The Children's Fair (a Harvest Fair in the old days held later in the summer or fall) was good example of 'local' charity to help the less fortunate, rather than having our $ go to Washington and hoping some of it comes back to the us. If you read old town reports, you'll find that the town had a budget for the poor and an 'Overseer of the Poor'. Willmore Ashley and Walter Thayer and others held that office. There was also a Poor Farm at one time. It was voluntary and one could ask for funds or work on the Poor farm, The Churches in addition also helped the poor. On occasion the Town Board would forgive the $2 poll tax for those that couldn't pay. I have not been a resident of New Ipswich for 57 years. I'm guessing the present Children's Fair is more a social event rather than a charitable event.
The Children's Fair (a Harvest Fair in the old days held later in the summer or fall) was good example of 'local' charity to help the less fortunate, rather than having our $ go to Washington and hoping some of it comes back to the us. If you read old town reports, you'll find that the town had a budget for the poor and an 'Overseer of the Poor'. Willmore Ashley and Walter Thayer and others held that office. There was also a Poor Farm at one time. It was voluntary and one could ask for funds or work on the Poor farm, The Churches in addition also helped the poor. On occasion the Town Board would forgive the $2 poll tax for those that couldn't pay. I have not been a resident of New Ipswich for 57 years. I'm guessing the present Children's Fair is more a social event rather than a charitable event.
Proceeds are used to help children's programs, so it is still a charitable event.