By Beth David, Editor
Just a smidge before the September Equinox, Fairhaven celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of fall with the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day on Saturday, 9/21. The Equinox was on 9/23. And now autumn begins for real.
The annual day celebrating the harvest and all goods produced locally, included about 75 booths, with food and fun for the kids, too.
A couple of old vehicles, a tractor, a living statue, and a stilt walker, all graced the grounds of the west lawn of Fairhaven High School and the area in front of the Fairhaven Visitors Center. Live music by the Unlikely Strummers ukelele group added to the festive atmosphere.
Many vendors said they were extremely pleased with the crowds and the number of sales, and only wished that people would come out in similar numbers during the summer marketplace held at the same location.
Almost all the food vendors ran out of food, which means, of course, that they did very well, too.
Lisa Elliott, who sells items created on a small loom, simply pointed to the bare spots around her tent answer the question of how well she did on Saturday.
“Very well,” she said pointing. “I have empty hangers.”
Christopher Richard, Fairhaven’s Office of Tourism Director, said he was very happy with the turn out.
This year, the festival was held a little earlier in the season. The Huttleston Marketplace was held every Saturday during summer, and many of the same vendors joined in for the Harvest Fun Day.
It was a great way to cap off the marketplace’s season and the summer season.
The warm weather on Saturday, though, made it hard to believe that summer was over. Temperatures reached close to 80, but the cool breeze from the harbor kept the grounds comfortable.
Young Roison Griffin tried her hand at the wheel of a 1924 Ford Model T Depot Hack on display. She said she really liked the vehicle because it was so old.
A the other end of the field, children chased bubbles that were created by a living statue, “Snow” who would periodically come to life to delight children of all ages. A stilt walker, and the notorious pirate, Abby Black also roamed the grounds freely.
The next opportunity to buy from many of the same vendors in Fairhaven, will be a the Manjiro Festival on 10/5. See page 5 for details.
To learn more about the Office of Tourism and other upcoming events, visit FairhavenTours.com, email FairhavenTours@fairhaven-ma.gov, or call 508-979-4085.
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Click here to download the entire 9/26/19 issue: 09-26-19 HarvestFun
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- A 1924 Ford Model T Depot Hack (left) and a 1930s era Ford Model A sedan are perfect bookends for the harvest display at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- The “Unlikely Strummers” are at it again and got people dancing and singing their favorite songs for most of the day at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- Solomon Barratt dances with his mom Elise Tetreault to a tune courtesy of the “Unlikely Strummers” at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- “Snow,” a Living Statue and performer from Brattleboro, VT entertains the kids with some bubbles at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- Nevaeh Mattos from Fall River, poses on the tractor at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- The notorious pirate Abby Black strikes a pose for the local free sheet at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Members of the Fairhaven Lions Club are all smiles after selling out of most items during the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Lorenzio Ferreira seems like he knows exactly what to do with the wheel of the 1924 Ford Model T Depot Hack on display at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Roison Griffin tries her had at the wheel of the 1924 Ford Model T Depot Hack on display at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Sandy and Joe Perrone give a smile for the local free sheet, although their little pooch would not cooperate, at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Living statue “Snow” blows a kiss after receiving a tip at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- The “Unlikely Strummers” are at it again and got people dancing and singing their favorite songs for most of the day at the seventh annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 9/21/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
