By Caitlin V. Reidy, Reporter
The annual Sterling Fair has been just one of the venues that has been negatively influenced by Covid-19 in the past two years. In 2020, everything was shut down and canceled due to the newness of the pandemic, while in 2021, the Sterling Fair was called off by the Board of Health just days before it was ready to launch, due to concerns over a recent uptick in Covid cases.
This year, there is a new optimism as the Fair Committee prepares to bring back the Sterling Fair just as it was remembered before 2020. Doug Downey, chairman, conducted a town hall meeting on July 11, 2022, and stated that the purpose of the gathering was “to ensure a fair [that is symbolic] of climbing out of Covid days.”
The meeting took place at the Sterling municipal building at 6:30PM, and conveyed a sense of excitement, community, and old town charm. There was a motion to accept meeting minutes, and once everyone was in favor, the assembly began.
There was a buzz of excitement in the room as members conferred about the current to-do list for this year’s festivities taking place on Friday, September 9th through Sunday, September 11th. Though it was mentioned that there was an increase in prices due to fuel costs, the Fair Committee tackled each category with efficiency and precision. They discussed the numbers of golf carts (10), radios (24), the ribbon count, livestock census, fences increase, and the sound coordination plan.
Everything was going cordially until the question of who would be volunteering to sit in the dunk tank was addressed. In a light-hearted conversation, members during the meeting continued to try and pawn the task of being submerged in cold water off onto one another. At one point, committee members tried to designate the eldest members of the group to be dunked, until one person, in a true Sterling initiation-type fashion, volunteered yours truly for the task. Sterling Fair Committee members agreed that this was one of the best ways to solve this dilemma, and agreed on the motion to “dunk” the reporter.
In addition to the light-hearted banter and budgetary conversations, an organized plan of action was introduced and addressed by Veronica Buckley, Director of the Sterling Senior Center, to ensure the safety of Sterling’s elderly population in the Age and Dementia Friendly Program. Mrs. Buckley discussed the plan to put posters on bleachers and picnic tables to help designate seating for this group, as well as a special entrance for Age and Dementia Friendly.
Furthermore, Mrs. Buckley stated that there will be parking available on Saturday, September 10th at the Senior Center.
“There will be a van to do pick up and drop offs with volunteers at the Age and Dementia Friendly Access Gate,” Mrs. Buckley stated. “Additionally, there will be a booth to pass out information at the gate.”
Mrs. Buckley also stated that there will be parking available for seniors utilizing this service at the Senior Center.
During the meeting, the Fair Committee discussed what Sterling residents and visitors from out of town could look forward to at the fair. Historically focusing on agriculture and livestock, there will be a horsepull, antique tractor and engine display, and all sorts of activities for families, including art, woodworking, and photography contests and a children’s tent. For children, there will also be a frog jumping competition, where children are encouraged to bring their favorite amphibians to compete amongst each other, in what Doug Downey referred to as “BYOF” or “Bring Your Own Frog.”
Dustin Whiteaker, Vice Chairman and a fireman in Clinton, stated that this is technically his first year working the fair after it was canceled last year.
“I enjoy the sense of community here and I want to get everyone out here to this family event,” Mr. Whiteaker stated. Mr. Whiteaker also stated that he enjoys volunteering and “getting involved.”
Mr. Downey said that in terms of volunteers, the Fair Committee is still looking for licensed electricians, licensed operators, organizers, entry assistants, and livestock helpers.
Mr. Downey thoughtfully discussed the importance and nostalgia of the Sterling Fair, which he stated originally began “right after World War II.” He stated that it started behind the fire station, and after Sterling’s Bicentennial in 1981, when the fair emerged once again, the fairgrounds were moved to the schoolyard. In 1999, the fair was moved to the Sterling airport, where it still remains to take place.
Mr. Downey and Fair Committee members emphasized their excitement for this year’s fair, especially because of its absence for the past few years. As of now, visitors to the fair will not be required to wear masks, though vendors will be required to do so. Admission to the fair is free, but patrons are encouraged to bring money for games, activities, and shopping. Smoking will not be allowed on fair grounds, and the event will be open to Sterling residents as well as people from outside of town.
“There’s a lot of passion in this town,” Mr. Downey stated. “I’m happy that we are moving forward and I am excited to bring this fair back to Sterling after three years.
The Sterling Fair will be located at STERLING AIRPORT | 121 GREENLAND ROAD | STERLING, MA 01564 from Friday, September 9th, to Sunday, September 11th. Information on how to become a sponsor or volunteer, how to enter art and photography competitions, livestock details, as well as the events calendar can be accessed at the Sterling Fair’s website at https://sterlingfair.org. Questions and concerns about elderly transport and Age and Dementia Friendly can be referred to Veronica Buckley at the Sterling Senior Center.