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Date: 8/23/2023
BLANDFORD — On Aug. 19, volunteers were out in force preparing for the upcoming 154th Blandford Fair on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4, many of them representing a multi-generational commitment to the all-volunteer-run New England country fair.
Matthew Ripley became the president of the fair in June. The youngest son of Leon Ripley of Maple Corner Farm in Granville, a farm which has been in the family for seven generations, said his family has been involved in the fair for four generations. Leon Ripley became a vice president in 1973, and is still a vice president.
Matt Ripley previously served as executive vice president for five years under Bruce Wyman, who served as president for 39 years, the longest running president in the history of the organization. Ripley said Wyman served a total of 50 years in an official capacity, following in the footsteps of his father, Lee Wyman, who was also involved.
Bruce Wyman died in June. “His heart was always in the fair, trying to do things in the best interest of the fair,” Ripley said.
“I worked directly with Bruce over the last 15 years on construction projects, the running of the fair. We’re both electricians, and had that in common, plus a general love for the fair,” he added. “Unfortunately his passing was untimely — I didn’t get to ask all the questions I would have liked to.”
Ripley said the loss of Wyman definitely hurt the organization as a whole: “He will definitely be missed. He was definitely a staple of the fairgrounds.” He said the renovation of the art barn was Wyman’s last project. “We’ve dedicated the art barn to Bruce for his dedication to the fair,” Ripley said, adding that a dedication ceremony took place over the summer.
The art show, which runs all weekend during the fair, is one of the unique aspects of the Blandford Fair. Christine Tighe, director since 2016, said up to 80 artists will be represented, and artists will be giving demonstrations throughout the fair. The art show has been a staple of the fair for the last 55 years.
There are new attractions this year, too. The Skyline Beer Company Beer Garden is new, and will feature fall seasonal beers, hard cider, and a variety of wines on Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m., and Monday, noon to 4 p.m.
Also new is the Wild Mustang Show from Heritage Farm in Easthampton, on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Ripley said owner Meg Deitner gets the mustangs out west, and takes “copious amounts of hours” to break them in. He said she will be showing a liberty performance with them, which she will also take to the world competition in Tennessee.
“We’re excited for this year. There are a lot of new things, and new energy,” Ripley said.
The Army National Guard obstacle course will be back for kids — “that was a big hit last year, we’re bringing that back,” Ripley said. There will also be a giant pumpkin display, a barnyard petting zoo, kiddie pedal tractor pulls, and a scarecrow contest to delight young and old. Ripley said the midway and rides will return next year.
The fair runs Friday, 4-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ripley said the board members are getting creative with admission prices this year. Normal pricing is adults $10, seniors and military $5, and kids 12 and under free. This year, they are offering half-price admission, $5, after 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for all adults. On “Blandford Day,” Monday, Sept. 4, admission is free for all Blandford residents.
“One of our priorities is giving back to the community,” Ripley said.
Other draws to a New England country fair are the meals and the music. Saturday will feature pulled pork and brisket, mac and cheese and cornbread from the North Elm Butcher Block in Westfield, which will also prepare Sunday’s traditional chicken barbecue, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Monday will offer a ham dinner, carrots and scalloped potatoes from the Blandford Bistro. Meals are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for kids 12 and under.
On Friday, the band Back Stage Pass will perform on the Center Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday music will feature the Resurrection Airmen Country Band at 1 p.m. and The Eagles Experience at 7 p.m. On Sunday, music will begin with Jon Berman, Blandford’s hometown saxophonist, singer and songwriter at noon, the Jesse Liam Band at 3 p.m. and the Roots of Creation at 7 p.m. On Monday, the Pine Hills Band will perform at 12:30 p.m.
The fair begins with 4-wheel-drive truck pulls on Friday, and closes a car show and demolition derby on Monday. In between are dairy cattle, horse and oxen draws, and a sheep show.
Ripley said the Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established in 1867 by a group of farmers working on animals and produce. The society started the Blandford Fair in 1869.
“It’s not the oldest, but one of the original country fairs,” he said.
Leon Ripley and Brenda Blood, Bruce Wyman’s cousin who started as secretary in 1974, are the longest-serving volunteers.
“We’re working on getting some of the new generation involved — we’re always looking for volunteers,” Matt Ripley said. “A lot of the fairs are run by multi-generational families.”
Maintenance and upkeep is also done all by volunteers. Wyman had worked with Vice President David Hopson to establish the Blandford Fair Preservation Association, a nonprofit to manage the preservation of the fairgrounds and the buildings. The association is fundraising for a new roof for the Agricultural Hall, which just started over the summer. It also just received an anonymous donation for new windows for the Hall, the oldest building on the 11-acre fairgrounds, and where it all started. Ripley said the agricultural building was the largest building in Blandford for many years.
“For 2024, we’re working on better utilization of the grounds off season with more events, and renting the grounds to increase our revenue,” Ripley said.
Current projects include a Touch-a-Truck event and Flea Market in June, and the Knox Trail Riders annual snowmobile show and swap meet in September.