Brightest and best at 2011 ag fair

Cornwall — Nice weather helped the popular Cornwall Agricultural Fair, held this year on Saturday, Sept. 10, draw people from all over the region. In addition to Cornwallians, there were people from Sharon, Falls Village, Goshen, New Hartford, Fairfield, N.H., New York City and elsewhere. Attendees included all ages, from infants in parent’s arms to senior citizens.The mood at the fair was light, upbeat and dedicated to enjoying the many things Cornwall offers. It was truly a representation of the town’s active agricultural and business communities. The Saturday morning farm market temporarily relocated to the town Green to become part of the fair. The merchants, who usually set up shop in West Cornwall on Saturday mornings, gathered at the Agricultural Fair instead. Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway was selling organic vegetables from his farm. Nick Jacobs, the local knife expert and sharpener, was busy honing treasured knives for home chefs. Rhonda Jaacks of Harlequin Farm Finnsheep gave wool spinning demonstrations. Vendors offerd fresh baked goods, jams, cheeses, meats, eggs and other locally grown and produced edibles.There were activities for everyone who attended. An old-fashioned farm wagon, filled with hay and pulled by a large farm tractor, offered hay rides that people of all ages enjoyed. Many young people seemed delighted at having their faces painted.A hay jump attracted youngsters of all ages to the middle of the Green. Several local nonprofit organizations sold products as fundraisers. Craftspeople had their handiwork for sale.The new Cornwall General Store in Cornwall Bridge was on hand, with all kinds of foods for lunch. Fresh cooked corn was also available.A temporary stable with rabbits, llamas, cows, sheep and donkeys proved a popular petting zoo. Many youngsters got down on the ground and cuddled with the cows. The Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department’s state-of-the-art ambulance was on display, with visitors encouraged to look inside.A seemingly contented sow rested inside a trailer while her piglets enjoyed a meal.

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