Vermont’s longest-running fair celebrates 227 years

WINHALL, Vt. (WCAX) – What it might lack in size compared to other fairs around the state, the Bondville Fair in Southern Vermont makes up for in longevity.

“It’s something that we all look forward to for the entire year. It marks the end of summer but it’s really the highlight of our summer,” said Mary Beth Adelson of the Bondville Fair.

The Winhall Industrial Society has put on the longest-running fair in the state each year since 1797, a whopping 227 times.

What makes the fair special for organizers and visitors alike is the people who return year after year.

“It’s the memories and relationships I make every single year and the people I meet and stop and talk to, and when they tell me, ‘Oh, yeah, I used to come here in the ‘60s,’” said Scott Buschee, the president of the Winhall Industrial Society.

Most people who participate in the fair are very local, neighboring in Winhall or Londonderry.

“When we walk through these rows, we recognize people that we see, that we’re catching up with after have, you know, a long summer away, it’s just a great way to get the whole neighborhood together,” Adelson said.

Locals like volunteer Alexander Bilka from Winhall say the backyard feel of the fair is a boon.

“Stuff that we don’t get anywhere else without having to drive, obviously, but it’s something we don’t have, we don’t have anything else like this. So, it’s nice to have all these people here,” Bilka said.

“Like I see folks now that are older that came here when they were kids, and their kids are now here and their grandkids are now here,” Buschee said.

But locals aren’t the only fairgoers in town. Others travel from around New England like three kids from Connecticut who even pitched in before the gates opened Friday.

“I helped set up the rides, and stuff we banged it out in three days,” they said.

The fair continues through the weekend with the ever-popular truck pull event packing the stands on Saturday. Click here for more on the fair.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.