September has arrived! Gardens are full of late summer flowers. Townsfolk are harvesting their vegetable bounty and putting foods by. Soon the autumn colors will decorate our town. And it is fair time again! Since 1907, the Williamsburg Grange Community Fair, combined with the Wilbur M. Purrington Memorial Flower Show, has been a long tradition here in town, attracting participants and visitors near and far. Williamsburg Grange members were so pleased with the success of the first fair, it is has been going on ever since—117 years.
This year, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, community members of all ages will showcase their finest fresh vegetables and homemade canned goods, home- grown dairy, maple and honey products, scrumptious baked good, amazing needle crafts of all sorts, beautifully designed quilts, eye-catching photographs, all kinds of arts and crafts, green and blooming houseplants, fruit and vegetable displays and the spectacular flower specimens and floral arrangements that stop you in your tracks, just as they have been for well over a century. Each one hoping to win the prized blue ribbon for their entry.
Always a multi-generational event, the town is full of Grange families that have been members for decades. Young members participate in their own child and youth categories—and once they do, they carry on participating for years and years. The 2024 featured child category is for a Lego creation—with the winner getting both a ribbon and a Lego kit. Chocolate chip cookies are the special youth entry this year, for a ribbon and a gift certificate to Local Burgy. For adults, a Grange Awareness arrangement in yellow and blue, could win a lovely blue vase. And, in honor of the late Candy Black Smith, a life-long Grange member and the Williamsburg Grange President for many years, the first prize crochet afghan winner will receive a handmade ribbon and a fun pair of sewing scissors.
Come to the Grange Hall in the center of Williamsburg from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to see the displays. Browse among the craft and vendor booths on the lawn. Enjoy a simple lunch in the social hall. Take home some prize- winning treats from the bake sale table. And stay for the annual Auction at 6:45 p.m.—maybe you will have the winning bid on the biggest pumpkin or the coveted apple pie winner or the special fair butternut cake. And of course, there are all the vegetables, flowers, and crafts to bid on too.
Be part of this autumnal agricultural fair tradition. Hope to see you at the fair! Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 9/5/2024
