Cannon Grange Cancels 93rd Annual Fair over Question About Adjacent Property

In a press release sent to GOOD Morning Wilton, representatives from Cannon Grange announced that the organization’s longstanding annual agricultural fair, which was planned this year for Aug. 24, was cancelled, citing the inability to obtain permission from the adjacent property owner to use a parking area.

While difficulty communicating with the neighbor led to group’s unfortunate decision, further inquiry by GOOD Morning Wilton showed a different outcome might have been possible and there is hope for future events.

It would have been the 93rd annual Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair hosted by Cannon Grange #152, which was established in 1899 as one of numerous granges throughout the state and is steeped in Wilton’s agricultural history.

The event traditionally features scores of judged contests in wide-ranging categories (baking and culinary arts; crafts; vegetables and fruits; sewing and needlepoint; live animals, and many other categories) and the parking area is typically filled with tents and booths for vendors and nonprofits to showcase themselves to fair visitors, along with various family fun activities and live music performances.

Adding further complexity, the Grange must follow state guidelines governing all local grange fairs — including the date when Cannon Grange may hold its event — and other requirements such as publishing a fair book.

Cannon Grange issued a press release about this year’s cancellation.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to secure the use of the adjoining parking area behind our beloved historic building. This essential space has supported the fair’s operations for decades, and without it, we cannot effectively hold the event in its traditional format.”

The press release went on to express “great sadness” about the decision to cancel, noting the fair was a “cherished tradition, held on the grounds, adjoining property, and within the walls of our historic Grange Hall” every year for decades — even last year, when historic flooding throughout Wilton but especially in the Cannondale area one week before the 2024 fair threatened to disrupt the plans.

The Question of Permission

GMW reached out to Patti Tomasetti, a longtime Cannon Grange member and event volunteer who was authorized to speak about the matter.

Tomasetti explained that the issue boiled down to the inability of the Grange, located at 25 Cannon Rd., to obtain permission from the owner of the neighboring property at 27 Cannon Rd. to use the parking lot between the two structures for fair activities.

Decades ago, the Grange owned all of the property, Tomasetti said, but after 27 Cannon Rd. was parceled off and sold, each of the subsequent owners has allowed the fair tradition to continue.

Cannon Grange shares entrance and exit driveways with 27 Cannon Rd., but not the large swath of parking area where much of the fair has traditionally taken place.

The building at 27 Cannon Rd. was acquired most recently in May 2024 by a company named for its address, 27 Cannon LLC.

She said the Grange attempted to contact the property owners via letter requesting permission to use the parking area, and asking for a response by April 1. One letter was sent via FedEx to the LLC’s mailing address and another copy was left at the door of 27 Cannon Rd.

Tomasetti clarified that the new owner had not expressly denied the Grange’s request, but Grange officials had simply not received a response, and so the fair organizers felt they had no choice but to cancel.

GMW asked Tomasetti whether a smaller event was considered. She explained that the scale of the event far exceeds the capacity of the four walls of the Grange building, and many months of advance planning are required.

The press release hinted that perhaps a favorable resolution might still be possible, but the focus has turned to planning for next year:

“We remain hopeful. Our dedicated volunteers are actively exploring possibilities for next year to either relocate the fair or reimagine it in a more limited format — one that focuses on indoor contests, educational programming, and support for civic and nonprofit organizations.”

GMW Makes A Connection

After receiving the press release, GMW sought to identify the 27 Cannon property owner and provide an opportunity to comment. The business filing with the State of Connecticut identified a principal of the company, Jennifer Zelvin McCloskey.

GMW reached out to her by email, asking various questions about the matter including to confirm that the company had received the Grange’s letter. McCloskey responded immediately and agreed to speak by phone.

“I was just very confused when I received your email, because I don’t recall receiving a letter from anybody,” McCloskey said.

“We absolutely would never have said no, especially if we knew that it was going to cause this festival to be canceled,” she continued. “That just really threw me for a loop.”

McCloskey did not respond to an emailed question about whether the building at 27 Cannon Rd. — also known as “The Barn at Cannon Crossing” — was currently occupied. However, both floors of the building are listed as available for rent on commercial real estate site LoopNet.

McCloskey did say she wished to contact Cannon Grange immediately, “so that we can have a conversation.”

Tomasetti confirmed that she had received a phone call from McCloskey Wednesday morning (June 4). Both parties agreed to update GMW on the outcome of their discussions. GMW will update this story when additional information is available.

In the meantime, Cannon Grange has expressed its appreciation to loyal supporters. As stated in the press release,

“We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our community and encourage you to continue engaging with the Cannon Grange. You can support us by renting our sweet facility for private events or attending our annual events” which include the Pancake Breakfast with Santa (Nov. 30) and Holiday Artisan Market (Dec. 6).

“Thank you to all who have supported the Cannon Grange over the years. At 126 years old, Cannon Grange #152 remains one of Wilton’s oldest organizations, proudly preserving and sharing a glimpse of our town’s agricultural heritage.”

“We’ve had hundreds of people come,” Tomasetti said. “It’s a little slice of Wilton, reminding us of Wilton history and our farming community.”

Individual memberships are also available for anyone aged 14 or older, including Wilton non-residents. Additional information can be found on the Grange’s website.