The ACK Fair's a-Comin'
by Chris O'Day
Come one, come all, big and small, put your Nantucket smiles on and get ready to have a ball. The Nantucket fair is back – bigger and better – planned for September 11 and 12 at Tom Nevers. The fair combines competitive competitions, creative games, and activities for the whole family. However, it needs one thing and that is you!
The fair serves as a beacon to the end of the summer season, an event where people can unwind and enjoy themselves. The insanity is over, for the most part, and it’s time for the community to celebrate. Come see your neighbor compete in a pumpkin toss or enter yourself. The fair is for all of Nantucket, its islanders and visitors, and everyone is encouraged to come and enter events, volunteer, or just experience the entertaining two-day fair.
In charge of the fair this year is Parks & Recreation Commissioner Maria Zodda. Currently Zodda is putting the final touches on the fair, but is still looking for more people to enter contests and join the events. Vendor tables are available for $50. Entry forms for all contests and information on anything to with the fair are available at the Park and Recreation Office on Bathing Beach Road.
This year Zodda has teamed up with various organizations to put on the fair and bring it to the next level. These organizations include the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Strong Wings, The Children’s House, Nantucket Bee Keepers, The Loring Foundation, Nantucket Disc Golf, The Rebecca’s, The Sons of the American Legion, Foods for Here and There, and The Nantucket High School Art Club and Shop Class. However, she is still looking for anyone that may want to volunteer.
“I would love to get more volunteers. All volunteers get free lunch, free admission, and it counts toward community service hours (Nantucket High School requires 20 hours of community work to graduate),” said Zodda.
This year Zodda aims to have more activities for the older youth. “In past years we have had events for the family and small kids,” said Zodda, “but we haven’t had much that catered towards the middle schoolers and teenagers. We changed that this year by adding a lot more games, shows, and activities which I hope will make sure everyone has fun.”
Events added for to reach the teenagers include a homerun derby, disc golf, and “Shoot for Sugar Competition.” Zodda is busy gathering big prizes for these contests, which already include a pair of Celtic tickets for the lucky winner of Shoot for Sugar Competition.
New this year is the “Best ACK Apple Pie Contest.” The best bakers of the island will go head-to-head, as they bring their scrumptious pies to the judges to see who will be awarded the greatest pie baker of all Nantucket. Who knows, it could be you. Tired of those deer or crows munching on your garden? Then come build a scarecrow, all tools and materials are provided. Zodda added, “You just have to bring your imagination.”
Another event for a select few to participate in, but for all to enjoy is the Equestrian Idol Contest. For this contestants will doll up themselves and their horses in creative costumes. On Sunday the riders will parade on their stylish horses through the fair, where the most stylish pair will be crowned the winner.
The pumpkin growing contest, a crowd and contestant favorite, is back this year. “The pumpkins are massive and the people growing them are very competitive,” said Zodda, “They have to bring them in on trucks, you wouldn’t believe how big they get.”
Past pumpkin growing champion Ray Owen said, “Last year I had a pumpkin about 350 pounds and lost to Marcus Goulding by 4 pounds. It was a fun because he has been trying to beat me for years. We have about 15 people that come out and compete every year. I got a few big ones growing now, but this hot and humid weather isn’t helping; we need some cool days for them to grow. My biggest in the past was 722 pounds.” Owen will also bring his barnyard friends for another entertaining event for the kids.
Besides the contests, the Nantucket Fair has many other traditional elements of a town fair. Face painting, merchant tables, hayrides, pony rides, cotton candy, and fair games will all be in the mix. There is also a tent dedicated to the various Nantucket based non-profit organizations such as Nantucket Habitat for Humanity.
The two headlining shows are “Birds in their Habitat” and “Birds of Prey.” Birds in their Habitat is a performance put on by mime Henry Lappen. He uses various detailed masks to teach the crowd about various birds. Birds of Prey is put on by Mass Audubon with handlers who bring out various hawks and other flying hunters to wow the crowd. Birds in their Habitat is happening Fair Saturday at 12:30 and Birds of Prey has two shows on Fair Sunday at 1 and at 3 pm.
The theme of the fair is “A Celebration of Our Island Community” and Zodda hopes it will bring the island together for a day. “It’s a restful, fun day after a hectic August. We have some wonderful talented people on Nantucket that people who attend can learn from. We’re on an island 26 miles out at sea so it’s up to us to take care of each other.”
The Nantucket Fair will be held September 11 and 12, so there are still a few weeks to prepare your apple pies, jams, jellies, and costumes!
