62 Years of May Fair

62 Extraordinary Years of May Fair Continues!

Once every year, hundreds of volunteers come together to make the miracle of May Fair a reality.  This year on May 7th, St. Mark’s will put on its 62nd annual May Fair & Strawberry Festival - the biggest one day fair in  Connecticut - drawing thousands from New Canaan and beyond to celebrate a sense of community, have fun, score some great merchandise and raise money for charity.  For six decades this fair has been a town-wide event but it’s only in recent years that the numbers have become staggering.  Nearly 600 volunteers, many of whom are not parishioners but are “May Fair people” year in and year out, work for months beforehand and in a frenzy the week of the event, to pull off the amazing day.  Over $220,000 was raised last year- 5% more than last year - meaning that, after expenses, over $100,000 will go to St. Mark’s Outreach Commission to fund non-profit causes at home and afar.

There were many new ventures last year.  For the first time ever the fair ran until 7 pm and to accommodate those tuckered-out fairgoers, we offered home cooked specialty foods to go, including brisket, whole chickens, corn and more.  A focus on quality plus the option of home delivery doubled the gross sales for furniture this year.  We also inaugurated use of strategic partnerships to augment services; Habitat for Humanity took over parcel check, St. Mark’s Nursery School reinvented the face painting booth adding all kinds of extras like tattoos, hair beading and other modes of fashion statement for the littlest guests.  Pivot Ministries not only managed setup, but also performed with its choir to an enthusiastic audience.  And the Boy Scouts  took responsibility for tear down and clean up.