May Fair
May Fair Weekend is Here!
GatherED in joy for 77 years
TONIGHT
Friday Night Lights - May 8
Rides Open 5-10PM
White Elephant Toy & Outdoor/Sporting Goods Tent Open 5:30-7:30 PM
Food Court Open 5-8 PM
TOMORROW
May Fair Saturday - May 9
White Elephant Tag Sale Open 9AM-3PM
Food Court Open 10:30AM-3PM
*See below for all May Fair event details*
Calling all Volunteers! Make friends. Have fun. Do good.
Help is still needed at May Fair and days following for restoration. There is a place for you! Click the button below to sign up. Any questions in the meantime? E-mail us. Thank you!
White Elephant Tag Sale
White Elephant Donations
*Donate jewelry year round in the Church Office:
Mon-Fri 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Donation Days
Saturday, May 2: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Sunday, May 3: 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Monday, May 4: 9:30AM – 4:00PM
Tuesday, May 5: 9:30AM – 4:00PM
Check this list for donation guidelines.
Have something to donate that can’t wait, or need a pick-up? Just fill out this form and email it with photos.
Your donations power May Fair’s fantastic White Elephant tag sale – thank you! Help us make the biggest impact by donating items in good condition that we can sell. We pay to dispose of anything that is left over. We cannot accept items that are broken, rusted, have missing parts, or are unlikely, unhealthy, or unsafe to sell. Please review this list for details by area.
All donations to St. Mark’s White Elephant Tag Sale are tax deductible. Donation form available upon request.
White Elephant Pre-Sale Party!
Thursday, May 7 | 5:00-7:30PM
SOLD OUT EVENT!
Thank you for your support of this annual event! We are sold out and and the wait list is full for 2026.
Our first-ever Silent Auction was a great success! It is now closed. Thank you for your support and incredible donations to this event.
See you in 2027!
Hours of Operation
Friday Night Lights, May 8
GetAbout Shuttle Van Service: 4:30-10:30PM (Lumberyard Lot by Train Station)
Midway Rides: 5-10PM *Weather Permitting*
Food Court: 5-8PM
The Original Strawberry Festival’s Shortcake & Ice Cream: 5PM-until sold out!
Face Painting: 5-10PM
Saturday May Fair, May 9
GetAbout Shuttle Van Service: 8:30AM-6:30PM (Lumberyard Lot by Train Station)
Midway Rides: 9AM-6PM *Weather Permitting*
White Elephant & All Other Venues: 9AM-3PM
Food Court: 10:30AM-3PM (while supplies last)
The Original Strawberry Festival’s Shortcake & Ice Cream: 10AM-until sold out!
NEW Calm & Care Kids’ Reset Space hosted by Inclusive Together: 9AM-6PM
Face Painting: 9AM-6PM
Old Faithful Antique Fire Engine Rides: 10AM-1PM
Live Entertainment:
11:30AM – New Canaan’s Town Band
12:30PM – Pivot Ministries Choir
1:30PM – May Fair Dog Show
Tickets & Wristbands for Carnival Rides
Friday Night wristbands are $35 per bracelet. Bracelets are valid for Friday only with access to all Midway Rides.
Saturday Tickets (sold only on Saturday) are $1.50 each. 22 tickets for $30, 48 tickets for $60. Rides require 2-4 tickets per ride.
Cash and credit cards are accepted and ATMs are available on site.
May Fair Dog Show - Register Today
Calling all families and their furry friends! The May Fair Dog Show is a fun family event that celebrates our love for animals and the joy they bring us. This live event will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 1:30PM on the plaza area in front of the entrance of St. Mark’s Church. Families will present their dog to the announcer and walk around the plaza for audience members to view. Then, they will compete and complete a short course that only requires walking. Tricks and costumes are welcomed and encouraged! Spots are limited, please register today. We look forward to meeting your sweet pets. Click here to register.
NEW Calm & Care Kids' Reset Area
We’ve created a new area we’re calling “The Calm & Care Space”—a peaceful, welcoming place where children can take a break, reset, and recharge before heading back out to enjoy all the fun. Whether it’s a moment to pause, regroup, or just have a little quiet, this space is here for any child who might need it.
The Calm & Care Space will be located in the Food Pantry at St. Mark’s, a tucked-away, comfortable space on campus. We’re especially grateful to New Canaan’s own Lauren Tarzia and her company, Inclusive Together, who will be there throughout the day helping to guide and support those children (and their parents) who may be a little overwhelmed, overstimulated, or just need a moment to reset.
And for a little extra joy—kids can help create our new St. Mark’s May Fair 2026 friendship bracelets, (inspired by Taylor Swift of course), adding their names or initials as a fun keepsake from the day.
Our hope is simple: that every child feels comfortable, included, and able to experience the joy of May Fair in their own way.
From Chair John Kennedy, Jr:
Dear Friends,
Just a short time until May Fair 2026! It’s not too soon to begin to think about how we can all make this year’s May Fair enjoyable and successful for both volunteers and visitors. St. Mark’s May Fair is a joyful, community-wide tradition that reflects our town and people. There are many ways for all ages and talents to contribute. Consider these few ways that you can play a part and contribute:
• Volunteer your time. Our volunteer sign up link is live. Your involvement can run from as little as 3 hours to as much as you care to be with us! Click the button above to sign up. Any questions? E-mail us.
• Start now to set aside items to donate to White Elephant Tag Sale – jewelry, artwork, collectibles, unique books, furniture, rugs, lighting, Christmas items, and more. Click the donation guidelines link above.
• Suggest a local business you would be willing to approach to see if they would enjoy becoming a Fair sponsor. Opportunities range from $800-$1,500.
After two years as chair my biggest takeaway is that all those who volunteer develop a special bond – one that I believe helps knit our St. Mark’s community together so that we are more able to be there for each other and for others in need outside our parish throughout the year. Our theme: Gathered in Joy!
I hope you will feel the same after May Fair 2026.
Any early questions can be directed to me through the church office. Our entire committee wishes you and your families a healthy and blessed 2026!
Sincerely,
John Kennedy, May Fair Chair
May Fair Executive Committee: Gaby Beecher, Zackary Crawford, Teri Flynn, Deb Luchs, Scot Melland, Zibby Perkins, Peter Ryan, John Seel, Cynnie Thunem, Mason Wells
May Fair
Enjoy many May Fair memories.
John Kennedy announced as new May Fair Chair
A Modern May Fair Volunteer (Parody of “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General”)
Eric Thunem | What is May Fair and Why Volunteer?
