FAIR

The year 2007 marked our 111th LVIS Fair! Started in 1896, this annual event crowns our fund-raising activities. A brief history of the Fair is given at the end of this page.The Fair date for our 112th fair, in 2008 is Saturday, July 26th.

Community spirit abounds each year at the Fair. Most of the goods sold on Fair Day are donated by local residents and merchants and many of our members contribute their time and energy to making this day great fun for the entire family.

We received an enthusiastic letter from one of our junior volunteers from East Hampton High School last year. She said, in part, "I had a wonderful time selling hotdogs at the LVIS Fair; it was just as fun as last year! We sold over 1,000 hotdogs and I had a great time working with the devoted ladies of LVIS. I am very happy about the amount of money going towards such a good cause. By the way, the items in the Vintage Booth were simply marvelous!"

Rain or shine, hundreds of people flock to the colorful booths to purchase appetizing foods, beautiful plants, vintage jewelry, clothing, and items from an Arts and Crafts Booth (in the Pre-Raphaelite sense) which features prints of local scenes, paintings, tapestry kits and hand-painted birdhouses .

One of our enduring traditions is a special poster to celebrate each year's Fair. This year Ken Robbins has given us a delightful depiction of a day at the beach. Come see it at the LVIS - it would brighten up any wall!

The Silent Auction, tucked away in our Sunken Garden, always has an array of fabulous items on which to bid. Also, in the weeks before the Fair you will find us selling chances at markets around the village as well as on Fair Day itself.

The children love Playland, their own special area, which has games, pony rides, carousel rides, a petting zoo and other fun.

Although our 111th fair is over, we are already at work planning for next year’s 112th!

A Brief History 1896-2007

The first Fair in 1896 was held at Clinton Hall (now Clinton Academy) and raised $565.49. The booths sold lemonade, ice cream, cakes, flowers and "useful household articles plus fancy work.” In 1907, the first of a series of twelve LVIS cookbooks proved to be a big moneymaker. A few Fairs were held on members' property, notably in 1912 at The Creeks on Georgica Pond. Patrons were ferried to the opposite shore for tea on another member's lawn! In 1914 the Fair moved to the Village Green. A much enjoyed addition to the Fair were yearly fashion shows sponsored by major designers and New York shops. All the models were drawn from East Hampton. One year a full orchestra provided accompaniment.
There were two years when the Fair reflected the nation's situation. In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, the Ladies cancelled the Fair. Instead, a three-week "Pencil Drive" was held. A book of chances offering cash prizes sold with a pencil for fifty cents. The drawing was held at the old Edwards Theater followed by a showing of "I Cover the Waterfront." In 1942, well into the shock of World War II, the fashion show took a war brides theme and featured inexpensive clothes from Sears Roebuck – at the finish, the bride threw her bouquet into the audience. The Farm Booth boasted chocolate, tea and coffee - all in the "shortage" category. But even though times were stark, glamour shone through - the owner of New York's Stork Club hosted a balloon dance with prizes popping out of balloons.
The Fair moved to Mulford Farm in 1949 and stayed there until 1989. The large barn on the property allowed a new feature - arts and crafts made by local artists. In 1960, a midway was constructed for Henri Bendel's fashion show. There was also a dance floor put up for the evening festivities. In the afternoon local children from Anita Zahn's School danced a la Isadora Duncan.
In 1990, the Fair settled on the lawn of the Gardiner Brown House at 95 Main Street, now the LVIS Headquarters. That is where you will find the colorful booths that have graced the Fair from its beginning, plus a huge carousel whirling around gleeful children.

LVIS / 95 Main Street / East Hampton NY 11937 / P: 631.324.1220 / email: info@lvis.org