Emmanuel Episcopal Church to Host its 107th Country Fair

WESTON — A group of volunteers zested lemons and baked the crumble toppings for the apple pies in the kitchen of Emmanuel Episcopal Church's parish hall, 285 Lyons Plain Road, on Wednesday evening in preparation for its 107th Country Fair to be held this Saturday — rain or shine — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual event will feature bargain shopping, live music, burgers and hot dogs on the grill and a Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Connecticut Contest.

The Rev. Robert Ross says it's the 107th consecutive fair, making it the longest continuously running fair in town.

"Our friends in Norfield Congregational Church decided not to have theirs two years ago, breaking their streak. They were in the lead," he said with a smile, while talking about the friendly rivalry.

Aside from the shopping, local musician Chris Coogan will play in a concert outdoors from 1 to 4 p.m. and there will be games and a bouncy house for the children along with a cake walk and dance contest.

Visitors to the Country Fair will also get to see the new parish hall.

"For the last four or five years we didn't have a parish hall," the Rev. Ross said. "This year much of the fair will be indoors, under the roof of the air-conditioned hall. The old hall had been patched up so many times, that we built a new one that just opened this year."

Among the indoor activities Saturday, Greater Bridgeport Symphony musicians Leslie Frankel and Kathie Sumrow will play flutes at 11 a.m.

Shopping for a Cause

Parishioners of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and their friends made room in their crowded closets and took unused toys out of their attics to amass a collection of gently used merchandise for the fair.

"There are people coming here shopping for bargains and people looking for rare books — even New York Times Best Sellers," The Rev. Ross said.

"A new category this year is men, women and children's clothing," The Rev. Ross said. "We expect it to be popular. There are people who can't afford clothing in the area. I think people falsely see Weston as just a town of the affluent."

Last year's fair raised $2,600, which was used to assist Weston families in need with their oil bills.

"A single mother with three kids can buy some beautiful used toys at our fair and I don't think their children would notice," The Rev. Ross said of the quality of the items sold.

On a lower level of the church office building a table was covered with framed artwork and frames that will be sold this weekend. The collection ranged from a large print of the New England Patriots' stadium to scenic oil paintings.

The sales will also include jewelry and, for the first time, furniture.

The fair will have a silent auction of gift baskets, wine, professional services, tickets to sporting and cultural events and dinners at local restaurants.

Bring Your Sweet Tooth

Fair visitors eating lunch there will want to leave room for dessert. A coffee house and snack bar will offer apple pies, brownies and cookies baked in the church kitchen.

First Selectwoman Gail Weinstein will be a judge in the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Connecticut Contest, along with The Rev. Ross, Weston High School Student Council Co-President Jackson Marvin and Hurlbutt Elementary School Principal Laura Kaddis.

Of the annual fair, The Rev. Ross said, "It's one of the major events of the year for our church. It's seen as a community building activity. It's not just for the parishioners and not just for Episcopalians. It's extraordinarily popular."

For information, call the church office at (203) 227-8565 or visit the church website at emmanuelweston.org/.