31st Apple Country Fair to be celebrated Oct. 10

Showcasing the work of more than 70 local crafters, the 31st Apple Country Fair will be held on the Brookfield Town Common, Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fair also will feature live music, children’s games, baked goods, raffles and an apple pie contest — all to benefit the Brookfield Community Club, a charitable organization that makes grants to enrich community life.

Fairgoers can browse and buy hand-knit sweaters and blankets, carved wooden bowls and décor, beaded jewelry, specialty soaps and lotions, hand-crafted toys, locally-produced honey and more. A partial directory of crafters appears on the Fair Web site: www.applecountryfair.com.

New to the Fair this year, the Master Plan Committee will sponsor a dunk booth, offering locals the opportunity to drench their favorite town politicians and figures all for a good cause. Local authors Rita Schiano and Ellie Kraner will be on hand to sign copies of their books.

Children will enjoy games and prizes, face-painting, sand art and a moon bounce. The guild of Masons in North Brookfield will offer concessions throughout the day. The bake table will tempt with homemade fudge, candied apples, applesauce, cookies, brownies and, of course, pie.

A raffle will offer chances to win prizes including the community-stitched quilt, family passes to local museums and attractions, a portrait photography session, and gift certificates to local restaurants and stores. Tickets will be available at the Fair and are on sale now at the Merrick Public Library and from Community Club members. Entries for the apple pie contest will be accepted at Town Hall until 10:15 a.m. the day of the Fair. Judging categories are for children under 12, ages 13-19, and adults ages 20 and older.

Volunteers are still needed to bake and help with the raffle and children’s games. To volunteer, please call 508-867-9553 or sign up at the Merrick Public Library.
In case of rain, the Apple Country Fair will be held in Brookfield Elementary School, 37 Central St.

The Brookfield Community Club has been organizing the Apple Country Fair since 1979. The money raised at the Apple Country Fair has paid for the Brookfield Elementary School's sixth grade class to attend a environmental program at Camp Bournedale on Cape Cod and generated grant money for a number of community service projects, from the town's monthly newsletter, the Brookfield Citizen, to holiday programs for Brookfield seniors. For more information, please visit www.applecountryfair.com.

The fair is held rain or shine. Should storms threaten, the fair will set up inside Brookfield Elementary School, 37 Central St.