Old Fashioned County Fair
by Sarah Teach
With the summer season dwindling, it’s time for the island folks to reunite with friends and throw down… country style! On Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, the Annual Island Fair will be held at the Tom Nevers Field. A fun day for families and individuals with and without children, the Island Fair brings the Nantucket community together through a giant pumpkin contest, tractor rides, freshly cooked island food, face painting, scarecrow building, live local music, and so much more.
Think you have a great apple pie recipe? Bring it on! Sunday’s Apple Pie Contest will determine the best apple pie baker on the island! Honor your grandma’s recipe, or make your own mark as a brilliant baker! Of course, the fair offers edibles aside from apple pie. Various vendors will serve their own classic island fare, mingling their yummy aromas with the famous fresh fish that is cooked up every year by Nantucket’s Sons of The American Legion.
Island falconer Mark Reindel will be walking around with his specially trained bird of prey, and will be available for Q & A during his time at the fair. A local beekeeper will also be buzzing around, accompanied by the delicious taste of Nantucket honey! (Don’t worry; the bees will be asked to stay home for the day.) For animals you can touch, head to the animal-petting tent! From silly goats to wee piglets to handsome ponies, there are plenty of chances for interaction with your favorite farm animals. But not all of the animals come to the fair for fun and games; Saturday’s livestock judging recognizes the island’s finest farm animals. The following day, there will be two pet shows: one for dogs, and one for all other domestic pets. Take Bow-Wow to get groomed; ask Meow-Wow to thoroughly wash herself, and show everyone on the island how great your beloved pets are. Who knows, you might go home with a ribbon!
The fair’s contests include your inanimate prides and joys, too. Fair Director Jimmy Manchester says the giant pumpkin contest began years ago as a covert operation. “People used to do the weigh-in secretly in the morning. They were shocked to see that they actually acquired spectators, so eventually it became an event. Now it’s a main attraction at the fair! You wouldn’t believe how huge some of these island-grown pumpkins can get.” If you’ve traded in your green thumbs for anglers’ arms, you should compete in the Casting Contest on Sunday! Rods are provided, though you can bring your own if you want. Head to the sandy area designated for finding the island’s best fly caster. Like everything else at the Fair, it’s very casual and aimed directly at having fun!
If you just want to meander around and enjoy being outdoors with friends, feel free to browse the eclectic wares available for purchase. Under the Community Tent, you’ll find a descendant of the flea market family: people will be set up yard sale style, selling secondhand treasures. Also under the tent will be local artisans and craftspeople selling items like handcrafted leather goods, Tupperware, paintings, and more. If you’d like to be a vendor, contact Jimmy Manchester at jmanchester@nantucket-ma.gov and request a spot. For the whole weekend, a booth costs $100.
Even with all these fun things to do, most people will tell you that the best part about the Annual Island Fair is the chance to socialize within the community. On Saturday, arrive at 10 a.m. and stay ‘til 5 p.m.; then on Sunday, enjoy the fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per carload of people, or $5 per person on foot, motorcycle or bike. The Tom Nevers Field is located at the end of Tom Nevers Road. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot all the big tents, hear the live music, smell the food cooking, and see all the good friends you’ve been missing all season long!
