Thank You to All Who Supported the Simsbury Grange Agricultural Fair!

A big thank you to Simsbury and the surrounding communities! It’s been 5 years since we started the revitalization of the Simsbury Grange, and our Agricultural Fair held on Saturday September 17 was a real milestone. Quality judges, vendors, non-profits, farms, performers, and volunteers - along with hundreds of attendees of all ages, and a few really fluffy chickens - all contributed to its success. This year we opened the fair with bagpipes resounding through the meadows, we had an incredible kids’ area, and in general had a lot of affordable, old-fashioned family fun. We try to improve every year, we are open to feedback, and we are already looking forward to the fair next year (of course with the same beautiful weather) on Saturday September 16th, 2017.

Did you know that the Simsbury Grange Agricultural Fair is the ONLY official fair in the Farmington Valley! The closest fairs are in Riverton and Harwinton, or across the river in South Windsor or East Hartford. We are registered with the Association of Connecticut Fairs and inspected yearly by the State Fair Inspector. He has been giving us a lot of positive feedback the past few years. As a registered CT State Agricultural Fair we are like a mini-Big E – with contests, cash prizes, displays, hayrides and others activities. All the contests are listed on our website (www.simsburygrange.org) so you can plan ahead for next year. Winning entries in the annual official baked goods contest advance automatically to the State level, and one year a Simsbury Grange member won the needlepoint contest at the national level.

If you, like many, are still wondering “What is the Grange?” - The general term refers an English farm and associated buildings. As an organization in the U.S. the full name is the National Grange of The Order of Patrons of Husbandry and its mission is to encourage families to band together to promote the economic and political well being of the community and agriculture. It is our oldest general farm and community organization, celebrating its 150th anniversary, and founded just after the civil war to help pull communities together. The Grange is the first national organization to include women as full voting members (many decades before women had the right to vote). It has always been non-exclusive and non-partisan. The Grange tried to help African American farmers organize and for many decades was influential in giving small communities a voice in Washington.

At the Simsbury Grange our cause is the community! We aim to be fun, affordable and accessible, with a commitment to traditions and a healthy community. Aside from our Agricultural Fair, members initiate events, and we are also open to partnering with other community groups. Our organization and its facilities are available to anyone, and we welcome new members and ideas. Thus far Grange has hosted live music, dance, magic, workshops, private meetings and parties, a tag sale and more. We rely on volunteers and donations and keep costs at a minimum. We are proud of the history of the Grange and proud to continue to share it with this wonderful community. Fairs are also a wonderful tradition – each one has its unique personality and surprises. We hope you consider visiting other fairs in CT and beyond when you travel. And of course we hope to see you next year on September 16th from 10-3 at YOUR local fair!

Susan Masino, on behalf of Simsbury Grange #197