It’s Already Time For The 2009 Bridgewater Fair

BRIDGEWATER — A longstanding tradition that strives to preserve the character of yesterday, The Bridgewater Country Fair will return to the fairgrounds on Route 133 the year over the weekend of August 21-23.

Gates will be open on Friday from 4 to 11 pm, Saturday from 8 am until 11 pm, and Sunday from 8 am until 7 pm. Admission is $8, and free for ages 12 and under; senior citizens are $5 on Saturday and Sunday, and a three-day adult pass is $16.

 Bridgewater Fair was, and still is, a place where one can compare the latest farm and lawn equipment and haggle on the price of a new vehicle. This year’s fair will bring back plenty of the traditional favorites — an art exhibit, raffle, sheep herding, shearing and spinning demonstrations, the Fireman’s Parade on Friday night (Botsford Fire Rescue is in the above photo from a previous parade), tents filled with regional vendors, plenty of refreshments and a midway with carnival rides.

Each year the Bridgewater Volunteer Firemen hold a raffle to help raise funds for the Fire Department. The raffle was started in 1956 by Walter Von Egidy to help raise money for the fire department in the event the weather created problems during fair weekend.  The raffle has continued to grow in popularity and is now a standard event for the fair.

This year’s raffle prizes include  the grand prize of a 2009 Toyota Prius. There is also a Harman woodstove, a $1,500 gift certificate from Scott’s Landscaping;  Frigidaire freezer and 50 pounds of beef; a kayak, vest and paddles; and a mountain bike.

Raffle tickets will be sold all fair weekend, and can also be purchased in advance at Bridgewater Village Store, Bridgewater Mobil Station, and from most Bridgewater Volunteer Fire  members.

Following the Firemen’s Parade on Friday at 6:45, the fair will be offering performances by oldies band Flashback on Friday at 8; Brothers of the Band, an Allman Bros. tribute band, on Saturday at 2, Steve Gregory Band at 5, and Chad Burdick at 8; and then Beginnings, a Chicago tribute band, on Sunday at 2.

Also this year there will be ongoing animal rides, educational programs and a petting zoo; appearances by Billy Steers and Tractor Mac (Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 4 pm); and hot dog racing pigs all three days.

Changes and new events are coming to the Sheep Tent this year. The old format of showing and competing with the sheep has been changed to an educational format. Sheep exhibitors will have displays along side their sheep, describing their particular breed. Fairgoers will be able to ask questions about raising and showing sheep.

Also new this year, Ginni Dodd will organize a scavenger hunt for children, with prizes awarded for locating information about the fair throughout the fairgrounds. Stop by the Sheep Tent for more information.

The fair is a major fundraiser for Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department.

For more information, contact Cathi Sullivan, fair secretary, at CathiSull@hotmail.com or 860-354-4730.