Willimantic Downtown Country Fair
ON JILLSON SQUARE
SATURDAY September 25th, 2021 11am-4pmWe missed you at the Fair last year! And we sure are happy to be getting ready for this year’s event! There will be music, food, and local craft vendors …all in the middle of our beautiful Town Green.
Thank you all for a great fair!
More info coming soon. Thank you all for a great fair in 2019!
Willimantic Downtown Country Fair
The Willimantic Downtown Country Fair is celebrating its 21st birthday on Saturday, September 28th, at Jillson Square and it won’t be a party without you! Among the many reasons to go to this free event: music, crafts, food, a giant bee puppet, and an opportunity to dance to the classic tune Willimantic USA. And it’s fun. And your friends will be there. Or maybe you’ll make new ones! Last year’s event drew 1,000 people over the course of the day to eat, frolic, hang out, and shop. The Fair is organized and produced by the Willimantic Food Coop which will soon have its 40th birthday.
Come hungry and you can purchase food and drink from local vendors including Pleasant Pizza, Not Only Juice, Grounded, Tacos la Rosa, Maharajah, Azuluna Foods, and Fenton River Grill. Vegans, vegetarians, carnivores and omnivores will all find something to suit their palates. If you’re there before noon you can also shop at the weekly Willimantic Farmers’ Market.
Come with your kids – or your inner kid – to play and make stuff with activities sponsored by Oak Grove Montessori School. You can experiment with Montessori materials to create your own mindfulness coloring activity, check out the arts and crafts projects, and learn about how the Montessori approach promotes good earth stewardship and sustainable use of resources. And be on the look out for the giant (non-stinging) bee…..
Speaking of sustainability, keep your eyes open for the multiple demonstrations of thoughtful ways to promote good use of resources and decrease waste at the Fair. Food vendors will be serving using compostable food ware. The Windham Community Food Network is coordinating recycling efforts and will provide education about what’s in and what’s out of the recycling stream these days. Fair goers can sew their own cloth bags from upcycled fabric, possibly on a bicycle powered sewing machine. How cool is that?
Come to move and groove and be treated to music of many genres, from art-punk to Afro-Caribbean Jazz to unique takes on cover songs. The line-up as of press is: Lawnchair on Mars, 12 Pack of Safety Glasses, Zoo Front, Hunter’s Moon, Bentetu Band, a teen a capella group and a group of teen homeschoolers. If you have never heard the Willimantic USA jingle, you are missing out on a locally inspired treasure. And if you’ve never danced to it, or you’d like to do it again – this is your chance. There will be simple instruction for a group dance that is open to all; no dance experience necessary.
Come to check out the local crafts vendors, all of whom are from towns within the Quiet Corner, bringing their own goods to show and sell. You can find photography, pottery, woodworking, candles, and hand knit goods, among other things. You are also invited to participate in a community weaving project as well. Again, no experience necessary. And there will be opportunities to learn about area community groups at their information tables.
For whatever reason you like, just come. Saturday, September 28th, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Jillson Square. Free, Willimantic Downtown Country Fair. You. Be there. Aloha. ~ Winky Gordon, Mansfield
Vendor applications available now!
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Willimantic Downtown Country Fair
Joining with the Willimantic Farmers Market* again on Jillson Square
SATURDAY September 28th, 2019 10am-4pm
Last year’s fair was a great success! Again there will be music, food, local craft vendors and children’s activities…all in the middle of our beautiful Town Green. Join us!
The Willimantic Downtown Country Fair strives to provide a fun, creative and environmentally sound event
that promotes local skills and craftsmanship. We only accept items produced in the Quiet Corner – Windham, Tolland and New London Counties – no imported or mass produced goods please. We reserve the right to reject applicants.
2019 Fees
Vendors and Not-for-Profit Groupss – $10 per 10’x10’ space
Food Vendors – $50 per 10’x10’ space – please see our Food Vendor Application
Setup 8:30 am – 10 am
Vendors must provide their own tables and tents etc. No electricity or water will be available.
In case of questionable weather, please check our website.
Any questions – contact Alice – 860 456-3611 or use our form.
*Farmers Market runs 8 am – Noon