By Kristen Levine, Reporter
The Sterling Fair is a labor of love, and no group feels that love more than the Fair Committee itself. Committed to helping plan, organize, attract sponsors, and advertise, the Committee is an all-volunteer force that is the backbone of the event. The members run from original alum Joan Strang, who has participated in the committee since 1981, to Dustin Whiteaker, who has been on the Committee for two years and counting.
“My father-in-law Norm Clemence was involved with the fair in 1981 when it started…he joined the committee in 1982, [and] he did the fair for many years,” said Chairman Doug Downey. “That was the one thing he really looked forward to. He got me involved and it was his wish for the fair to go on. I’m doing it for him, but also for my family as well; I want that tradition to carry on.”
Bringing together agriculture, local arts and crafts, and a carnival atmosphere with food, games and rides, the Fair presents a chance for families to have fun without breaking the bank for a day out – all while bringing in money for the town itself.
“The Fair has a huge financial impact,” said Co-Chair Terry Heinold. “A rough estimate is, we think that $950 thousand gets transferred from one person to another…tickets, buttons, produce at the farmer’s market. [The Fair] has a big impact on the community. We think that it’s the biggest event of the year and we’re proud of that – we’re proud of it being free.”
That pride is well-earned, with the Fair never charging admission or parking. Any money spent inside goes to benefiting the vendors, crafters and local business kiosks setting up shop inside. Beyond its financial benefits, there is a major social aspect.
“It’s a common get-together for people you don’t see all year long,” said Committee member Muriel Johnson. “People that moved out of Sterling come back to the fair.”
With all the work that goes into the Fair, it may come as a surprise to find out that the Committee is all-volunteer and not paid for their efforts. Member Barbara Roberti praised the volunteers that help the Committee put on the fair each year.
“The volunteers we get, we couldn’t do without them,” she said. “We have as many as 200. Without all those people helping we could never run it ourselves.”
Member Heather Rockwell, who contributed the button and t-shirt art for both last and this year’s Fairs, sees the event as a place where budding artists can show their work to a welcoming audience, with artistic efforts ranging from painting to quilting.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve always been involved in one way or another entering exhibits…my mother [artist Rosemarie MacPherson] was very connected and used to do the t-shirt and button design. With my mother being an artist, I’m doing in the spirit of her…Kids with an artistic side, this might be the first notice that they have a talent.”
Though the pandemic put 2021’s Fair on the backburner, the Committee is determined to work through disappointment and sadness of cancellation, ready to bring the event back for 2022. Sponsors are already in the wings ready to try again, and the Committee has confidence in the Town’s reception to next year.
“It’s a great community event,” Chairman Downey said. “Just to have people come together, ones that work hard all year…it’s to bring joy to the community.”