Most of the vendors set up Friday night so the fair opened with “a good flow of people,” said Keith Buchanan, a board member of the town Youth Commission and coordinator of the event.
The fair, which also ran on Sunday, is one of several fundraisers for development of the Town Park. Fertilizing and seeding of the soccer, baseball and softball fields is under way, and a portable watering system is planned.
Buchanan said the fair has benefited from the absence of the festival at the shuttered Eagle Mills cider company. “Even if Eagle Mills opens again, our fair will be an annual event,” he predicted.
The choice of merchandise at the fair was wide, including such items as wreaths, jewelry, seasonings, goats milk products, electric candle ornaments, dog treats, maple syrup products, blankets and clothes.
Many buyers were thinking ahead to the holiday season. “I’m looking for holiday stuff—presents,” said Becky Calvello of Gloversville.
Forgiveness Cakes of Florida was offering flowered cupcakes and other baked goods for those who aren’t waiting for the holidays for something tasty.
The youth commission ordered cider and 70 bags of doughnuts from Rogers Family Orchard of Johnstown, sold 50 bags by 11:30, and had to order another 30, Buchanan said.
Bonita Engem of Richfield Springs was selling colorful, patterned adult and children’s bibs. “A lot of women buy for their husbands and for parents in nursing homes,” she said,
Engem said she wears a bib when she’s drinking coffee while driving. “When you’re driving your car, it looks likes you have a pretty outfit on,” she said.
“There’s a lot of variety to see” at the fair, said Sherry Passero of Johnstown.
“This is a nice girls day out,” added her friend, Kristina Ruggeri of Ephratah.
Laurie Van Tine of Troy went to school for making jewelry but found that jewelry didn’t sell as well as baby burping cloths—for the messy burps. Van Tine sees a real future in her business. “Babies are born every day,” she said.
Four members of the Broadalbin-Kennyetto Fire Company were on hand to interest people in becoming firefighters, offering fire safety tips, and selling tickets for a four-wheeler raffle as a fundraiser. The drawing will be on Nov. 11, so the firefighters will be marketing tickets for a while.
Students at the high school were helping out. Nollah Murray and Hayley McDougall were among the seniors working the food concession. “We’re raising money for our senior trip to Boston,” said Murray.
Juniors and seniors were also assisting as a community service requirement to be selected for the National Honor Society.
They were walking around with pads to take food and drink orders from the vendors. Aubrey Gennings and Riley Eipp said their role serving the vendors enabled the vendors to focus on their customers.
By 4:40 p.m. Saturday, 20 minutes before closing, 828 people had come to the fair and 96 dozen doughnuts were sold, Buchanan said.
“I’m excited about that number of people,” he said. “We’ll probably have another 600 tomorrow.”
