Terryville Lions Country Fair Brings New Changes

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

Sept. 2, 2021

Around 18,000 individuals were estimated to come to the Terryville Lions Country Fair as a few renovations and changes were introduced to the event at the Terryville Fairgrounds.

“I would say we have about 400 volunteers here and have about 100 Lions members,” said Steve Daigle, president of the Terryville Lions Country Fair. “The community rallies around us. They’re fantastic who come out and help us. It makes us get our job done easier and this year in particular has been very tough. We lost five of our members.”

Fellow Lions member and Steve’s wife Pat Daigle said that those five individuals would be sorely missed.

As the largest fundraiser for the Terryville Lions Club, the Daigles said it helped support efforts like the Farmers to Families Food Distribution Program.

“During covid when we couldn’t do too much, we were able to turn it around and provide thousands of pounds of food almost every week,” said Steve.

“We’re a civic-minded and community-minded organization and we try to help wherever we can,” said Pat.

Among some of the changes to the fair, a new vendors’ area with 90 stall spots, a new sheep and goat barn was also built and a new pulling track installed on the property. The fair also continues to make improvements to its motorsports arena.

Fred Messenger displayed he and his brother-in-law John Chalmers’ “hit-and-miss” two-stroke internal combustion engines from the early 20th century. One engine from the 1920s was utilized in pumping water, a much larger engine was utilized in cutting lumber and two smaller ones were utilized in pulling whatever belts in operations the operator found appropriate. The woodcutting engine was listed as 105 years-old according to a nearby sign.

Messenger said that he and Chalmers just enjoyed sharing their engines with visitors and overhauling older equipment.

Deborah Wells, LeRoy Wells and Kathy Wells all came to the fair to celebrate Kathy’s birthday.

“It’s changed a lot since the last time we came,” said LeRoy. “It’s been a while since the last time we came.”

The Wells said some of their favorite parts of the fair was getting to see the animals. Deborah said her favorite food at the fair was taco bowls. Kathy said her favorite food was fried dough.

“People should come and support their local town,” said LeRoy