WESTON, CT -- Step right up for the 108th Emmanuel Church County Fair on Saturday, September 20, from 10 am - 4:00 pm, on the church grounds, 285 Lyons Plain Road, Weston. Admission is free and all are welcome to take part in this family-friendly, time-honored tradition. The event will take place rain or shine.
The festivities commence in late morning and have an especially wide appeal. Fair goers will be entertained by Weston’s own, Chris Coogan, an Emmanuel Church Nursery School graduate and sought-after hometown musician. Coogan and his quartet will treat the crowd to a range of numbers throughout the afternoon. In addition, The Greater Bridgeport Symphony will host a “musical petting zoo” -- a tent where children and adults are welcome to play a variety of percussion instruments and take part in musical bliss.
Traditional carnival fare including hamburgers, hotdogs, and meatball grinders will be on tap as will ice cream, popcorn and other snacks. In addition, kids will relish pony rides, face painting, a bouncy castle, dunk tank, musical chairs-style cake walk (winner “takes the cake” prepared by a local bakery), and a variety of down home games.
What’s more, the ever-popular, “Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Connecticut” contest will make a comeback with local judges, Weston Forum Editor, Kim Donnelly, Weston Selectman, Gayle Weinstein, Weston Fire Chief, John Pokorny and Weston High School Student Government Co-President, Jackson Marvin. Prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third Place. Bakers of all ages are encouraged to enter at no charge. Bring one dozen, homemade chocolate chip cookies, a list of ingredients (no secret recipes allowed!), your name and contact information to the contest table by 12 noon, the day of the fair. Creativity is welcomed -- the only rule is that the cookies include chocolate chips. Guidelines can be found on the church website (www.emmanuelweston.org).
What’s more, all can bid on a Silent Auction sporting a vast array of items donated from community businesses, vendors, artisans and the like. Attractive items include themed gift baskets, weekend getaways, rounds of golf, and event tickets.
“Our annual Fair is one of Emmanuel’s most substantial community-building events of all. It brings together people from all walks of life -- within our parish and beyond. It also provides the opportunity to extend our hospitality to Weston and neighboring towns at large. I look forward to it with great enthusiasm,” said The Reverend Robert M. Ross, Emmanuel Episcopal Church Rector.
Fair Committee Chair, Marc De Mul, also commented, “The Emmanuel Country Fair is back and better than ever. We welcome Fairfield County residents to spend the day with us and join in the excitement.”
In a community outreach effort, attendees are asked to bring canned goods for the Weston Pantry to stock shelves as the school year begins. There will be signage and marked containers for donations. Non-perishable food items such as mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressing, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, canned chicken, ready-to-eat meals are needed as are personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies and pet food. Donations of every kind are both welcomed and appreciated.
One hundred and eight years old, the Emmanuel Country Fair proudly fosters a home-grown atmosphere and promotes a true sense of community -- a sure-fire, winning combination. Additional details can be found at www.emmanuelweston.org or by calling the church office at (203) 227-8565.