Country Fair Draws History Buffs, Fun-Seekers

The words "country fair" may conjure up images of cotton candy, ferris wheels and the ring-toss, but you wouldn't find any of that at the John Jay Homestead on Sunday.

Instead, guests of the Eighteenth Annual Country Fair cheered on swimming swine and the Bedford 1779 Regiment Encampment. Kids rode ponies, sawed trees and made historically-themed crafts.

"We try to keep this a historical event—that's what we try to maintain," said Wendy Ross, executive director of the Friends of John Jay Homestead. "There is a huge educational aspect to this event.  We are educating the people about life during the colonial times."

The Friends of John Jay Homestead uses this event as one of its major fundraisers for the year.

The historical event has been drawing in crowds for many years. 

"The fair is one of our favorite things to do all year with our kids, " Eve Fogler of North Salem said.  Fogler who attended the fair with her husband and two children added that, "Hearing about the history with real people and real costumes brings some of the history to life.  They (the children) can imagine how they would have had to deal with all of it."

Peggy Almstead of Waccabuc said she and her family stumbled across the event. 

They were driving past the John Jay Homestead and noticed the lines and figured they would check it out.  "It's a wonderful family experience, " Almstead said. "The kids are enjoying it and there is tons to do.  It's a great day."