Windsor County Agricultural Fair this weekend

The Windsor County Agricultural Fair is described as the “best little fair in Vermont.”
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120706/NEWS02/707069930

Published July 6, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Windsor County Agricultural Fair this weekend in Springfield By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — The Windsor County Agricultural Fair is described as the “best little fair in Vermont.” Organizers hope they outgrow the title, but at the same time are proud of their smallness. The fair took 2010 off due to a lack of volunteers, but fair spokeswoman Kari Storm said 2012 would build on the return of the fair in 2011, and this year the focus is on “New Agriculture.” The two-day fair, which has been held at Barlow Field in the Eureka District of Springfield for about the past 40 years has a strong core of 10 leaders, Storm said. The fair this year is dedicated to the memory of fair volunteer Donna Jean “D.J.” Fusonie of Springfield, who died last winter. This year’s highlights include more activities for children, Vermont’s own 40th Army Band, and more animals, as well as an expanded petting zoo. Storm said the fair would have more demonstrations than in previous years. While fair favorite Fred DePaul of Plymouth Notch is again shearing sheep several different times during the fair, there are also demonstrations on crafting wooden boats, blacksmithing, building stone walls and gardening. For music, the 40th Army Band is performing Saturday on the fair’s main stage at 12:30 p.m., Storm said. “The Illusion,” a local rock ’n’ roll band that traces its roots back to the 1970s, is also performing both Saturday and Sunday. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee will also be presenting its raptor program on Saturday afternoon, and again Sunday at noon, she said. “A bunch of us believe we can’t let the fair die for lack of volunteers,” she said. Storm said this weekend’s fair has more activities for children, more cows, and more animals in its petting zoo, and has a core of new corporate sponsors to help put the fair on. The fair certainly doesn’t compete with the crowds or the midways of the more famous Tunbridge World’s Fair, the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, or the Addison County Field Days. But it has a lot in common with the staples of a Vermont country fair: cow judging, antique tractors, tractor pulls, pony pulls and ox pulls, and a 4-H horse show. The 4-H program is bigger than ever, Storm said, with 40 dairy cows participating. “That’s pretty good for us,” she said. There is also a baking contest sponsored by King Arthur Flour. Juniors, ages 8 to 17, can compete to make the best chocolate chip cookies on Saturday. On Sunday, it’s the adult’s turn with a blueberry pie contest. There is also a jelly and jam competition on Saturday, and a pickle contest on Sunday. The fair opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until 7 p.m. On Sunday, the fair opens at 10 a.m., and closes at 4 p.m. ATV obstacle course registration starts at 9 a.m. in the upper field. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children. Military personnel with valid identification are free. Follow the signs to the fairgrounds from downtown Springfield. For more information, check the Windsor County Agricultural Fair on Facebook or its website: windsorcofairvt.weebly.com/.