NORTHFIELD — If you’re not ready to throw away the broken furniture or torn clothing taking up space in your home, your neighbors may be able to help.
The “Fix-It Fair,” scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Dickinson Memorial Library, represents the latest in Transition Northfield’s ongoing efforts to make the town more sustainable and to strengthen its sense of community.
At the fair, there will be stations for repairing jewelry clasps, clothes, toys, bicycles, furniture, tools and lamps, but not cell phones, computers, engines, items in need of welding or items under warranty.
The fair will be staffed by volunteers, “folks who know how to do these things, mostly just people who are handy at what they do,” said Transition Northfield organizer Judy Phillips. Attendees will also be encouraged to learn and practice their own repair skills.
Replacement parts will not be stocked at the fair, so attendees are asked to bring new parts if their repairs will require them. They will also need to sign a waiver that effectively states that Transition Northfield cannot be held responsible for any damages accidentally made to items while trying to repair them.
Transition Northfield’s organizers describe their group as a response to the major challenges of our time: economic instability, rising energy costs and global climate change. The group was established in 2010, but was inspired by the larger, international movement of “transition initiatives.”
Transition Northfield’s most prominent community project has been the Tool Lending Library at the Northfield transfer station, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. It is the first initiative of its kind in Massachusetts, Phillips said. The Tool Lending Library’s 200-plus members have access to power tools and hand tools for tasks such as light construction, car repairs and garden work.
The “Fix-It Fair” was inspired by similar events held in Colrain and Pittsfield, Phillips said. In particular, Transition Northfield’s organizers consulted closely with the organizers of the Colrain event, which was held in September. In Pittsfield, the event has been greatly successful and is held quarterly, Phillips said.
“It’s a wonderful community builder,” Phillips said. “It’s something to help us to be here and to live well and to know each other.”