Reminiscences of Children's Fair (Page 30-31)
Description of activities on Church Grounds
Records and Reminiscences of Children’s Fair
“Seeking to make idle hours useful hours, I have written it in my old age Please accept my old RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES.” - C. H. Obear - July 8, 1911
Pictures ( Pages 30 - 31)
A description of church grounds on Fair day in 1887
Groups of little folks are scattered all over the Common arranging games like "Round the ring in Uncle Johnnie's garden "Here I bake and here. brew," or "Wash the ladies' den," dishes," those old-fashioned games we old folks played in our childhood in the "long ago."
Some children, somewhat older, are beginning to have a circle formed to play "Drop the handkerchief," and those landed from the teams swell their numbers, seeking those of their own age.
For the boys and the people who want to be out-of-doors and have no duties in the house, one of the attractions of Children's Fair is a lively game of baseball with competitors other than those from their own schools, and lookers-on, to cheer their success.
The older boys value highly the smiles of the older sisters, who nod approval and wave their handkerchiefs. Now that women have their rights, I think the girls join in the cheers and wouldn't think it improper to join in the game, though I have not seen it at Children's Fair. One more picture from the picture gallery of memory if you are not tired, or if I have failed in its transfer to your mind's eye.
On entering the large vestibule of the old church, the green baize doors that open upstairs are closed this morning. Late comers are bringing in the things to be tagged with a number and put on to the book of the appointed clerk of the auction, and the door-keeper takes the ten cents of those who are not donors to the fair, and those who are, call his attention to what they have brought, and pass in. What an animated scene is before us! As you stand inside the hall door, at your left, on the west side is stretched a long, wide table, fast receiving the varied contributions sent in from the vestibule. At the south end of this table is one of the two furnaces that supply the warmth for the auditorium and singer's gallery above.
Interior view of old Congregational Church
It would have been interesting to see where the staging area was located in the church as described by Mrs. Obear. This photo was taken inside at the 150th town celebration.
James Roger diary entry
30th July 1913
Fair and warm; wind variable; thunder showers about noon; a good deal of thunder last night. David cutting grass at Barretts’ and Miss Taylor's. I cut 10 lots in cemetery. Sale of work in church today. Supper at 8.
Upcoming Event
163rd Children’s Fair - August 17, 2024
New Ipswich Congregational Church
150 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH
10 AM - 3 PM
I found Obear's reminiscences of the fair interesting. It says a lot about the character and generosity of New Ipswich's residents. I'm assuming that still holds true today although I've been away for 57 years, but I have attended many Children's Fairs since then.