The Conklin Fair is back for its 52nd year - and to reward those who have stuck with us, Saturday is Community Day with unlimited Midway rides with a $25 bracelet all day to ease lines. 

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The idea of a town fair originated with the Conklin Kiwanis Club.  The club staged the first Conklin Fair in 1972.  It was a huge success and it was decided to be continued as an annual event.  After a great deal of study on the subject the club decided that the event was so big that it required the participation of more than one organization.  In 1973 the club was instrumental in forming the Conklin Community Corp (CCC) a legal corporation that staged the Fair for many years.  The CCC disolved after staging the 1996 Fair.

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Over the first twenty five years numerous people stepped forward to work within the CCC organization to plan and carry out the Fair by serving as an officer, member of the board of directors, member representative or volunteer.  One of those people was Paul Preston.  When the CCC disbanded, Paul saved the Fair by forming a new committee that worked with the town to stage the Fair.  The town's involvement became impractical in 2005 and the Conklin Fair Committee, Inc. (CFC) was established.  The Fair prospered under Paul's leadership until he stepped down from the CFC prior to the 2013 Fair.

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A new slate of officers and committee members stepped forward in 2013.  The goal is to make each Fair more memorable than the last.   We feel that we have met that goal.  We have nearly doubled the footprint of fair activities, adding many free attractions.   

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Among the purposes of the CFC are: promoting cultural development; providing historical, dramatic and performing arts; allowing various community organizations in the town the opportunity to discuss the merits of joining their organization and to raise funds to support their activities. The Fair promotes community awareness of area history; provides organizations an opportunity to disburse health and safety information; and an awareness of activities and services that are available in Conklin.

 

The Fair provides a major fund-raising opportunity for community groups, not-for-profits and service organizations in the Conklin area.

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In addition, the Fair itself has made several direct donations to the Conklin community over the years. The Conklin Fair Committee historically has donated any funds over their necessary seed money back into the community. Recipients of those of donations include the Conklin Veterans Memorial, the Maines Community Center, equipment at Conklin’s Schnurbusch Park and the Conklin Youth Commission.