Annual Fun At The Wapping Fair In South Windsor

NOTE: Student writers from The Bobcat Prowl, the student newspaper at South Windsor High School, periodically contribute feature stories to South Windsor Patch. This one was written by Maria Verly.

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — The first ever Wapping Fair was in 1892, with the main goal being to help fund the Wapping District School. After years of not having the fair, it had a comeback in 1945 to commemorate South Windsor’s 100th year anniversary.

But it was only in the late 1940s that the fair grew, and gained more popularity after becoming a part of the Wapping Church. During that time, the fair had two major events: a parade that had doodlebugs, and a contest for the best decorated bicycles and doll carriages. The other big event was the public supper served Friday evening in the community house.

"I also like that we can go with friends and family,” senior Nabila Alqadumi said.

Due to the increasing popularity, the Wapping Fair had to change locations in 1952. It was being held at the Hall Grove, but in the mid 1960s it moved to the Wapping Elementary School. Since the fair had become very popular, the Wapping Grange could no longer manage it alone, eventually joining forces with the South Windsor Jaycees.

In the late 1960s, South Windsor High School started using the Wapping School as an annex, forcing the fair to move locations to the Zagorski Park.

"It’s always fun going to the fair with my friends," junior Rhea Hossain said. "I love the food and going on the rides with my friends. It’s an experience that every South Windsor resident should be able to go to."

In the early 1970s, the Wapping Grange wanted to give up on the fair completely. The South Windsor Jaycees could not take care of the fair on their own, so they became partners with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s organization that helps in providing financial aid to members and their families. Their partnership only lasted two years; however, in 1976, the South Windsor Historical Commission wanted to work with the fair to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States.

South Windsor celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Wapping Fair in 1992. In 2017, the fair moved to its current location at the Fairground at Rye Street Park on Brookfield Street.

Loved by many people throughout its history, the Wapping Fair has maintained itself as an important part of South Windsor history, and its popularity shows no intention of leaving anytime soon.