May Fair
That’s a Wrap on May Fair 2026!
Thank You for Gathering in Joy With Us
Mark your calendars!
Next year's May Fair Weekend
May 6-8, 2027
Thank you to the extraordinary community-wide participation of local services and organizations and to the 500+ volunteers who contributed to the success of this annual weekend event. We are deeply grateful of your time, energy, and commitment.
Boy Scout Troop 70
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Future 5
GetAbout New Canaan
Inclusive Together
May Fair Dog Show
New Canaan High School Service League of Boys (SLOBs)
New Canaan Human Services
New Canaan Police Department
New Canaan’s Town Band
Old Faithful Antique Fire Engine
Pivot Ministries & Pivot Ministries Choir
Planet New Canaan
Thank you to our generous support of our community business leaders. We are proud to recognize their corporate sponsorships.
Platinum Sponsors
Karl Chevrolet
Walter Stewart’s Market
Bankwell
The Hetherington Group of Merrill Lynch
Gold Sponsors
M&T Bank
Silver Sponsors
Pet Pantry Warehouse – sponsor of the May Fair Dog Show
Pennyweights
Franco’s Wine Merchants – sponsor of the White Elephant Pre-Sale Party
Longfield Farm
NewCanaanite
New Canaan Sentinel
Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee
Bronze Sponsor
Connecticut GI – sponsor of EMT Tent
White Elephant Tag Sale
White Elephant Donations
We accept donated jewelry year round in the Church Office:
Mon-Fri 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Donation Days 2027
To be announced.
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!
Our first-ever Silent Auction was a great success. Thank you for your support and incredible donations to this event.
See you in 2027!
Hours of Operation 2026
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 2026
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.
Letter from Chair John Kennedy, Jr:
Dear Friends,
Thank You, New Canaan Community!
On behalf of everyone at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the May Fair Executive Committee, thank you for your continued support of May Fair. This year’s theme, “Gathered in Joy,” truly reflected the spirit of the weekend. For 77 years, May Fair has been a celebration of connection, generosity, and shared community spirit, and this year was no exception.
Thousands of visitors enjoyed the festive atmosphere featuring more than 20 amusement rides, the infamous White Elephant Tag Sale, the renowned Holy Smokers BBQ, the Original Strawberry Shortcake, live entertainment, face painting, and countless other family-friendly activities throughout Friday Night Lights and Saturday’s May Fair festivities.
We were especially proud to introduce the new Calm and Care Kids’ Reset Space hosted by Inclusive Together, helping ensure that children and families of all abilities could experience the joy of the event in a welcoming and supportive environment.
May Fair’s success is only possible because of extraordinary community-wide participation. More than 500 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to preparing and running the event, alongside the invaluable support of the many service organizations. Together, these partnerships help make May Fair not only a cherished community tradition, but also a meaningful fundraiser supporting St. Mark’s ministries and grants to nonprofits serving those in need.
We look forward to seeing you again next May Fair Weekend — May 6–8, 2027.
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, and 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?
