The Guilford Fair Has Given For Generations, Now It Needs Help

"The Guilford Agricultural Society — since 1859 — is a Library of Congress Local Legacy and producer of the Guilford Fair — an event held close in the hearts and minds of generations.

Because of the pandemic cancellation of the main event and other smaller fundraisers, we need your help to raise at least $50,000 in 2020 operating funds. We know you may be facing hard financial times yourselves. We know you are being asked to donate to many causes. We don’t take this challenge lightly.

The Society has kept agriculture in the forefront of the minds of Connecticut residents since 1859. The Society is a 501 (c) 5 agricultural/horticultural organization. It relies on event revenue and donations to maintain the 30+ -acre Fairgrounds adjacent to the Town of Guilford’s historic district.

The roots of The Guilford Agricultural Society run deep. At a time of environmental advocacy, the Society’s goals dovetail closely with the current movement to better understand our earth, its inhabitants and its riches. Producing a Fair, sharing the property with for events, caretaking the 30-acre property — it is all a volunteer labor of love with all monies netted plowed right back into future fairs.

For years the Society has heard townspeople talk about the fairgrounds as a taxpayer amenity – almost a second town green. It’s true that many view it as a second town green but we receive no tax dollars for the operation. The Fairgrounds property is a vital asset to the community. It’s always been offered for rentals, on a limited schedule and scope determined by town rules. And some town events held there ARE FREE of rent and charges — such as using the grounds for the annual town fireworks or, just recently, the 2020 Guilford High School Graduation. Even small gifts from those of you who have enjoyed past fairs, 2020 graduates who loved their graduation event this summer, those families missing fireworks, neighbors and other friends, are all appreciated."

Donate to the Guilford Fair COVID Recovery GoFundMe here.

Or checks may be mailed to the Guilford Agricultural Society at P.O. Box 290, Guilford, CT, 06437 Thank you for your consideration, and we will keep you up to date on our progress.

And don’t forget the Guilford Fair will still take place this year virtually on its normal fair weekend, September 18, 29 and 20, 2020.

Visit guilfordfair.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on the Guilford Patch