Volume 19, Number 24
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
www.TownTimes.com
Friday, October 3, 2014
Politicians visit Durham Fair By Mark Dionne Town Times
Taking advantage of the large crowds and generally positive atmosphere, multiple politicians visited the 95th annual Durham Fair held over the weekend of Sept. 26-28. Both gubernatorial candidates, Gov. Dannel Malloy and Republican nominee Tom Foley stopped by the fair. “You’ve got a great day, and a great fair,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal in the Saturday afternoon heat and sunshine.
Other politicians at the fair over the weekend included U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, DeLauro’s opponent James Brown, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, and Ted Kennedy Jr., a candidate for the State Senate’s 12th district, representing part of Durham. Blumenthal, well-known for his experience at public events, said hello to everyone in his path, shook every extended hand, talked to anyone who wanted to speak with him, posed for photos whenever asked, and yet still
moved through the fair with remarkable speed. Former Durham First Selectman Jim McLaughlin escorted Blumenthal, who traveled with no aides of his own. According to McLaughlin, Blumenthal has always been loyal to local candidates. “He had a good time and got to see a lot of people he knew and some who wanted to meet him,” McLaughlin said. Most of the fair goers who met the senator simply said See Politicians / Page 19
FLYING HIGH AT THE FAIR
After circling the Durham Fair on Sept. 27, Senator Richard Blumenthal heads for the exit gates, accompanied by Jim McLaughlin of Durham. | Mark Dionne/Town Times
Durham Fair booths - sell out or stuck? By Mark Dionne Town Times
At the Durham Fair Talent Show on Saturday, Sept. 27, Alex Woznyk danced her way to a first prize with her high-flying, tumbling routine to the Disney Creulla de Vil song “I’m Gettin’ Good at Being Bad.” See more fair photos inside. | Mark Dionne/Town Times
Many civic groups, like church and school groups, athletic booster clubs, fire departments, Exchange and Elk organizations, and town political parties, run booths at the Durham Fair to raise funds. For some, Durham Fair sales represent a large percentage of their annual fundraising. Many of these locally-based organizations face a decision when planning to run their fair booths: Stock up on food items and risk being stuck with potentially costly excess inventory or go short and risk selling out early and losing sales. Outside of planning meetings, Sunday afternoon at the Durham Fair is the best time to witness the dilemma. After three days of sunshine and a Thursday that
Many Durham Fair booths, like the one run by the Middlefield Lions, removed items from their offerings as they sold out on Sunday afternoon. | Mark Dionne/Town Times
was not entirely a washout, many volunteers were crossing items off their menus or even shuttering their windows while others were scrambling to unload stock. See Booths / Page 18