Nathan tries his hand at pumpkin bowllng under the helpful eye of Tracy Travers of St. Joseph School in Fairhaven at the 5th annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on Saturday, 10/14. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
It seemed that the rain would hold off, or just be a drizzle in the morning, when vendors were setting up for Fairhaven’s fifth annual Harvest Fun day on Saturday, 10/14. But then, Mother Nature had other ideas. The rain poured at times, drizzled at others, but remained steady until the very end of the day.
Camille Rebelo, with the help of her great grandmother Rita Rodericks, shows great concentration as she decides how to decorate her cookie at the booth sponsored by Our Lady’s Haven at the 5th annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
That did not stop a steady stream of folks from coming out and enjoying the day. Despite the rain, the weather was warm, and there was little wind.
James, at the novelty booth, did especially well, because he remembered to bring the umbrellas. He sold more than a few.
Kaylin Martens carefuly decorates her cookie at the OLH booth during the Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 10/14/17. Photo by Beth David.
At the cookie decorating table run by Our Lady’s Haven, Lisa Grillo and Lisa Cadime said they had customers all day. It seemed that every child decorated a cookie, for free.
Christina Lopez and Bonnie Ortiz of New Bedford said they would not let a little rain ruin their day. They enjoyed the hot kale soup and clam chowder.
Ms. Ortiz said she was there to support her grandchildren who were in the dance group performing.
“To support whoever is here, really, said Ms. Ortiz. “And the kale soup is delicious.”
Members of the Bell Committee also managed to eek out a success. Not only did they show the Revere Bell, but they were selling coasters designed and illustrated by high school student Jessica Lawrence. And she stopped by to sign them all.
Artist Jessica Lawrence signs the coasters she designed and illustrated of the Paul Revere Bell, while Ryan Hipolito watches with interest at the Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on 10/14/17. Photo by Beth David.
“It’s for good cause,” said Ms. Lawrence, a senior at Fairhaven High School. “And it gets my art out there.”
“ I was amazed at how many people stopped by to see and learn of the bell’s history,” said Doug Brady, of the Bell Committee who noted that all three times the bell has been on display, it rained. “It is great to see the community, students and schools come together to support one of our town’s treasure – the 1796 Paul Revere bell.”
He said the coasters are a fund-raiser for the bell, which will find a permanent home at Town Hall as soon as they raise the money.
“Even though it rained, it was a great day and fun for all,” said Mr. Brady in an email, making a plug for the coasters. Call the bell committee at town hall, 508-979-4023, to order coasters. “It was great to have Jessica Lawrence, the artist personally signing the coasters.”
Ellie the opossum and her human, Lindsay, from the Buttonwood Park Zoo, take shelter under the tent at the 5th annual Harvest Fun Day in Fairhaven on Saturday, 10/14/17. Photo by Beth David
Fairhaven’s Office of Tourism sponsored and organized the event. Director of Tourism Christopher Richard took it all in stride. That’s the nature of outdoor festivals, and, if anyone understands a weather dependent activity, it is a farmer. It was, after all, a harvest festival.
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Click here to download the entire 10/19/17 issue:10-19-17 HarvestFunDay
