Submitted by Dianne McHutchison.
The 109th Haddam Neck Fair will be held this year on Labor Day Weekend, opening on Friday, September 3, 2021 and closing on Monday, September 6, 2021. The Fair was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
As one of the major agricultural fairs in Connecticut, the Haddam Neck Fair continues its tradition of remaining an independent, family oriented social and agricultural event.
The Fair opens on Friday September 3 with a Tractor Parade at 5:00 p.m. and an Opening ceremony with CT National Guard at 6:00 p.m.
All weekend there will be Rides, Concessions, Petting Zoo, Food, Displays, Children’s Contests, Matt the Balloon Man, Matica Circus, Family Magician, Helicopter Rides by HTX Helicopters and live music at the Bandstand.
The general public is encouraged to enter flowers, vegetables and fruits, canned goods and baked goods, as well as photography, art work, collections, handwork and quilts, and Spinning and Fiber products and 4H Educational Booth exhibits. Entries in these classes will be accepted only on Thursday, September 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
There is a Sheep Show, Goat Show and showing of Cattle and Steers. There is always a variety of poultry and rabbits entries. Visitors can enjoy the traditional horse, pony and oxen pulls as well as tractor and truck pulls.
A new event this year is the Demolition Derby on Sunday, September 5 at 6:00 pm.
The 5K Road Race on Sunday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m. starts on the fair grounds and is on relatively flat country roads with one steep incline.
Favorite events include the Baby Show, kids pedal tractor pull and dog agility competition.
There are contests including the Women’s Skillet Throwing , Beard competition, multiple birth contest, special sunflower contest and the Redneck Strongman Contest. On Monday a new event is the cornhole tournament.
There is the excellent variety of fair food, local products for sale from the Haddam Neck General Store, a petting zoo and Educational exhibits.
Parking is free and adjacent to the fairgrounds. The general admission is $10 and children under 12 are free. Alcoholic beverages and pets may not be brought through the gates. The Haddam Neck Fairgrounds are located off Route 151.
The Haddam Neck Fair will follow all local health regulations. For additional information go to the Fair website at haddamneckfair.com.
Photos courtesy of the Haddam Neck Fair.
