What A Day At the Fairgrounds!!

Friday has turned out to be one of the most memorable days yet. With 40 to 50 mile an hour winds and torrential rains, the day was definitely a challenge to everyone involved. The vendors were contending with trying to set up, redo or repair their concessions. The directors and volunteers were attempting to complete the final day's schedule of tasks that needed to be done. There's only so many things that could actually be done in such horrible weather!!!

But wait until tomorrow (Saturday). With this amazing group of people, our Fair will have everything in place and ready to go. With a promise of great weather, come to Litchfield County's oldest fair and bring your family & friends along for a wonderful time.

Countdown Continues for the Fair

There are only six days to the 154th Harwinton Fair. Work goes on every day now until fairtime preparing for next weekend. Directors, members, & volunteers are working hard to get things in place. The grounds look wonderful as usual.

All we need now is great fair weather!!!

Animal Friends Error in Premium Book

An error was discovered in our Premium Book on page 18 for Department G - Animal Friends. The amount paid for each exhibitor should read $100.00 not $10.00.

The line should correctly read:

Each exhibitor entering for the two days with a minimum of two animals and a display will receive $100.00 and a complimentary Fair pass.

Ten Days to Fair Time!

It's only ten days to our fair. Directors, members, & volunteers are busy at the fairgrounds getting everything ready for the 154th Annual Harwinton Fair. The grounds are being mowed and trimmed. We certainly have a great crew who put endless hours of hard work in to put this great fair on each year.

The gates open at 8:00 am each day. Get your exhibits done and enter them! The deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday September 22nd. Lisa, our secretary, is working on them now. Come join in the fun of being part of the Fair.

Don't forget tag nights are Monday, Sept 27th at the Library and Tuesday, Sept 28th at the Harwinton Senior Center on Weingart Road, 6:30 both evenings.

Deadline for Exhibitors Entries Sept. 22

Just a reminder that exhibitor forms are due Wednesday, September 22nd. To make sure you can enter please get them to our secretary, Lisa Shimels on time. Don't miss out on the fun of being part of our Fair.

Also, you can contact Lisa if you need a Premium Book or go to Premium Book on the website to see it. Entry forms can be downloaded. There's less than three weeks to Fair Time!!!!

Incorrect Tag Nights Listed

The tag work nights are listed incorrectly on the Fair Events Schedule. The correct dates are Monday, September 27, at 6:30 pm at the Harwinton Town Library. The Final Tag Night is Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30 pm at the Harwinton Senior Center on Weingart Road off Route #4 not the Library.

Premium Books Are Available

The premium books for 2010 have been mailed to members, previous exhibitors, and all who requested to receive them. Look for them in locations around the area. Contact a director if you aren't able to get one.

Harwinton and Torrington Post Offices, Thomaston Bank, local restaurants and stores, feed supply stores, etc. The Premium book is also accessible on our website for viewing and printing. Exhibitor forms are included in the book. So get working on those exhibits, arts & crafts, contest entries, etc. That is what makes our Fair so much. Participate and enjoy!!!!

Scholarships Awarded

On August 22nd, the Harwinton Agricultural Society awarded two $1,000.00 scholarships at our annual Appreciation Picnic. The two recipients are Nicolle Hill and Joscyln Pearson. We wish them both success at the schools they will be attending this fall. It's always great knowing we have helped them to continue their educations!

Harwinton Fair Appreciation Picnic

Despite a very rainy afternoon, the Harwinton Agricultural Society held its annual Appreciation Picnic for the workers & volunteers who make our fair such a success each year. The food was great and the company was even better. Ernie Schultz supplied wonderful accordion music for young and old to enjoy.

Actually, our board members and their families also need a definite "THANKS" for doing this event each year. Before we know it, it will be FAIR TIME! So let's all gear up and here we go again!!!

Work Continues at Fairgrounds

Weekly worknights on Tuesday are still going on. Anyone who would like to join us, members and volunteers alike are welcome. There is always something that you could do to help. Before you know it, October will be here! Contact a director or member, or just come to the fairgrounds on Tuesday evening from 5:00 pm on.

Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted

There is still time to submit an application for our scholarship awards this year. The deadline is June 30, 2010. Please go to the "Fair Scholarship" tab on the website. Applications can be download from this part of the site. Each scholarship is $1,000. and can be for first year or continuing education at the college level.

Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

The deadline for scholarship applications has been set for June 30, 2010. Applications are available at the guidance offices in the area school. If you need forms, please contact our secretary, Lisa Shimels or one of the other directors who can help you out.

Look in the "Fair Scholarship" section on our website for the criteria on the eligibility requirements. There are two scholarships offered, one for pursuit in the agricultural field and one for non agricultural. Don't let the deadline pass! Each scholarhip is $1,000.00.

Worknights Every Tuesday

Worknights have started on every Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. on. There are projects once again to be completed before fair time. Work has begun on roads around the grounds. There will be upkeep and repairs to some of the buildings.

New drainage has started on our parking fields with the generosity of the Harwinton Lions Club donating materials for this work. With proper drainage of the water on those fields, the grounds will be improved to allow better use of those areas during concerts, fair parking and other events at our facilities.

Painting is an ongoing task. Keeping up the buildings and grounds take a lot of time and effort from our directors and members. Volunteers are always welcome. Just show up on Tuesday and we'll definitely find something you can do to help out. You can also contact one of our directors or members who will be happy to hear from you.

Scholarship Applications

The deadline for scholarship applications has been set for June 30, 2010.

Please remember the Harwinton Agricultural Society, Inc. gives away two (2) scholarships of $1,000.00 each year. Go to our website and click on "Fair Scholarship" section to get the information on how you may apply.

An application will soon be available for download from the website. It will also be sent to the Guidance Departments in the schools in this area. It has had some revisions made. Or contact Lisa Shimels, our secretary, who can also help out.

Membership Dues Deadline

All members' dues are payable by March 1, 2010.

There will be no additional reminder notices sent to members. So please take a few minutes to get your dues paid by this date. If your membership lapses, then you will have to wait until our next Annual Meeting to be reinstated. Adults are $10.00 each and a family membership of $25.00 is also available for adults and children at least 13 and under 18 years of age.

We also welcome any new members interested in becoming a part of our Society. Please contact any Director so your name can be submitted at a Board meeting. We meet on the second Monday of each month.

If you have any questions, please contact Judy Aeschlimann, (860) 485-9054. Checks should be made out to "Harwinton Agricultural Society, Inc". Dues can be mailed to 22 Hillside Road, Harwinton, CT 06791.

Winter at the Fairgrounds

Things are quiet at the Fairgrounds this time of the year. The Annual Dinner meeting was held on December 8, 2009, at the Harwinton Congregational Church in Harwinton. We have four directors who have stepped down from the Board: John Mazzochi, Ellie Woike, Paul Schweitzer & George Beck. All of these directors have given countless hours to make our Fair such a success. We can't thank them all enough for what they have contributed to our Society.

We have a new director this year; Phil Galullo has agreed to come on to the Board. Phil and his wife Kelly have been active members & workers for three years helping out painting on work nights & running the soda booths at fair time. We look forward to having him on our Board of Directors.