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Date: 8/18/2021
WESTFIELD – Organizers and countless volunteers who are passionate about the Westfield Fair are putting the finishing touches on the fairgrounds as the 93rd annual celebration is planned for Aug. 20 to 22.
“This year we are excited to be switching up the schedule in our entertainment department as well as focusing on our youth agricultural exhibitors,” said Andy Freniere, a board member of the Westfield Fair.
The annual hay bale toss is always a popular attraction and Freniere said he expects some friendly competition.
“The hay bale toss is a contest we and a few other fairs have found to be a lot of fun,” said Freniere. “It originates from hay farming, where hay bales need to be thrown up into a haystack.”
Freniere added that physical farmwork like this often turned into a competition.
“Men and women compete in separate events to see who can throw a hay bale over a field goal-type structure, aiming for the highest mark,” he said. “A Westfield local plans on coming back to keep his title as the Westfield Fair’s hay bale toss champion.”
In addition to the friendly competition from the hay bale toss, expect even more fun to observe during the demolition derby at 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Massachusetts Truck Pullers Association competition starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, the Western Massachusetts Tractor Pullers Association from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and the New England Lawn Mower Racing Association competition at 11 a.m. the same day.
“We also will be holding an event which involves a vehicle teeter-totter,” said Freniere. “Anyone can enter and try to balance their vehicle on a special built teeter-totter to claim their victory.”
Entertainment will also include The Rattletones on Aug. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Aug. 21, the Leaf Jumpers take the stage from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by Cruise Control from 5 to 9 p.m. On Aug. 22, The New Domestics will perform from 1 to 2 p.m.
“Our agricultural roots run deep, not only in our fair but in the traditions and families behind it, which have been developed for generations,” said Freniere. “This year our livestock shows will be open to youth only, to allow us to focus on supporting the kids who had so much taken away from them in 2020.”
Freniere noted that due to the uncertainty of traditional premiums this year, fair organizers decided to focus on sponsorships and awards for young people.
“Our livestock youth will also be offering demonstrations this year to share with the public,” said Freniere, adding, “look for our cow milking demonstrations throughout the weekend.”
Freniere also said “local favorite” North Elm Butcher Block is back and will be serving a wide range of fare in the dining hall all weekend. The menu will include pulled pork, brisket, pulled pork nachos, loaded baked potatoes, bacon wrapped ribs, buffalo chicken bites and mac and cheese.
The Westfield Fair is set on 20 picturesque acres at 137 Russellville Rd., Westfield. For a complete list of shows, vendors and updates to the schedule, visit thewestfieldfair.com or search for the Westfield Fair on Facebook.com.
Admission is $8, or $6 for seniors, and free for children under 12 accompanied by a paid adult admission. Parking is $2 per car.
“Each year we value the opportunity to contribute to being a part of making the annual fair happen when August rolls around,” said Freniere, noting that generations of families begin the planning process in January to ensure all logistics are in place for a “successful year.”
“We appreciate being a part of a volunteer organization that works together to promote agriculture and provide some entertainment for our community each summer,” he added.
Freniere said the Westfield Fair promises the sights and smells of a summer day attending a country fair.
“The fair has always been a small part of our local community,” said Freniere. “It is a place that friends and families gather each year to enjoy a fun-filled family weekend right here close to home. As a family that raises a 4-H family here in Westfield, we look forward to taking the opportunity each year to promote agriculture, compete, and share our passion with our local community.”
Something to do each day
Schedules are subject to change without notice due to inclement weather.
Aug. 20
5 p.m.: Grounds open, as well as the food booths, midway, exhibits, craft barn, petting zoo and farm museum.
6 p.m.: Official opening, including a veterans’ flag ceremony and Magical Moments balloon sculpture offering; Rattletones perform on the main stage.
6:30 p.m.: Demolition derby.
8 p.m.: Teeter-totter competition.
Aug. 21
8 a.m.: Grounds open and food booths open.
9 a.m.: Opening of exhibits and petting zoo, as well as junior dairy show and the Miss Westfield Pageant.
10 a.m.: Opening of craft barn and food concessions, oxen show.
11 a.m.: Opening of midway, junior sheep show, ox draw.
11:30 a.m.: Junior beef show.
12 p.m.: Hay bale toss, presentation of dairy scholarships on the main stage.
1 p.m.: Truck pulls, pedal tractor pull for kids, followed by games at the activity center.
1:30 p.m.: Leaf Jumpers perform on the main stage.
3 p.m.: Magical Moments balloon sculpture offering.
4 p.m.: Bike raffle for kids on the main stage, junior dairy costume class.
5 p.m.: Cruise Control performs on the main stage.
Aug. 22
8 a.m.: Grounds open and food booths open, antique tractor pulls run all day.
9 a.m.: Opening of exhibits, petting zoo and adult dairy show.
10 a.m.: Touch a truck, opening of craft barn and food concessions, adult sheep show.
11 a.m.: Opening of midway, horse draw, lawn mower racing.
12 p.m.: Adult beef judging, Whip City BMX racing, and Magical Moments balloon sculpture offering.
1 p.m.: The New Domestics perform on the main stage.
6 p.m.: The Westfield Fair annual auction.