Last Sunday, I arrived to the Codman Fair -
Signs crafted by our Farmer’s Helper program dotted the fairgrounds
- as board members and volunteers bustled around the parking lot and main field, putting on the last touches. Hard at work since eight in the morning, the group had transformed the Codman parking lot into a fairground, complete with tables for selling food, a craft-fair section, a wagon loaded with hay for hay rides, and all kinds of games laid out in the front pasture.The Reasons to be Cheerful Chillwagon, a vintage ice-cream truck, completed the festival atmosphere created by home-made decorations, a sizzling grill, and the buzz of people setting up for the day.
As the fair opened, crowds of people appeared - young, old, with kids and without. The sounds of laughter and good conversation filled the air, bubbling over the folk music drifting across the farmyard. The entire fair had a relaxed feeling to it, like everyone knew this was a time when they could stop for a moment, eat some good food from the farm, and let the kids run free. The adult games, especially the skillet toss, were reportedly a hit. I missed them because I was busy giving a spoon carving demonstration with my hatchet. Our crafter’s row was also popular, and throughout the day people wandered by and stopped to enjoy watching the artisans, like Erica Hood and Caroline McCall, working at their crafts.
People just seemed happy to relax and enjoy the farm, and to me, the day was a huge success. What a gift for us to all get to spend a day outdoors, connecting with our friends and neighbors, and laughing together.
It seemed like everyone ended the day tired but reinvigorated and renewed. That’s so important as the daylight dwindles and the nights get longer during this part of the year. I’m reminded by this event why I care so much about forging a deep connection to place and people.
Our growing season is winding down, and we’re looking forward to the pause, and then to jump into planning for next year’s Fair. If you’re interested in helping, or have feedback and ideas about the Fair, send me a note at jon@codmanfarm.org. Thanks to all of our hard working volunteers, wonderful artisans and tablers, and to everyone who attended. We’re lucky to live among people willing to come together to celebrate our farm and community, and to enjoy some simple, slow, old-fashioned fun.
While other farms and farmer’s markets close down, our little Farm Store stays open through the depths of winter, stocked with our own pasture-raised meats and eggs, as well as local produce and storage crops, locally produced artisanal goods, and warm, fresh from the oven bread on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Stop by anytime - we’ll see you there.
Until then,
Jon