By CT Department of Agriculture (8/28/10)

Governor M. Jodi Rell today is reminding residents - young and old alike - that the forecast for the next several weeks is "fair" and very favorable for home-grown family entertainment.

"In other words," Governor Rell said, "The Fall Fair season in Connecticut will be in full swing. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the season than enjoying a day at a fair with friends and family. Connecticut fairs - from the smallest to the largest - attract more than one million visitors a year. As we celebrate the state 375th Anniversary our fairs are a prime place to celebrate 375 years of agriculture.

"Agriculture is a tremendously important part of the history of Connecticut and is invaluable to us today. It is a $2 billion industry and accounts for 50,000 jobs and thousands of acres of open field and meadows that we have preserved for generations," the Governor said.

The Governor said more than a dozen fairs are on tap over the next few weeks, including the oldest - the Brooklyn Fair this weekend - and two largest over the Labor Weekend with the Woodstock Fair and Goshen Fair. (Complete list attached)

State Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli said Connecticut farmers have enjoyed record harvests this year in a number of crops because of favorable growing weather.

"Blueberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, apples, and now pumpkins have come weeks earlier than normal thanks to the warm weather; a pleasant change from last year's cool, wet summer," Commissioner Prelli said. "Farmers and Connecticut residents alike have made the most of what the summer has to offer. While you may not make it to a farm to enjoy Connecticut agriculture, it's very prevalent at Connecticut fairs.

"Our fairs are also a great place to learn about and appreciate the past, present and future of Connecticut agriculture," Commissioner Prelli said. "Antique tractors and other equipment are always popular exhibits. There are also displays on the newest trends in farming with state-of-the-art equipment."

Many of the activities at Connecticut Agricultural Fairs date back to when the fair was organized, often in the early 1900's. A pie eating contest, baking, canning, and vegetable contests, and livestock exhibits are all part of our fairs' history. Examples of other interesting exhibits at fairs include:

• Brooklyn Fair, August 26-28 - people have the chance to see where their milk comes from as they watch cows being milked in a traditional milking parlor. 
• Woodstock Fair, held annually on Labor Day weekend - an entire building is dedicated to Connecticut agriculture. Children can make their own butter like it was once made or learn the latest techniques for organic farming,
• Hebron Harvest Fair, September 9-11 - fairgoers can pick up baby chicks and see first hand what it takes to shear sheep.

• The first farmers market was established in Hartford in 1643. Now there are over 120 markets in 97 towns;
• The oldest fair in Connecticut is the Brooklyn Fair, established in 1809
• The first commercial peach orchard in the country was the J.H. Hale Orchard, established in Glastonbury in 1875.