The 101st Riverton Fair

RIVERTON— Hundreds of local residents and visitors flocked to Riverton this past weekend to enjoy the 101st annual Riverton Fair.

The fair opened Friday at 4 p.m. with a wide array of tasty treats, amusement rides and  judging of show animals and livestock, crafts, food, pumpkins, pies, paintings, floral displays and everything in between.

Friday’s events started off with judging of rabbits, and garden tractor pulls. Amusements were open from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday started off with wood chopping, sawing and axe throwing contests, continued with judging of various exhibits and a pulling contest of working oxen, live music courtesy of the Old Tyme Fiddlers and a pie-eating contest.

Sunday brought more wood chopping, sawing and axe throwing contests, judging of junior dairy livestock, live music by Dark Horse and Mad River Crossing and another pie-eating contest

Northwestern Regional High School’s chapter of FFA was on hand selling their own apple cider, apples, apple crisp and their famous maple syrup.

Forrest Russell, Brandon Steeves, Ashley Marshall and Jessie Brown represented the group Sunday.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to meet tons of different people and answer their questions about our organization and educate them on our causes and our program at school,� Russell said. “It’s fun. We all really enjoy this every year!�

Three generations of Riverton Fair vendors were on hand to display an array of fall and Halloween decorations and gifts.

Theresa Czcinski celebrated 60 years of participating in the Riverton Fair with her two daughters, Dawn Pinkowish and Carol Atwood, and her granddaughter, Amanda Atwood.

“This is my 60th year coming to the Riverton Fair to sell gifts and decorations from our shop,� Czcinski said. “My first year we were located outside of the barn, but that very first year it snowed the entire weekend and they moved my booth inside, and ever since then we’ve always occupied this same corner of the barn, growing more and more every year, we love coming back, its become a family affair, three generations.�

A lot has changed since the Riverton Fair’s first year in 1909.

“Everyone would dress up in their Sunday best to come out to the fair back then,� said Carol Atwood. “It was a huge deal and very special event to attend.�

Nancy Galpin of Barkhamsted showed her goats, Daisy and David, in the Riverton Fairground’s “barnyard,� which she said has a special meaning to her.

“My father, Don Jesperson, who passed away last year,  Charlie Holcomb and Bill Legeyt Sr. were the driving force behind the creation of the barnyard here at the fair,â€� she said. “Both my parents dedicated many years to volunteering at the fair. My mother, Ginny, volunteered in the canned goods barn, while my dad always spent his time in the barnyard, so I’m honored to decorate the barnyard this year as a tribute to his memory and legacy here at the fair.â€�

The 101st Riverton Fair wound down Sunday afternoon with a guest appearance by Scott Haney, who stopped by to announce the winners of the Duck Race Raffle. Haney donned a duck outfit to announce the winners.

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