Little Compton summer fair offers something for everyone

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 7/7/17

LITTLE COMPTON — The Summer Church Fair in Little Compton returns Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, with traditional summertime fun, all while raising funds for the United Congregational Church.

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Little Compton summer fair offers something for everyone

Posted

LITTLE COMPTON — The Summer Church Fair in Little Compton returns Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, with traditional summertime fun, all while raising funds for the United Congregational Church.
It will feature food, music, games, games for children, for adults, things to buy, a silent auction, lobster lunch, a dog show, road race and much more.
Parking will be on Veteran's Field on the Commons.
In each of the past two years, the fair raised an estimated $34,000, according to Sue Hutson, one of the fair coordinators.

The night before:
• Friday, July 7 at 7 p.m. — United Congregational Church — music
Spindle Rock River Rats, a blue grass band that kicks it up a notch. Tickets: Adults ($16), children 16 and under ($5). Tickets available at the door, or by calling the church office at 401-635-8472.

Church Fair Day, Saturday, July 8:
• 8:30 a.m. — Kids' race — Time the kids race starts, on the ball field next to the Wilbur & McMahon School. Registration for the kids race is by the play ground next to the school.
• 9 a.m. — vendors open — Opening time for craft vendors, white elephant books, bake sale, silent auction, and jewelry table. The silent auction is located in the Sunday school building, and offers many items from furniture to items donated by local businesses, collectibles, art work by many local artists, golf and tennis opportunities, dinners and fun experiences.
"The silent auction has earned a well-deserved reputation for featuring historic treasures," said Ms. Hutson. "This year it showcases an early 20th century (1908-1910) reed organ, made in Brattleboro, Vermont, and still functioning on six of its eight stops, with its bellows intact, and most of the leather gussets still good."
The organ is housed in a handsome, carved frame that is itself a handsome antique. The organ has a divided keyboard, she said. The tremolo is currently not functioning.
"There are a number of golf offerings at the silent auction," she said. "These include 9 holes at Acoaxet in Westport, 18 holes at the Sakonnet Golf Club, and 18 holes at the Newport National Golf Course — all for golf enthusiasts who are not club members."
The jewelry table next to the front door of the church has more donations than ever before," Ms. Hutson said. "There will be over 60 craft vendors displaying their items for sale as one strolls up and down the street. Under the big tent one will find treasures at the White Elephant tables as well as book tables. And don't miss the amazing bake sale."
• 9 a.m. — road race — The 4.8 mile road race starts. "It's a flat and fast course," says Ms. Hutson. Best times are 22.26 minutes for men and 25.30 for women. "The Road Race t-shirt was designed this year by Madeline Bruce. She's an artist and a member of our congregation, but is heading off to start medical school in late July," Ms. Hutson said. Registration for the adult race is in the Wilbur & McMahon gym.
"Motivational Maniacs will be at the road race this year," Ms. Hutson said, and people are encouraged "to utilize their run/walk feature as a training tool to reach their fitness goals."
• 10 a.m. — for children — Children's games open.
• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (food, times estimated) — Lobster lunch — "with all the fixings," said Ms.Hutson — will start to be served at 11 a.m. on the first floor of the church, for $20. Two food vendors — Compton Clambakes and Crowther's Restaurant — will be open on the street under a tent across the street from the church. They will be "offering sandwich wraps, hamburgers, hot dogs, stuffed quahogs, and more," said Ms. Hutson. Both vendors sell coffee and muffins before 11, with food service starting at 11.
"We do have an ice cream booth booth with all the ice cream donated by Grays Ice Cream in Tiverton.," Ms. Hutson said.
There is also a cotton candy and shaved ice vendor that will be located on the road near the big tent for the white elephant sale..
• 11 - 11:30 a.m. — Dunk Tank and Bounce House, sponsored by Peckham's Greenhouse, are located on the lawn next to the Parish House, where a tent is also located.
"This year police officer Jon Pomerleau will sit on the dunk tank seat from 11-11:30 a.m. He plays the trombone and jams with the band at Wilbur & McMahon School," said Ms. Hutson. "Michael DeLeo, the art teacher at Wilbur & McMahon, has also volunteered to be one of our celebrity tank participants."
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Saturday music — The Bonecrushers, will be playing for two hours next to the Red Shed, located behind the food tent. "They are a new local band describing all their songs as love songs," says Ms. Hutson. "They play a mix of cover songs and originals, blending rock, R&B, gospel, and ballads, into a sound uniquely theirs. With Cam Church on guitar, ukelele, bass and banjo; Peter Fallon on guitar and keyboard; and Michael Frady on drums and percussion."
• 1 p.m. — Dogs! — Dog show starts behind the big tent. "This is a favorite event," said Ms. Hutson. "They have a stuffed animal category. They also have a dress-alike category for dog and owner.”

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