Little Compton Church Fair a South Coast summer highlight

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 7/6/16

LITTLE COMPTON — The Summer Church Fair in Little Compton, presented by the United Congregational Church on Saturday, July 9, promises a cornucopia of activities, tastes, fun, and sounds to suit all ages.

Beginning on Friday night, with a concert in the church by The Gnomes — a 5-piece band playing global folk-fusion tunes — the fair unfolds, rain or shine, all day Saturday on and around the Commons.

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Little Compton Church Fair a South Coast summer highlight

Posted

LITTLE COMPTON — The Summer Church Fair in Little Compton, presented by the United Congregational Church on Saturday, July 9, promises a cornucopia of activities, tastes, fun, and sounds to suit all ages.
Beginning on Friday night, with a concert in the church by The Gnomes — a 5-piece band playing global folk-fusion tunes — the fair unfolds, rain or shine, all day Saturday on and around the Commons.
The day kicks off fast Saturday morning at 9 a.m., with the 4.8 mile "flat and fast" road race. Best times range from about 22 minutes to 30 minutes, so get there early or miss the excitement. The race, which awards cash prizes to the winners, draws runners from all over who com.
"The race course is a lovely and very flat loop around one of Rhode Island's most scenic areas. We have commemorative t-shirts, designed by Megan Kelchner, for the first 500 entrants, with food and refreshments afterwards," said Sue Hutson, one of the fair organizers. Megan Kelcher, an illustrator now based in Manhattan, graduated from Tiverton High School a few years ago, and two years in a row, 2011 and 2012, won Google's "Doodle 4 Google" contest.)
"People have been telling me how wonderful the summer fair is," said United Congregational Church's new minister Rebecca Floyd Marshall. "It has been amazing to watch the months of planning unfold, with droves of volunteers from the church and the broader community dedicating countless hours and giving so generously to make it happen. I am reminded once again of how special this community is and how honored I am to be a part of it. It will be a joy to see it all come together on July 9. I can't wait to eat the lobster lunch and see the road race in action."
• Food. "We have our lobster lunch put on by the church," Ms. Hutson said. "It's also known as the best deal in town. For $20 one gets a lobster roll, chips, drink and a dessert."
"We also have what we call our 'Fabulous Food Vendors,' " she said — Compton Clambakes, Crowther's Restaurant, and Simmon's Cafe & Market, "that will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, stuffed quahogs, smoothies and more."
• Crafts. "We have over 60 craft vendors with many favorites returning, and new ones attending this year," Ms. Hutson said.
• Games and the dunk tank. Children’s games will be located off the street next to the Church office. We have a bounce house and dunk tank sponsored by Peckham's Greenhouse, as well as other games for all ages.
The dunk tank is always a big favorite. This year Joao Arruda, the principal of the Wilbur McMahon School, is among those to be dunked from 11-11:30. Little Compton Police D.A.R.E. officer Sue Cressman will be dunked from 10-10:30.
The rock wall. "The largest rock wall in Southern New England will be at the fair," said Ms. Hutson. "It is sponsored by Country & Coastal Real Estate of Little Compton and Country Woolens of Westport." As at last year' fair, there will be spotters and harnesses.
• Silent Auction. The silent auction this year has a new category for furniture, Ms. Hutson said, as well as items donated by local businesses and services — such as rounds of golf and private tennis lessons. "Party Central" is another new category, she said, that involves lunch at the Sakonnet Point Club, for example, and prepared dinners delivered to private homes.
• Under the big tent. "This area is so popular we need to hold folks back until 9 a.m.," Ms. Hutson said. She was referring to a White Elephant area that will have treasures, books and bake sale items.
• Friday concert: The Gnomes, 7 p.m.. Tickets $15 adults, $5 for children 16 and under. For tickets call 401-635-8742.
• Parking. Parking offers a challenge this year, Ms. Hutson said, due to the renovation of the recreation fields. "We are blessed that the two sister churches in town, St. Andrews and St. Catherine's, will share their parking lots with us." There is also on street parking, and carpooling is always an option, she said.
"All funds raised by the fair go to support our beautiful old historic church and the many outreach missions and ministries that we do," said Ms. Hutson last year when the fair was being planned. In years past, she said, the fair had raised an estimated $30,000-$40,000, after expenses.

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