.

New this year is an extension of Saturday's fair hours - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. weather permitting. The Board felt we should try this to see how it works out. It will give people more weekend time to come see our great fair.

Scholarship applications are being accepted for another two weeks, so don't wait any longer!! We have two $1,000. scholarships available for college bound students or continuing college students. Check out our scholarship section on the website for more information.

Remember, members and volunteers are encouraged to come help out at the fairgrounds every Tuesday night from 5:00 p.m. until dusk. Any talent is appreciated; any time given is important to us. See you there!!! October will be here before we know it.

Update on Society activities At the Agricultural Society's annual dinner meeting held on December 2, 2008, Nick Terlecky became our new President. Bruce Richard has retired after 5 years of dedication and hard work. Thanks, Bruce!!Jon Anderson is now our new vice president. If anyone needs to contact Nick or Jon go to "Contact" section of our website.As you can see, we do need to update our website to show new fair dates of October 3 & 4, 2009. At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors it was decided to extend our Saturday hours to 9:00 p.m. weather permitting. This will be an experiment to see how it all goes.Also, members of the Society are reminded that dues must be paid by March 1st to keep your membership active. If you let your membership expire, it can be reinstated only at the Annual Meeting held in December each year.Any one wishing to become a new member can do so by contacting any director or other Society member so your name can be submitted at an upcoming directors' meeting for approval. If there are any questions regarding memberships please contact the Treasurer. Look in our "Membership" section for information on becoming a member.We have met with some of our department superintendents and will continue to meet with more in the future. Their input is very important to us. So before you know it, it will be Fair Time!!!