The August 1981 issue of The Puddledock Press had the headline "Town Fair Returns". The article went on to say that Farmington's seventh annual Town Fair, organized by the Farmington Jaycees, would be held for four big days, August 20-23, at the 500 Boy's Club Field. The events listed for Friday included a greased pig contest for children 7-14. The day was to end with fireworks at 10:30 PM. Saturday began with an "Anything Goes On Wheels Race". Main Street from School Street to the corner of Mechanic Street was blocked off. This contest was the same as a soap box derby except the contestants could use anything that could roll down the hill and stop on its own (no motors). There was a dog show with open competition at 11:30. A father and son wheelbarrow race was at 2:00 PM. A mother/daughter egg toss was at 2:30. The team that could toss the egg the furthest without breaking won. At 3:00 there was a watermelon eating contest for kids only. For the adults there was a pie eating contest at 4:00. A dance contest at 8:00 PM. First prize was $100 and trophies for second and third place. On Sunday there was a Firemen's Parade and Muster from 12:00-6:00. Besides all of the events (over a 3 day period) there were rides, Bingo, the Big Wheel Game, food booths the dunking booth and novelty booths!
The first time the name Hay Day was used for the annual summer event was in the July 1982 issue of The Puddledock Press in The Community Calendar section. For July 17th it was stated "Farmington Hay Day activities start at 10 AM and continue through the day - Central Square area and Ball Park."
The September 1983 issue of The Puddledock Press listed the prior month's August 27th as the Second Annual Hay Day.
Farmington
Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of organizing Hay Day,
which will be on August 19th this year. Many people must have been
pleased to read the announcement made in the Farmington NH News Facebook
Page that there would be firetruck rides at the old Firestation parking
lot from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
This year for the first time in many, many years, Hay Day will be back in the 500 Boy's and Girl's Park, where it al began!
All photos in this post are from the Museum of Farmington NH History's Puddledock Press Archive. These photos are all from the September 1986 Puddledock Press. All Puddledock Press back issues and photo sets taken for the issues, now belong to the Farmington NH Historical Society.
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