TOWNSHEND — The 60th annual Grace Cottage Hospital Fair Day will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on the Townshend Common.
The fair, presented by the Grace Cottage Auxiliary, will see a few new twists this year. For starters, the auction will start at 9:30 a.m. (instead of 10:30 a.m.), so come early - the preview of auction items is at 9 a.m. - and stay late.
The Grafton Band will be playing at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. This will allow the chicken barbecue dinner guests who start lining up at 5 p.m. to enjoy music with their meals.
Also, a new crew will be managing the barbecue. Cameron Howard will be coordinating the dinner, and Mike Fontaine from NewBrook Fire & Rescue will be grilling the chicken.
In place of the art show, there will be a booth for costume jewelry, and donations are appreciated.
Artists are invited to paint tote bags for a silent auction. If anyone wants a tote bag to decorate, contact the coordinator of the project, Claire Adams of West Townshend, at 802-874-4923. The painted bags will be on display at the West Townshend Community Center prior to the Fair.
In between acts by the New England Center for Circus Arts performers, there will be a short ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the fair.
The fair also 22 bargain booths, free pony rides, free parking and Bingo all day.
While the fair is filled with fun, it is also an important fundraiser for the hospital. Last year, the fair raised a record-setting $60,000 for the hospital.