A fair to go down in history

The town of Amenia had a real treat last weekend, Aug. 14 through 16, as the South Amenia Community Fair was resurrected for the first time since 1942. The festivities were a part of the 250th anniversary of the Union Society of South Amenia (which owns the land  the South Amenia Presbyterian Church calls home). The fairground itself was on a field owned by Bridget Potter, on South Amenia Road.

With the sighting of each tent on the Potter property, up went the level of excitement among fair-goers. With the knowledge of each child or adult wandering through the enchanting fairgrounds, up went the anticipation of fun and good times. This fair was really something special. It was more than simply a fair, it was the celebration of a town’s history.

Historic photos helped members of the Union Society plan the fair and its many events. They showed young men crawling through barrels during an obstacle race. Then there were pictures depicting young girls holding souvenir umbrellas, bright in the summer sun, a vision of youth and innocence. The photos also captured images of young boys playing and competing, in one instance straddling a log while dueling it out during a pillow fight in 1914. Another, a picture of the young and brave trying to catch a greased pig, an activity that is as foreign to us today as iPods would have been to our predecessors back then.

Many of those photos, and more, inspired the events that the Union Society offered at its fair over the weekend — bringing to life, once again, the spirit and the energy of the lost innocence of simpler times. Life in the country. A day at the fair.

It’s absolutely wonderful that residents of Amenia, and beyond, could participate in such an event. And for free, as there was no entrance fee. Much thanks should be given to the organizers of the event, who worked diligently to offer such a realistic portrayal of what once was in the past, now again in today’s world. They volunteered their time and toiled tirelessly and their efforts were rewarded with a successful fair. Well done!

It’s truly something special that Amenia could come together for an event like this and celebrate its heritage, its history and its present. Here’s hoping it will also keep an eye on the future, and perhaps keep the South Amenia Community Fair on the calendar for years to come — it would be such a lovely tradition to re-establish and a credit to this town to support its continuance in any way it can.

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