South Windsor's 120th Wapping Fair – A New Year, A New Fair

The following is a release from the South Windsor Jaycees:

The 120th Wapping Fair, presented by the South Windsor Jaycees Foundation, is reinventing itself once again by adding a whole new series of attractions and demonstrations.  New acts, new demonstrations, a new stage and even new savings are coming this year!! The fair takes place Sept. 6 – 9 at Evergreen Walk.  

This years fair is getting back to the roots of agricultural fairs!  Weekend activities will offer demonstrations of the way things used to be done as well as fun and exciting techniques.  Stop by Saturday to watch candles being made from scratch, a wood carver fashion items without the use of power tools and a Windsor chair maker perform his craft right before your eyes.  Both days include chain saw carving demonstrations, old fashioned mechanical equipment and tractors and pottery being made on a wheel as you watch.  

What would a fair be without our farm animal friends?  With over 10,000 square feet of space there are hundreds of cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, birds and more for everyone to enjoy.  Remember to stop by our three day old baby chick exhibit sponsored by Rockville Bank.  The kids will just love to hold one of these little fellows in their hands.  Throughout the weekend stop by the show rings to watch our exhibitors show off their animals and listen to the judges explain what makes a championship animal. Plus, keep an ear out while you are at the fair as goat milking, sheep shearing, and more will be performed by our exhibitors.  While wandering through the tents there will some fun interactive games for people to play and learn more about our agricultural heritage.  Great for kids of all ages.  

Bring yourself back to your farming roots by entering an exhibit in our agricultural tent. Categories include fruits, vegetables, baking, canning, quilting, hobbies, woodwork, photography and more. Exhibitors that win certain quilting and baking categories are eligible to compete at the Connecticut Fair Association meeting or our King Arthur Baking competition. Individuals of all ages are welcome to exhibit their items. New this year is our Best of South Windsor contests – featuring exhibits that best represent the heritage and tradition of the town. Plenty of prizes and no registration fee. All children that enter are guaranteed a ribbon! Look for our exhibitors guide at www.wappingfair.org.

Back in 2012 are some traditional fair favorites including, the Racings Pigs and Racing Ducks as they run, waddle and slide around the track.  Roderick Russell brings his thrilling sword swallowing and mind reading performance for all to see.  One of only 50 sword swallowers world wide Roderick’s shows will leave you breathless and filled with anticipation. Then watch Circus Stella featuring Jayna Lee and Adam Lowe perform their trapeze and aerial acrobatics that will leave you stunned at her incredible agility. You won’t want to miss there daring fire breathing acts or the incredible bed of nails finale!! Sunday is filled with entertainment for the entire family, especially those youngsters, with a lineup including Ed the Wizard and Ronald McDonald.  There will be plenty of laughter and fun with that dynamic duo!!  A full entertainment schedule can be found at www.wappingfair.org

Music lovers will have their fill as this year we offer 2 stages full of entertainment!  Each day a different performer will take the stage. Thursday night features local talent Paul Tyler band with there renditions of songs from everyone from Garth Brooks to the Beatles.  Friday night features rock band Unprepared with their high energy and upbeat sound keeping everyone bouncing to the beat.  Saturday night features blue favorite The Johnny I Band, so spend the evening sitting back with us.  South Windsor High school student James MacPherson and the Bonsai Trees will be performing Thursday night and then James will be part of Iron-Y performing on Saturday.  Other groups bringing there music this year include J.C. & the Vipers, Slug Nickel and the Korey Brodsky band

Tufano Amusements will be bringing in 18 rides for kids of all ages.  There will be plenty of kiddie rides for the young ones and lots of thrill rides (Scat, Swings, Rock-O-Plane, Avalanche, Pirate and the Cliff Hanger!!) for people that want to have some real excitement.  Best of all we will again be offering our unlimited ride bracelets on Thursday (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.) and Sunday (noon – 4 p.m.). Pay one price and go on your favorite rides over and over!

Saturday will feature our, Little Mr. & Miss Wapping Farmer. Dress up the kids in their best farmer clothes and let’s see who is the cutest! This contest is open to children ages 6 and under. The competition is limited to the first 25 boys and the first 25 girls. Prizes for all our little farmers are being provided by CHH Engraving.  Our winners are invited to ride on the South Windsor Jaycees Memorial Day float in 2013.  Another contest, Wapping’s Got Talent, lets your child show off their talents.  If your child can sing, dance, do magic, play or instrument or entertain a crowd in any way then sign then up and bring them out to have some fun. Details, registration info and additional rules for both competitions can be found at www.wappingfair.org.


You certainly won’t have to worry about going hungry at the fair with an incredible variety of food for all tastes and ages, including hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, baked potatoes, fried dough, Taiwanese food, sausage & peppers, roast beef and turkey sandwiches, meatball grinders French fries, desserts and much, much more! There will be so much food that you'll have to visit each day of the fair to try it all.

Fair hours are Thursday 6 -10 p.m., Friday 6 -11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and children 57” and above, $3 for seniors. Children under 57” are free. Take advantage of our Thursday night special when everyone is only $3 or Sunday promotion when you receive $1 off admission with the donation of a non-perishable food item. To help make this great event even more affordable the fair is offering discount coupons on admissions, ride, food and more!!! To get these offers just friend the South Windsor Jaycees on Facebook!

The South Windsor Jaycees, who have run the Wapping Fair since 2001, use the proceeds to support many community projects during the course of the year, including Adopt-A-Family, Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy and more.  Plus, numerous donations are made to community groups such as Friends of South Windsor Swimming, South Windsor Boy Scouts, Orchard Hill PTO and National Honor Society for their contributions to the success of the fair. For more information on the Jaycees please visit www.swjaycees.org.