HEATH — A lineup of family-friendly agricultural fun returns this weekend with the 107th annual Heath Fair.
This year’s festivities will include fan favorites such as the antique tractor show and displays of local talent in the exhibit hall, as well as children’s activities and agricultural displays. The Heath Fair will be held Friday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 17.
“Agriculture is the heart of the fair,” said Jessica O’Neill, co-president of the Heath Agricultural Society that organizes the event. “It’s about agriculture, but it’s also about friends and family and community.”
O’Neill said the Heath Fair is introducing a trained steer show this year, allowing participants to show off their skills in managing and presenting their livestock. Organizers are also bringing back the mini horse pull.
“We’ve previously had mini horse pulls, but it wasn’t really a competition. It was just a demonstration,” O’Neill recounted.
The mini horse pull competition will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening and will offer competitors ages 16 and under a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 to $100.
O’Neill said having competitions and activities for youth is particularly important to her. She always looks forward to the presentations and demonstrations by 4-H club members, which will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“What I love about that is the partnership and introducing youth to agriculture,” O’Neill said. “It’s really important for our young people to have a chance to showcase their skills and what they’ve learned.”
In addition to the competitions and demonstrations, O’Neill said young attendees can enjoy the children’s activities area, which offers “simple fun” such as hula hoops and a duck pond game, as well as wagon rides and a petting zoo.
For adults, activities include sampling some local brews at the craft beer and cider tent. Other food and beverage options that all attendees can enjoy include a chicken barbecue served by Heath firefighters on Saturday; a pancake breakfast served by the Rowe Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization on Sunday; and peach crisp, snickerdoodles and more, served by the Hawlemont, Agriculture and You (HAY) program and the 4-H club throughout the weekend.
Each day of the fair will also bring performances by local musicians, such as the Cheese Priests, the Shelburne Falls Military Band, Lonesome Brothers and Jefferson Hamer.
“We’ve been really working hard on the music program,” O’Neill said. “There will be lots of live music, so there’s always something to sing along to or dance to.”
Parking at the Heath Fairgrounds is free.
“The volunteers really make it happen. I’ve had people ask if we started planning a few months ago, but we start in September, right after the previous fair ends,” O’Neill said. “It’s a year-long effort.”
She added that in addition to the many hours put in by a team of volunteers, the fair is also supported by donations and sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Berkshire East Mountain Resort, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Fred W. Wells Trust.
One-day tickets are $14 for adults or $12 for seniors and three-day passes are $30 for adults or $24 for seniors. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets are available to purchase online at heathfair.yapsody.com until Aug. 14.
Schedule of events
On Friday, Aug. 15, the fairgrounds will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Activities include:
- 5:30 p.m. — Antique tractor parade.
- 5 to 7 p.m. — Kiwanis Club community ham dinner.
- 7:30 to 11 p.m. — Square dance with caller Doug Wilkins.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, the fairgrounds will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Activities include:
- Noon — Sheep shearing demonstration.
- 1 p.m. — Cow plop bingo.
- 1 to 4 p.m. — Wagon rides.
- 6 p.m. — Truck pull.
On Sunday, Aug. 17, the fairgrounds will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include:
- 8 a.m. — Equine gymkhana obstacle challenge race.
- 10:30 a.m. — Classic car cruise.
- 2 p.m. — “Do-It-Yourself Holistic Care for Backyard Chickens” presentation by Jessica O’Neill.
To see a full schedule of events, directions to the Heath Fairgrounds or to reserve tickets, visit heathfair.org.
