The Island Fair Committee announces a Fall Fun Day!

While we aren’t able to host the Island Fair in Tom Nevers this year, we want to keep the spirit of the Island Fair alive with some Fall Fun on Saturday, October 2nd , 2021, in conjunction with Sustainable Nantucket’s Farmers & Artisans Market in Town. The Island Fair Committee will be partnering with the Nantucket Atheneum, Nantucket Historical Association, NISHA, Maria Mitchell Association, American Legion, Artists Association of Nantucket, and Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce to provide a selection of the activities traditionally found at the Island Fair.

We will have our “Gertrude’s Farm Stand” showcase of locally home-grown vegetables, fruits, and preserved foods from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm adjacent to the Sustainable Nantucket Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market on the North Union St platform, which is generously shared with us by The Gaslight. A Scavenger Hunt list will be available for pickup at the Farm Stand. We’ve invited a few selected feathered and hoofed friends to make an appearance at the Market, but we will not be holding the public livestock competition this year.

The Island Fair Committee will set up some games for kids in the garden at the Nantucket Atheneum, including a Pumpkin Ring Toss to win a small pumpkin to decorate and take home. Garden entry is $5.00 per person or $10 per family, with a timed entry system to control the number of people in the garden. (Ticket & schedule information will be posted soon.) Both newly designed and classic Island Fair t-shirts will be on sale at the ticket table.

The Atheneum will also host entertainment on the Weezie Library porch during the Market hours.

The Nantucket Historical Association will offer free pumpkin decorating in the side yard of the Whaling Museum on North Water St. Bring your own pumpkin or win one at the Ring Toss! There will also be souvenir bags of cornmeal ground at The Old Mill available for sale.

NISHA will bring back their dog show, which will take place from 1-2 pm at the Maria Mitchell Association property at 33 Washington St.

The American Legion will be selling lunch beginning at 11 am at their Hall at 21 Washington St.

The Artists Association of Nantucket will have a grab bag art project for pick up alongside their gallery at 19 Washington Street.

The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging downtown stores to decorate their storefronts with fallthemed displays by September 30th as part of their ‘Cobblestones & Cranberries’ contest to add to the festive atmosphere. Scarecrows will be placed around Town by the Island Fair Committee as well.

Volunteers are needed for the setup and cleanup, to help with the activities, and to staff the t-shirt & ticket sales booth. Volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated. Contest entry details, ticket procedures, performance schedules, additional information and the link to sign up as a volunteer will be posted on the Fair’s website www.nantucketislandfair.com and Facebook & Instagram pages @nantucketislandfair #nantucketislandfair. People may also call Suzanne Cummings at 781-799-9729 to sign up to volunteer.

WEATHER: All events will be cancelled if Sustainable Nantucket cancels the Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market due to inclement weather.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: All activities are outdoors, but the Island Fair Committee encourages everyone to behave respectfully and follow any rules or guidelines that the hosting organizations and the Town of Nantucket have in place at the time of the event.

PARKING: There will be no parking spaces provided for the event and we encourage the use of public transportation or other alternatives to driving. NRTA buses stop at the Park and Ride lots at 27 Fairgrounds Rd and 44 Surfside Rd. https://nrtawave.com/park-and-ride-lots-2019/

RESTROOMS: The public restrooms at the Visitor’s Service Center will be available.

For questions email nantucketislandfair@gmail.com