Font ResizeGUILFORD -- A classic-car show and a Sweet Pond fund-raiser are among the new additions at this year's Guilford Fair.
And organizers of the popular fair -- scheduled for Sunday and Monday -- are hoping for better weather than last year, when Tropical Storm Irene and subsequent storms drenched the area.
"We actually got more water here on Labor Day weekend than we did during Irene," said David Franklin, president of the Guilford Fair Association.
At this point, the forecast is relatively dry for this year's fair. The event actually kicks off Saturday: Though there is not a full slate of activities that day, there will be music from 1 to 3 p.m. along with exhibit registration at Fitch Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those exhibits open at 9 a.m. Sunday, followed by a day of programming including farm-horse and sheep-shearing demonstrations, a performance by New England Center for Circus Arts, bingo and games, an ice-cream-eating contest and a fire-department muster.
Sunday also features a classic-car show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That's a new feature for the fair.
The show is a late addition that is being advertised only by "word of mouth," said Penny Marine, an association member.
"We wanted to bring something new to the fair," Marine said.
Organizers are asking those who wish to participate in the car show to enter through the fair's north gate. They'll get two free admissions to the fair along with
The show also will feature a "peoples' choice" award.
Monday's highlights include a horse show, a chain saw artist, cattle show and livestock judging.
"We've moved the horse pull around the corner to a brand-new facility with lots of seating," Franklin said.
Also on Monday, Miss Vermont Chelsea Ingram is scheduled to make an appearance.
Both days will include a chicken barbecue from Guilford Volunteer Fire Department and a raffle for a child's bike donated by D&L Amusements.
The fair's musical lineup includes Residential Jazz Band, The Howling Kettles, Three Way Street and Electric Fence on Sunday. On Monday, there will be performances by Nate and Trevor Paine, Corki and Ken, Stockwell Brothers and Brattlyn Brothers.
Complete musical and event schedules are available at http://guilfordfairvt.com.
The fair draws at least 4,000 people on average, organizers estimated. Hoping to take advantage of that large gathering are supporters of Guilford's Sweet Pond recreational area.
State officials drained the pond last year due to concerns about its deteriorating dam. But the state now favors a rehabilitation plan for the dam, and a local fund-raising effort is under way to support that cause.
A volunteer Sweet Pond steering committee will staff a booth at the fair, said Linda Hecker, committee co-chairwoman.
"It's going to have information about Sweet Pond and a donation jar," Hecker said, adding that there will be T-shirts and benefit-concert tickets for sale.
On Monday, for those who would like to bike to the fair, a group of people will be meeting at The Works on Main Street in Brattleboro at 9:30 a.m. Riders will leave at 10 a.m., travel Route 142 to Broad Brook Road, Guilford Center Road and then Weatherhead Hollow Road, about eight miles in all. Time of departure is up to participants.
The ride is family friendly, but the organizers ask that you RSVP to Dave at 802-258-7013.
Mike Faher can be reached at mfaher@reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 275.
