Last year’s fair season was a bit…unfair. But with Covid-19 case numbers down, the 2021 fair season is looking good.
Following a year of many closures and cancellations due to the pandemic, several Connecticut fairs and festivals are making a comeback.
Families will get the chance to get out in the nice weather and enjoy time with friends and family.
All fairs will require event-goers to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols, including the use of masks and social distancing.
Karen Zagurski, director of the Connecticut Fairs Association, said this season is looking much better than last.
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"Well, most of our fairs are going to take place. We have 34 fairs starting July 8 and ending October 3. And fairs are going to look a lot like they used to, but also different. We'll still have entertainment, but we'll have to keep it a little bit low-key because we don’t want to many people crowding together," she explained.
Not all of the usual fairs will be up and running this year. Zagurski said many are struggling to find personnel and volunteers. But those that are up and running will bring a boost to vendors and staff and also for the towns where the fairs are hosted.
Zaguski says if you've never experienced fair season in Connecticut, you're missing out.
"You’re missing out on what life really could be; a simplistic way of living. How to grow plants and how to be self-sustained. What does an animal need to grow? Where does your food come? Really good music. Or a pig race; kids have never seen a pig run in a circle before," she said.
List of 2021 Fairs and Festivals in Connecticut:
May 22-23: Hebron Harvest Fair drive-thru event, 347 Gilead StreetJune 26: Farmington Food Truck Festival, 20 Waterside DriveJune 26: North Haven “Fair” Food Festival, 290 Washington AvenueJune 26-27: Norwalk Arts Festival, Mathews Park, West AvenueJuly 8-11: North Stonington Agriculture Fair, 21 Wyassup RoadAugust 6-8: Lebanon Country Fair, 122 Mack RoadAugust 20-22: Bridgewater Country Fair, 100 Main Street South CancelledAugust 20-22: Wolcott Country Fair, 245 Wolcott RoadAugust 26-29: Brooklyn Fair, 15 Fairgrounds RoadAugust 27-29: Chester Fair, 11 Kirtland TerraceAugust 27-29: Terryville Lions Country Fair, 171 Townhill RoadSeptember 3-6: Haddam Neck Fair, 26 Quarry Hill RoadSeptember 3-6: Woodstock Fair, 281 Route 169 (Fair opens at 4 p.m. Friday.)September 4-6: Goshen Fair, 116 Old Middle Street- September 9-12: North Haven Fair, 290 Washington Avenue
- September 9-12: Hebron Harvest Fair, 347 Gilead Street
- September 9-12: Wapping Fair, 75 Brookfield Street, South Windsor
- September 10-12: Bethlehem Fair, 384 Main Street North
- September 16-19: Four Town Fair, 56 Egypt Road, Somers
- September 17-19: Guilford Fair, The Guilford Fair & Fairgrounds, Stone House Lane and Lovers Lane
- September 17-19: Berlin Fair, 430 Beckley Road, East Berlin
- September 18-19: Orange County Fair, Orange Center Road
- September 23-26: Durham Fair, 68 Main Street
- October 1-3: Portland Agricultural Fair, Route 17A
- October 1-3: Harwinton Fair, 150 Locust Road
The above information is provided by ctagfairs.org and is subject to change. As dates get closer, check the attached websites or Facebook pages to ensure fairs have not been canceled or postponed.
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