[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE DURHAM FAIR ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS CENTENNIAL 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the community of Durham, Connecticut as well as a host of 
surrounding communities in extending my heartfelt congratulations to 
the Durham Fair Association as they mark the 100th Anniversary of the 
Durham Fair, Connecticut's largest agricultural fair and a cherished 
local legacy.
  Each year, on the last full weekend of September, thousands converge 
on the historic Durham Fairgrounds for this wonderful celebration of 
Connecticut's rich agricultural history. Before the gates open each 
day, the national anthem is sung; down in the Cow Palace and Animal 
Buildings, farms from across the state showcase a variety of animals 
including beef and dairy cattle, horses, llamas, pigs, rabbits, 
chickens, goats, and sheep; in the Commercial Building the vendors 
offer everything from farm equipment to vacuum cleaners; and in the 
Crafts Tent you can enjoy the works of local artists selling wares from 
handmade pottery, clothing, and jewelry to some of the world's best 
fudge.
  Art, baking, canning, crafts & collections, needlework and 
photography--there is no shortage of categories for the skills of 
adults and youth showcased throughout the ``Best in Show'' exhibits. 
Entries from quilts and woodworking to jams, pies and cakes, as well as 
pumpkin carving are on display competing for the coveted blue ribbon 
awards. Each extraordinary exhibit harkens back to the heritage and 
hallmarks of a true country fair.
  And you cannot miss the Farm Museum where their vast collection of 
antique farm equipment and collectibles will transport you back to the 
days of hand-cranked tractors, blacksmiths, and pot-bellied stoves. The 
Midway offers a variety of classic amusement rides and games and on the 
four different stages throughout the fairgrounds, musical entertainment 
from favorite local bands to major headliners comes with your admission 
ticket. And, of course, there are also the annual favorites--the 
tractor pull and demolition derby. It is nothing short of an 
extraordinary experience.
  Of course, one cannot talk about the Durham Fair without mentioning 
the incredible variety of food one can enjoy throughout the 
fairgrounds. And while there are private vendors that contract with the 
Fair, much of the fare offered is from local nonprofit organizations 
that the Association has opened the Fair to over the years. Ears of 
corn-on-the-cob, corn muffins, and popcorn are available from the PTA 
of Lyman Elementary School; the Coginchaug Benchwarmers have burgers 
and hotdogs; the Middlefield Lions have sausage and pepper grinders and 
fantastic donuts on their menu; the Portland Fire Department offers up 
the Fair's best french fries; Lime Rickeys are on tap at the Durham 
United Churches booth; and the Middletown Elks always have an extensive 
menu--and those are just a sampling of the more than two dozen local 
non-profits that participate in this event every year.
  The Durham Fair Association takes great pride in distributing profits 
from the fair back to the community through scholarships and support of 
numerous projects and events. In fact, proceeds from the Durham Fair 
have allowed the Association to award over $500,000 in academic 
scholarships, make more than $50,000 in charitable donations, and 
assist in community projects such as fencing and maintaining the Old 
Cemetery, help with the repairs to the Durham Library and contribute to 
other library building projects, and purchase the Durham Fire Company's 
first Jaws of Life.
  Over its 100-year history, what began as a single-day event has grown 
into a four-day celebration of agriculture past and present. What makes 
the Durham Fair particularly unique is that it remains a completely 
volunteer-run event--a testament to the special place it holds in the 
hearts of community members in Durham and neighboring communities. The 
Durham Fair is a local legacy that contributes to the enrichment of the 
Durham community in countless ways. Today, as they mark their 
centennial anniversary, I am proud to stand and extend my heartfelt 
congratulations and very best wishes for another century of continued 
success.

                          ____________________