CHARLEMONT — Yankee Doodle Days is a rite of summer for many residents, but this year, the three-day community-based fair has been put on hold.
“Like many fairs, this is a weekend event, full of wonderful activities for children of all ages,” says a message posted online by the Friends of the Charlemont Fairgrounds.” Every single part of the fair is produced by dedicated and hard-working volunteers. Unfortunately, there are just not enough volunteers to produce a fair for 2016.”
In December, organizers of the July event warned that if there weren’t enough volunteers to continue the event, it might not happen this year.
Tammy Hicks, who has coordinated the three-day fair for five years, stepped down last winter, and the new coordinator is Carla LaGrassa.
The event draws about 4,000 visitors a year. Planning for it generally starts in November. About 30 volunteers are needed during the July fair, but more are needed to help prepare for it.
Throughout the year, the Friends of the Charlemont Fairgrounds host fundraising events to support the fairground upkeep, and Yankee Doodle Days is the primary fundraiser for the group. Their purpose is to maintain and preserve the grounds for all future community events.
The Friends group would welcome others who want to help plan Yankee Doodle Days 2017.
The traditional Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast at the Fairgrounds is still on this year, on June 19, from 8 to 11 a.m., with proceeds to help next summer’s Yankee Doodle Days.
The event evolved from an annual Charlemont Cattle Show that started in 1850 and was held in meadows where the Hawlemont Regional School is now. In 1892, it was moved to the 17-acre fairgrounds, which was then owned by the Deerfield Valley Agricultural Society. The last fair that group held was in 1934. In 1952, the Lions Club of Charlemont resurrected and ran the event, with several community groups running activities as fundraisers for community programs. Yankee Doodle Days died out in the early 1980s, but was started up in 1996, with the help of a lot of volunteers.
Those who wish to volunteer may send an email to: info@yankeedoodledays.com.