Greene County News
SPRINGFIELD — George Rogers Clark Park will step back into the 1800s for its annual Labor Day weekend Fair at New Boston on Sept. 3-4.
The Fair at New Boston has been making time travel seem possible for 34 years. Oxen will pull their wagon past taverns filled with the music of clinking mugs and fiddles. Visitors will stroll down the picturesque streets to the cadence of a blacksmith’s hammer.
Artisans will demonstrate their ancient skills. Musicians will fill the hearts of guests with song and shops will overflow with unique items. Every year there are a few new shops added to the returning favorites.
Guests will want to follow the sound of drums down the woodland trail between the Black Horse Tavern and Cheapside. The friendly Native American village in the woods welcomes visitors. Demonstrations show village life of long ago.
Biggest changes that a visitor will find at this year’s fair is the addition of more historically accurate food items. Scotch Eggs (or Forced Eggs), Carolina Rice, sliced beef, and slices of fruit or pecan pie.
There are more food choices at this Fair than ever before. The aroma of turkey legs, sweet corn, and ham roasting over open fires will make mouths water. Chicken and noodles, sausages on a stick, buffalo burgers, green beans, marinated mushrooms and more. Desserts include red raspberries and cream, ginger snaps, peaches and pound cake and Shrewsbury cakes.
There are special activities like puppet shows and games to delight the children. Each afternoon a battle reenactment with full-sized cannon, horses, and militia will remind visitors of the conflicts fought in this area between the Americans, the British and their Native allies.
The Fair at New Boston is held in historic George Rogers Clark Park, a part of the Clark County Park District, between Fairborn and Springfield on State Route 4. Gates will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., rain or shine. Parking is free. No pets please.
Admission is $10 for adults, and $3 for children aged 6-11. Ages 5 and under are admitted free. Early purchase discount tickets are available for $8 at all Security National Banks and at the Gathering House at George Rogers Clark Park. The Fair at New Boston is presented by the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association, an all-volunteer non-profit organization with history education as a goal. For more information visit www.FairAtNewBoston.org.
