Saturday fair will bring food, games, races and more to Little Compton

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 7/13/18

This town’s quintessential summer event — the fabled annual United Congregational Church Fair — is now in its 48th year. On Saturday, July 14, it will take over the Town of Little …

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Saturday fair will bring food, games, races and more to Little Compton

Posted

This town’s quintessential summer event — the fabled annual United Congregational Church Fair — is now in its 48th year. On Saturday, July 14, it will take over the Town of Little Compton, as it raises funds for the church.

Every corner of the Commons will be busy. Two road races — one for children, another for adults — start the day. And then ... there will be crafts, food everywhere, a silent auction, music, and the ultimate crowd pleaser: a dog show, where everyone’s a winner.

Parking will be on Veteran’s Field on the Commons.

In recent years the fair has raised in the range of $34,000, according to Sue Hutson, one of the fair’s organizers.

“Sadly,” said Ms. Hutson, “there will be no music this year on Friday night.”

Church Fair Day, Saturday, July 14

• 7-9 a.m.: Registration for adults and kids road races will take place inside the Wilbur & McMahon School gymnasium. The kids can register from 7 to 8:20 for the race.

• 8:30 a.m.: Kids’ race — The kids race starts at 8:30 a.m., at the ball field next to the Wilbur & McMahon School. Registration for the kids race is inside the school.

9 a.m.: Fair begins, vendors open — Opening time for craft vendors, white elephant books, bake sale, silent auction, and jewelry table. The silent auction is located in the Sunday School building next to the church office, and offers many items from furniture to items donated by local businesses, collectibles, dinners and fun experiences. This year the auction has quite a bit of furniture, a baby grand piano, and art work from local artists, as well as a number of golf course offerings, including 18 holes at the Sakonnet Golf Club, and tennis lessons.

There will be many craft vendors displaying their items for sale as one strolls up and down the streets surrounding the Commons. Under the big tent one will find treasures at the White Elephant tables as well as book tables. “And don’t miss the amazing bake sale,” Ms. Hutson said.

• 9 a.m.: Road race — The 4.8-mile road race starts on the road in front of the school at 9 a.m. sharp. Best times have been 22.26 minutes for men and 25.30 for women. “The road race T-shirt this year was designed by David Bastille,” Ms. Hutson said. Registration for the adult race is in the Wilbur & McMahon gym.  

• 10 a.m.: For children — Children’s games open.

• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (food, times estimated) — Lobster lunch — “with all the fixings,” said Ms.Hutson — will start to be served at 10:30 a.m. on the first floor of the church inside the church vestry. "The lobster lunch remains a great deal at $20. We will start to sell tickets for the lobster lunch at 10 a.m. at a table in front of the Church, and the lunch is inside the Church Vestry. They have take-out, Ms. Hutson says. New food vendors, starting at 11 a.m., are: Macray’s Seafood, Tiki Jack’s Shack, and Del’s Lemonade ( serving on Pike’s Peak). Back by popular demand is Crowther’s Restaurant, open on the street under a tent across the street from the church, which is “offering sandwich wraps, hamburgers, hot dogs, stuffed quahogs, and more,” said Ms. Hutson. There will also be coffee and muffins. 

“We do have an ice cream booth, with all the ice cream donated by Grays Ice Cream in Tiverton,” Ms. Hutson said.

There is also a cotton candy and shaved ice vendor that will be located on the road near the big tent for the white elephant sale..

11 - 11:30 a.m.: Dunk Tank and an Inflatable Obstacle Course, sponsored by Peckham’s Greenhouse, are located with the children’s games on the lawn next to the Parish House, where a tent is also located. 

:This year the celebrity dunk tank participants are Little Compton Police Officer Mark Thurston (from 12-12:30) and Mr. Michael Tomasso, a teacher from Wilber McMahon School (12:30-1).

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m: Saturday music — The Bonecrushers will be playing for two hours next to the Red Shed, located behind the food tent and across the street from the church behind the food vendors. “They are a local band describing all their songs as love songs,” says Ms. Hutson. “They play a mix of cover songs and originals, blending rock, R&B, gospel, and ballads, into a sound uniquely theirs. With Cam Church on guitar, ukelele, bass and banjo; Peter Fallon on guitar and keyboard; and Michael Frady on drums and percussion.” The Holy Cow ice cream tent is also located near the Red Shed.

1 p.m.: Dogs! — Dog show starts behind the big tent at the back of the church. “This is a favorite event,” said Ms. Hutson. “They have a stuffed animal category. They also have a dress-alike category for dog and owner.”

• 2 p.m.: Silent auction bidding ends. Silent auction pick-up at 2:30 p.m.

• 3 p.m.: Fair closes

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