Fair back for 56th year

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Heather Echevarria, left, and Donna Sagendorf, both of Naugatuck, serve up an order of homemade peach shortcake in St. Michael’s Church in Naugatuck last year during the church’s 55th Annual Village Green Fair. The shortcake has been a staple at the two-day fair on the Green since it started. -FILE PHOTO
Heather Echevarria, left, and Donna Sagendorf, both of Naugatuck, serve up an order of homemade peach shortcake in St. Michael’s Church in Naugatuck last year during the church’s 55th Annual Village Green Fair. The shortcake has been a staple at the two-day fair on the Green since it started. -FILE PHOTO

NAUGATUCK — St. Michael’s Church is primed for its annual fair.

St. Michael’s Church 56th Annual Village Green Fair is set for this weekend. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sept. 11 and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sept. 12 on the town Green.

“It’s a family-friendly event,” said Kimberly Rossi, who handles advertising for the fair. “When you go to most fairs and festivals they tend to be expensive. One of the reasons we have been so successful over the years is that our festival is affordable.”

The fair will feature a wide variety of activities, including a bounce house, a children’s toy tent, and train rides, which will be pulled by a tractor, Rossi said. A caricature artist will be at the fair both days and Sparkles the Clown will be at the fair on Saturday.

There will be events to keep adults interested as well, including a tag sale tent and a book tent, Rossi said. There will also be an auction taking place throughout the day on Saturday.

The band Overboard will perform live Sept. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Rossi said there will be a wide variety of food available at the fair, as well, including the fair’s famous peach shortcake.

“Our peach shortcake is a huge hit. It’s a tradition. People come from all around for it,” Rossi said.

The fair will also feature freshly smoked pulled pork, chili, baked potatoes, fried dough and homemade donuts.

The fair is the largest fundraiser for the church. Rossi said the money raised is used to support the Naugatuck Ecumenical Outreach Network, family move nights, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to help host the church’s free dinners.

“The money we take in is put back out to the community,” Rossi said.

Rossi said the Village Green Fair will have something for people of all ages.

“There’s a lot to do for everybody. There are people in their 80s who come and people watch. There are people who come with kids who can’t go to the big fairs because they are too expensive,” Rossi said.