Street fair returns for 67th year

The First Congregational Church of Westminster grounds will be chockablock with flea market bargains, strawberry shortcake, silent auction items, children's activities, live entertainment, and more during the 67th annual Yankee Street Fair on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The fair has always supported the church and our community, and this year, part of our proceeds will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity project in Westminster," said the Rev. Robert Duebber.

The Yankee Street Fair was first held on Aug. 20, 1941, to raise money to rebuild the church, that was completely destroyed by a fire on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1940. The Fair has been held annual expect for in 1945 and 1946 because of the Second World War. Porter Dawley, the current holder of Westminster's Boston Post Cane, was a member of the inaugural fair's planning committee.

This year, the fair will feature a variety of live entertainment: Mugawump will started about 9:15 a.m.; Beatles for Sale will rock the lunchtime crowd starting around 11:15 a.m.; and First Church member Jeff Root will jam in the afternoon beginning around 1:30 p.m. DJ Brian Butler will play intermittently throughout the day.

Children are sure to have fun playing games and going in the Choo Choo Jump and Slide. Everyone will have a chance to enjoy fresh baked goods, strawberry shortcake, snow cones, grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, kapusta, and fresh produce sold at the Harvest Booth throughout the day.

Fair-goers will be able to browse the very popular bargain tent, book sale, and thrift store, bid on silent auction items (including pro-sports tickets), and enter to win great ticket-auction items. Ticket holders will not have to be present to win. New to the fairgrounds will be Westminster Police and Fire equipment demonstrations and a Westminster's 250th Anniversary memorabilia table.

Since the fair's inception, fair planning committees have opted to change things to reflect the times. This year, the fair has been condensed to seven hours to accommodate fair-goers' busy schedules.

Since 1972, the different initiatives and organizations have received 10 percent of the proceeds and those include trees for Academy Hill; an underwater survival suit for the Westminster Fire Department; the Westminster Elementary School library; and the Westminster Senior Center.