Painted pumpkins hang out a bit to dry at Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
Crazy, insane, nuts: Those are just some of the words used to describe the turnout at Saturday’s Kids Fest sponsored by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Many vendors had sold out of some products, some were almost sold out of everything at about 1:30, which another hour and a half to go.
The Sustainability Committee had only a handful of items left for their Halloween swap, despite starting out with many bins and one whole car full of Halloween costumes and clothes suitable for such.
But that was free stuff. How about stuff that was for sale.
Cyd’s Creative Kitchen had very brisk sales of cookies and cookie-decorating kits.
“It was fantastic,” said owner Cyd Ryle. “This place was nuts. I’ve never seen it like this.”
She usually has a table at the Huttleston Marketplace held on Saturdays throughout the summer.
Crowds gather on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School at the first Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21. Photo by Beth David.
She said she had to put some thought into what to take since the focus was on children. She usually sells home-made breads.
She had set up cookie decorating stations, but then it got too windy, so they just too them home.
“It has been a crazy day,” said Office of Tourism Director Chris Richard, adding that they sold out of pumpkins and ran out of treat bags. “We really didn’t know there would be this kind of crazy turnout.”
He said it was steady all day, even though it was very windy and the threat of rain was in the clouds. But the rain held off.
“It’s insane,” he said with a big smile.
“It’s a good crazy,” said Rosie of Rosie’s Sweets, who was almost sold out. “Just look at the kids,” who are having so much fun.
At the Fairhaven Cable TV booth, they ran out of the 200 special bags they were giving out and started giving out recycle bags.
Siblings and friends pose (sort of) for a photo by their adults to commemorate attendance at the first Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
They took more than 400 pictures and still had more than an hour to go. The pictures, taken in a Halloween backdrop, will be available for download for free. It was also a chance for the department to hype its upcoming Virtual Halloween party on 10/22 (see page 5).
In the very extensive pirate section, Head Pirate Erin Hedges said they completely ran out of merchandise. They sold pirate flags, eye patches, swords, and “general tom-foolery.” People could also take a picture in pirate jail for free (or a donation).
Activities included a costumed entertainers, including a large pumpkin on stilts; lawn games; costume contest; musicians; real live mermaids; pumpkin decorating; and more. Lots of freebies, such as popcorn and candy from the Lions Club, made it an event families could enjoy without breaking the budget.
For more information on other Office of Tourism events, visit www.fairhaventours.com, call 508-979-4085, or email fairhaventours@fairhaven-ma.gov
L-R: Three brothers and their sister, Noah as the Fish from Fortnite, Brody as Venom of Marvel Comics fame, Liam as a scary scarecrow, and Isabella as a princess (I think…I can’t read my writing), pose for the local free sheet at the Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
A scurvy pirate challenges anyone and everyone to a duel at the first Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
A mermaid (man?) from Ever After Storbyook Entertainment hangs out to meet festival goers at the first Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
Old time lawn games are part of the fun at the first Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
A giant pumpkin wanders around the Fairhaven Kids Fest on 10/9/21 on the lawn of the Fairhaven Visitors Center and Fairhaven High School. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the entire 10/14/21 issue: 10-14-21 KidsFest
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