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Date: 5/10/2022
WARE – The Ware Grange is most known in the community for their annual agricultural fair. This year will be their 75th annual Fair and plans are now underway for the event, which is scheduled for August 27.
“This is a free community event which appeals to all ages,” said Secretary Randy Vaill Jr. for Ware Grange and the Ware Grange Fair. Vaill is a fifth generation Grange member and has been a member for over 30 years. “Anyone in Massachusetts can exhibit at the fair. Exhibitors can enter in agricultural and non-agricultural categories, including vegetables, fruits, canning, photography, fancywork, arts and crafts, baked goods and flowers.”
Their annual fair has several events during the day, such as children’s field events, a bake sale, a chicken barbecue with musical entertainment and face painting. They have had other demonstrations and exhibits from other organizations during the fair, though this year’s schedule of events is not finalized yet. In the past, they have had the Ware Fire Department, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Second Chance Animal Services and Here Today Adopted Tomorrow Animal Sanctuary.
The Ware Grange is a fraternal organization that focuses on agriculture, education and community service. Founded on April 18, 1888, Ware Grange #164 is a local chapter of the Massachusetts State Grange organized in 1873, which is part of the National Grange. The Grange, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was organized at the national level in 1867 as an organization that provided social opportunities for rural farmers, a legislative voice for farmers and economic collaboration for farmers to purchase goods needed to operate their farms and sell what they produced.
“The Grange plays an important role in the community by helping educate people about gardening and agriculture to help them understand where their food comes from and how they can grow and care for their own plants,” Vaill added.
In addition to their fair, Ware Grange typically hosts gardening workshops throughout the year to educate the community on various agricultural topics. These events are also free and open to the public. They bring in speakers to give presentations on topics such as healthy soil, wreath-making, growing specific types of plants and winterizing gardens. They also donate dictionaries each year to all the third-grade students in Ware and St. Aloysius Catholic School in Hardwick. Their fundraising efforts go toward various purposes such as operating the fair and their other events and community projects, as well as upkeep of their building. The Grange Hall, which is located on Belchertown Road (Route 9) was originally a two-room schoolhouse in the 1800s.
Additionally, the Ware Grange is sponsoring a seed library, a new project they launched this year at the Ware Library, which allows library patrons to take and donate seeds.
As of right now, Vaill said they don’t have any other confirmed events scheduled other than their Fair in August, but they hope to plan some gardening workshops for the summer as well.
“We are always looking for help to organize and run our events and welcome new members who are interested in contributing to the work we do,” Vaill responded. “We would love to be able to do more for the community; however, our numbers have declined over the years, and we do not have enough volunteers to expand what we’re currently doing. We are looking for more community-minded individuals to help us grow and expand our involvement in the community.”
For those who are looking to get involved in the Grange, they can reach out at waregrange@comcast.net or stop by one of their events or meetings which are all listed on their website at waregrange.org.