A Re-Imagining of the Norfield Fair

(Editor's note: The following is a press release sent by Susan Ingall.)

The recently announced the first ever Day of Service: The Norfield Giving Fair, combining the best elements of the traditional Fair with a desire to serve the larger community around us. It's designed to be an inclusive event forNorfielders, and all those interested from Weston and neighboring towns.

This event will offer a chance for Westonites and others to participate in meaningful service opportunities on June 16, and then to celebrate at Norfield that evening, withfood, music and neighbors. 

History

The very first Norfield Fair was held in 1902 to raise people's spirits in difficult times: 

"The 1899 recession was lingering on…jobs were disappearing and so were smiles. Itw as time to bring folks together to revive flagging spirits. A tradition of buildingspirit together was underway with a Strawberry Festival.” — Stories from Norfield's First 250 years by Jack Light

This year marks the 111th Fair and for all of those years, one thing has been constant—every year without fail, the fair has been about bringing people together. People have come to Norfield on that day to work and play together—all so that they can help each other in some way.

Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein said she loves the service opportunities that this fair presents.

"The Norfield Giving Fair is a wonderful idea," she said. "It reminds us of the spirit and values of service that mean so much to all of us in Weston. It is so nice to see Norfield Church's long tradition of giving renewed in this way. I look forward to being a part of it on June 16."

Day of Service: Calling all those who would like to take part

The Norfield Giving Fair will combine all of the fair's best elements with a focus on serving. Specifically, Norfielders and neighbors—young and old—are being asked to form service teams (and if people don’t have teams, they will be matched with others). Service teams will be doing their volunteer work at the following non-profitorganizations:

• Bridgeport Rescue Mission
• CLASP Homes
• Aspetuck Land Trust
• Habitat for Humanity
• Homes with Hope 
• KEYS 
• Family ReEntry 
• IIConn 
• Weston Warm-UpFund 
• DOMUS
• Open Door Shelter
• George Washington Carver Center 
• Weston Social Services

They may serve in any one of the following service areas:

• Feeding the Hungry
• Hands on Help/Heavy Lifting
• Youth Projects
• Prison Related Projects
• Oral History of Weston
• Music Mentoring
• Environmentally Green
• Weston Service

As part of the event, each service team will create an online pledging page, soliciting donations from family and friends for their day of service. Monies raised will go to numerous beneficiaries. 

Run of the Day

The day will start at 7:30 a.m. with a Strawberry Breakfast at Norfield. Teams will check in, have a bite, and at 8:30 will gather and teams will meet with their liaison to learn more about their service project. At 9 a.m., the teams will set off to serve at their predesignated project sites.

Teams will serve either in the morning or afternoon or both. These service projects have been designed specifically to allow each team to work side by side with the beneficiary so as to ensure a meaningful experience and exchange of fellowship for all.

Evening of Celebration

In the evening all will come together to celebrate the day and Norfield Church will say “thank you”. All are invited.

The evening will start with a picnic dinner on the lawn of Norfield at 6 p.m. Guests will bring their picnic blankets and are welcome to a BBQ dinner hosted by Norfield, or are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner. Keeping with the strawberry theme, strawberry shortcake will be served to all. At 8 p.m. guests will be treated to a musical feast with the sizzling sounds of St. Luke’s Steel Band, a musical group based in New Haven. Finally, the evening will be capped off with a slide show of the day’s activities.

Rev. Dr. Bernard Wilson said he is delighted with the “re-imagining” of the faie.

“Westonites, Norfielders and beneficiaries from a broad section of the wider community are coming together to make Norfield's 111th Annual Fair an event not to be missed," he said. "What Norfield is doing in our Re-imagined Fair ... is to help make the Gospel come alive in a real and tangible way.”

As it has been for over a century, this will be a day of fun, spirit, fellowship, and mostimportant, giving.

Taffy Miller, Chair of Norfield’s Board of Outreach explains: “This is a unique opportunity to give a little and learn a lot about people from all walks of life. Amazingly, the answers to many of our community problems come when we truly listen to those we intend to serve. It’s going to be a great experience.”

For general questions, contact Taffy (Stephanie) Miller, Chair, Board of Outreach at tafmiller@mac.com. If you are interested in serving on a team, contact Pierre Ratte, Team Recruitment Leader at pjratte@mac.com.

For registration and questions, visit the website.