Fairhaven Homecoming Day Fair: A 122-Year-Old Tradition

Fairhaven's Homecoming Day Fair is a tradition that dates back to 1903. This year's fair will take place on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the streets and grounds surrounding the Fairhaven Town Hall. The event is free to attend.

The Fairhaven Improvement Association sponsors the event and is promising a vibrant celebration. Homecoming Day Chair Barbara Acksen joined Townsquare Sunday to give us some history about the fair and share some highlights of this year's event.

"The first fair in Fairhaven happened in 1903," Acksen said. "It was called the Old Home Fair and was very expansive. It lasted for six days!"

Acksen said the first fair featured prayer services, a march of tradesmen, baseball games, steamboat rides, concerts, vendors and an art show. Some of those events are still part of the Homecoming Day Fair today.

This year's fair will welcome around 170 vendors, including 25 food vendors, crafts people and artists. There will be an enlarged art show featuring paintings and sculpture, plus live music throughout the day outside the Town Hall. Performers include Scott Parker, Jeff Angeley and Pebbles of Rain, Sharon Jenson and students and Pumpkin Head Ted.

"People love this event, it's like Fairhaven Christmas," Acksen said. "Everyone looks forward to attending and getting together. We have a small but mighty committee that works on Homecoming Day, and we're relieved when the weather is good and people tell us they're having a great time."

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