‘Missions Possible’ The Theme For 100th Norfield Fair

WESTON — Started as a strawberry festival in 1901, the annual Norfield Congregational Church Fair has turned into one of the area’s largest and longest-running fairs. The 100th presentation of Norfield Fair will be Thursday through Saturday, June 7-9, at the church on Norfield Road.

This year’s theme is “Missions Possible,” with proceeds from the event earmarked for six charities.

“The fair is an outreach program that is very important to those charities on a day-to-day basis,” said Claudia Mengel, who is co-chairing this year’s fair along with her husband Craig. “Smaller charities often get overlooked. We support smaller ones that have touched the hearts of people in our church.”

Nobody’s Children is a small organization that provides medical and humanitarian resources for needy children in the Balkans. Last year the group opened a small group home in Romania to help children recover from the institutional syndrome that often affects them in the crowded, under-funded state orphanages. Norfield’s mission is to help fund that group home.

Another beneficiary works closer to home. The Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center offers prevention and treatment services for virtually every facet of a child’s psychological, behavioral and emotional health to any family that needs it, regardless of their ability to pay. Almost all of the center’s families are in central Fairfield County, and the average age of the children it treats is eight.

“You don’t have to look farther than this area to find need,” said Craig Mendel. “But with all the prosperity, it’s harder to see. It’s blunted by the comfort of your own life.”

Part of the fair’s proceeds will also be used to support the missionary work of Norfield members Doug and Kris Freeley, who moved from Weston to establish eye clinics in Ecuador a few years ago; Doug Freeley is an eye surgeon.

The other beneficiaries are Interfaith Housing Associates in Westport, which provides emergency food and shelter; Good Friend in Danbury, a mentoring program for single-parent kids; and Silk Lake, a United Congregational Church camp in Sharon.

The 100th Norfield Church Fair will open with an art show and champagne reception on Thursday, June 7, from 6 to 9 pm. Paintings, photography and portfolio work of more than 50 artists, many of whom are in private and corporate collections, will be for sale. The art show, a 50-year tradition, will feature original oils, watercolors, acrylics, photography and mixed media.

An antiques show, dinner and live auction will be presented on Friday, June 8, with the antiques show opening at 6. The auction features a trip for two to London, with business class airfare from American Airlines and a stay at the Ritz. There will also be signed celebrity posters, sports tickets and memorabilia including four Yankees game tickets and other surprises.

“This is one of the longest-running antiques shows in the area,” said Millie Best, who has worked on the event for 40 years. This show has a significant collection of over 500 antiques and a following of serious collectors.

Saturday, June 9, is fair day, from 9 am to 4 pm. There will be events for kids including games, plus music, crafts, books, clothes, “attic treasures,” a silent auction, and plenty of food. Children will have their own game area, and this year there will be a special hospitality tent for senior citizens.

For more information visit the fair’s Web site at www.norfieldfair.org or call 203-454-5471.