Cannon Grange Fair Returns, with Renamed Contest as Memorial for Deceased Longtime Friend

Cannon Grange, located in Wilton’s historic Cannondale District (25 Cannon Rd.), will host its 87th Agricultural Fair on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. It is an authentic agricultural fair that recalls Wilton’s rural and agrarian past, complete with juried exhibits of horticulture, home-arts of culinary, sewing and needlework, eggs, photography, crafts, small farm animals, and watercolor painting. An agricultural fair wouldn’t be complete without a variety of concessionaires, non-profit organizations, games for children, and food.

The fair takes place on the grounds and inside the historic Grange Hall located at 25 Cannon Rd. in the Cannondale section of Wilton. Free parking is available across the road at the Cannondale Railroad Station. Admission to the fair is $2 per person, or $1 per person with a non-perishable canned good that will go to the Wilton Food Pantry.

New for the 87th Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair will be Tent-Talks and a re-named Baking Contest. The Tent Talks will feature experts on a variety of subjects of interest to the general public who will be scheduled for 15-minute sessions throughout the day. A listing of scheduled speakers is shown on the Grange website.

The re-named baking contest was Formerly called The Cannon Grange Perpetual Trophy contest, the baking contest has now been re-named The Dave Barrett Perpetual Trophy Baking Contest in memory of longtime Grange friend Dave Barrett, who succumbed to illness in 2018. This year’s Fair Book has a full-page tribute to Dave and description of the re-named contest.  For the contest’s first year, recipe contestants are asked to make a pecan pie which was one of Dave’s signature confections.

Dave, his wife Joyce and their son Luke have been active participants and exhibitors at the Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair for decades. Dave was the “Voice of the Fair,” providing public address announcements and as auctioneer of exhibits at the conclusion of the Fair. But Dave’s real passion with the Fair was in baking. Both he and Joyce won several baking contests individually from among the numerous categories at the Cannon Grange Fair. His most exciting “win” was when Dave represented the Cannon Grange Fair at the Association of CT Fairs baking contest, and then again when he won the “Best of Show” purple rosette for his Sweet Potato Pecan Pie at Wilton’s own fair. His grin of happiness and pride extended from ear-to-ear.

The Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair is a member of the Connecticut Association of Fairs, and sponsors three baking contests:  a junior baking contest (apple pumpkin crumb muffins), an adult baking contest (cinnamon star bread) and a two-crust apple pie contest.

Entry forms to enter any of the contests as described in the pink-covered Fair Book are also available online, and can be submitted at any time. Each entry is $1 from now until Aug. 24. Entry fees paid on Sunday, Aug. 25 (Fair day) will be $3 per entry. Printed Copies of the Fair Book are available from local merchants, Wilton Library, Wilton Town Hall and Offinger’s Farm Stand (250 Chestnut Hill Rd.).

All are invited to participate with entries, many of which have categories for children and adults to enter. Wilton residency is not required. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, Honorable Mention and for Best in Show within a category (e.g. flowers) winners will receive a large purple rosette and cash award of $10.

For additional information, please view the Grange’s website, reach out via email, or call 203.762.1900.