ORANGE — The Community Church of North Orange and Tully has scheduled its 71st annual village fair in Goddard Park to support the church’s operations.
Church member Helen Estabrooks said the fair is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 20, rain or shine.
New this year is a yarn spinning demonstration by Joyce Wilson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park and an antique tractor show that will include a reading of the children’s book series “Otis” by the Rev. Don Erickson on the church lawn on the church’s west side.
There will be tables with handmade items, homemade baked goods and candy, fresh produce and plants as well as a gift table and an “attic treasures” table with tag sale items. Pottery bowls will be on sale to support the Community Meal program. There will also be a 50-50 raffle and a raffle of a queen-sized white, black and gray quilt. Tickets are $2 each and three for $5.
“The profits go to keeping our church alive and running,” Estabrooks said. “We generally make between $3,000 and $4,000. It’s always very successful, less so if it rains.”
She also said two tickets for a ride on the Quinnetukut II, Northfield Mountain’s riverboat, will be raffled.
Estabrooks said the Reed-Nichols Trio (consisting of Ann and Jerry Reed and their daughter, Vivian Eliza Nichols) will sing and play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be an ice cream sundae table and a buffet lunch available. The menu consists of hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and dessert. Each item is $2. This year, there will not be a supper as in the past.
There will be a poetry event called “The Poetry of Farming” inside the church at 1 p.m. Local poets will be the featured readers.
Estabrooks said the first fair was held on Aug. 29, 1945, to generate money to fix the church after it was condemned.