| AUGUST 2, 2015 -- Cheshire’s Charles Dimmick wears so many hats, he is widely known throughout town for his many activities.
Some may know the 75-year-old as a retired Central Connecticut State University geology professor, he’s also a certified geologist. Others may know him as the father to Wesley and Edward. Then there’s his work in creating and sitting on the town’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission board for four decades.
Some may connect with him from one of his speaking engagements—his presentations have been booked with numerous organizations, clubs and functions.
One hat you may have missed? The hat Dimmick wears as an agricultural fair inspector. Dimmick is a member of the non-profit Association of CT fairs, and chair of the Classification Committee. The association provides oversight to its member CT Agricultural Fairs. It’s a group that’s been around 100 years, said Dimmick. His qualification for working with the group is simple. According to Dimmick, “I’m upright and breathing,” he said laughing. He also explains that it is a volunteer position.
“I love fairs,” Dimmick said. “It’s in my blood,” he added, waxing about his youth and his initiation into agricultural fairs. Living in New Jersey for a time when he was a young boy, Dimmick remembers being the youngest member of the Rabbit and Cavey Association. At the tender age of nine, he was recruited as the night watchman for the Dutch rabbits during the Morris County Fair. He recalls spending his time chasing after escapee rabbits and putting them back into their cages.
When settling in Cheshire in the early 1970s, he eventually found himself joining the Cheshire Grange, due in large part, because they had a fair. He, of course, became to be put in charge of the rabbits.
In Connecticut, July through October is “fair season”. That’s when Dimmick is busiest. In his job, he “diveys up the work” among those inspectors to make sure all the fairs are covered. He inspects at least 13 fairs himself.
Fairs vary in size and needs. Dimmick counts 20 major fairs, five district fairs and 25 local fairs in state. Different sized fairs have different requirements. The Lebanon Country Fair, Durham Fair and North Haven Fairs are major fairs. These fairs must follow strict rules of compliance when it comes to numbers and requirements. Major fairs must have rides and a certain number of them. Major fairs also adhere to a minimum number of animals exhibited and/or entered into competitions—sheep, cows, chickens, rabbits, et cetera. They also comply with a certain number of overall contests, competitions, and exhibits. The larger fairs are where people will find animal and tractor pulls, a midway with rides, commercial vendors, a home arts section with baked goods, vegetables, canned items, needlework and the like for exhibit and judging.
Local fairs include the Cheshire Grange Fair. While requirements mimic those of major fairs, the rules are not as strict or extensive. Dimmick also wears many hats at the Cheshire Grange. One position, that of chaplain, is one he’s held since 1995. He and his sons are heavily involved in the Cheshire Grange, and its annual Ag Fair, held this year Aug. 22-23.
It’s a lot of work in the small span of time that is the fair season. Why does he do it? “We do this for the fun of it. We put on a good show for the people.” Who could ask for more?
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