HEATH — The Heath Fair is back this weekend after a year’s hiatus. Now in its 103rd year, the fair will be a two-day event instead of the traditional three due to the extra needs and constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some changes will be in place resulting from pandemic-related health safety guidelines and the shortened length, organizers say they have done their best to create a fair that will create a great experience for all fairgoers.
“People are really excited about actually having a fair this year because we couldn’t have one last year, and it was missed sorely,” said Art Shwenger, master of ceremonies.
Part of preparing and planning the fair this year, said Jessica O’Neill, president of the Heath Agricultural Society that organizes the fair, was acknowledging the necessary guidelines and making it easy for people to follow along.
“We had a consultation with Randy (Crochier), who’s a health agent at FRCOG, and the local Board of Health,” O’Neill said. “We met with them about what their recommendations were and then to make our decisions.”
She added that the professional feedback was very useful and helped organizers come to their mask, sanitizer and sign requirements.
The fair will be an outdoor event at the Heath Fairgrounds, though O’Neill said there are instances where individuals may go into space that isn’t open air, into tents or into space where social distancing is not possible. In those cases, fairgoers will be asked to put on masks. Places such as ticket and food booths will also be included as necessary masking areas.
“We are asking people to bring a mask and will have masks for free for those who don’t have them,” O’Neill said. “There will be lots of signage telling people when they’ll have to wear a mask. If they are coming into a building, if they are under a tent, unless they are eating or drinking, they have to wear a mask.
“(We) bought, literally, gallons of hand sanitizer,” she added, which will be placed around the fairgrounds and at each tent. Hand-washing opportunities will be both in the brick-and-mortar buildings and portable toilets.
“We are really hoping that people are used to the things that keep the community safe, and we will be prepared to help them do so,” O’Neill continued.
Neither the traditional supper nor the pancake breakfast will be happening this year, but O’Neill assures fairgoers there will be plenty of food, including the chicken barbecue held by the firemen’s association. A welcome addition will be to the beer tent — the fair has been working with Pioneer Valley Brewery to also provide four types of craft cider.
The two-day fair will scratch both the fair’s classic fireworks and square dancing, but will feature an equine comeback. A lot of people over the years have missed the horse show, O’Neill said, and this year, a chunk of Sunday programming will include an obstacle course and gymkhana.
Along with a live music lineup, traditional events will continue this year including sheep, poultry, rabbit and cow shows, the American Dairy Goat Association-sanctioned goat show and demonstrations like sheep shearing. There will be speakers touching on history, nature and agricultural practices, and the Exhibit Hall will feature local crafts, produce, photography and more.
To learn more about the fair’s specific Saturday and Sunday schedules, visit heathfair.org/schedule.
O’Neill added that the fair is offering online presale tickets for the first time ever to limit money handling as much as possible and make buying tickets easier for interested parties. Another easy way to get tickets in advance is at Greenfield Savings Bank, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Avery’s General Store or Hager’s Farm Market.
Presale ticket holders get preferred parking and skip the ticket purchasing line day-of.
The Heath Agricultural Society is also working to get a broadband connection along the midway, yet another new addition to year 103. O’Neill reminds guests, however, to still bring cash or personal checks, as ATMs are not available and bandwidth is not plentiful enough to broadcast internet across the entire fairgrounds.