Fair Weather and Apple Pies Draw Visitors to Historical Society’s Harvest Fair

The Holliston Historical Society’s (HHS) Harvest Fair, held on its picturesque grounds, drew a crowd from near and far Sunday, September 19, 2021.  The house, the barn, and the front yard over-flowed with yummies, treasures, tunes, and opportunities for all to enjoy.  The sun shone brightly on the historic yellow house on Washington Street, and its lawn buzzed with the activity of a community about to make up for lost time. 

Bea Hait, HHS External Vice President, met up with the Town Crier Chris Cain pretty early in the day.  It was her idea to use his bell-ringing talent to stroll among the shoppers, roaring reminders of the return of past years’ favorite items.  With his red coat, he certainly drew the attention of many.

Volunteers manned booths of welcome, food, and treasures.  Vendors featured arts and crafts, epicurean delicacies, and practical products.  Shoppers strolled among the appropriately distanced rows of tents and beautiful displays.

Silent auction tables just outside the barn drew the eyes with their tempting treats:  artwork, wine, gift cards, and handmade goods were among those on display.

In the barn, cinnamon and apple scents dominated.  Volunteers had baked 105 pies now on display, as well as apple crisp in two sizes.  The bakery boxes were leaving the barn at a good clip.  We hope you got yours early, as they had to have been an early sell-out. 

Not only bakery treats, but lunch items and refreshments were available.  Where else can you get homemade lobster mac and cheese for $10?  Oh, and before you leave the barn, cast your eyes over the candy display from the Candy Cottage.

To break from the shopping, visitors could sit and dine, visit and pet the alpaca duo, find an empty rocking chair for a rest or simply enjoy the shade.  

At 11:30, tours of the Historical Society building began.  And for your afternoon listening pleasure, the bluegrass band “Always in Season” strummed away.  Did you see that gorgeous portable cherrywood harp? 

A steady stream of visitors, plenty of volunteers to ease the work, a goodly supply of vendors, some tasty treats, and lively bluegrass tunes seemed to be the recipe for success…oh, and a big dose of sunshine! 

Yvette Cain

2 Comments

  1. Beate (Bea) Hait on September 21, 2021 at 9:35 am

    Thank you, Yvette, for your delightful write-up of your impressions of the Harvest Fair. It certainly was a glorious day, and we are thankful for all the attendees, vendors and volunteers, Always in Season, Tim Drake for parking one of his tractors on the lawn for the enjoyment of kids young and old–and Town Crier Chris Cain, who added finesse to the proceedings. We did sell out of apple pies and lunch offerings, and over 125 people took advantage of the Open House to see the rooms and view displays prepared by our Collections Committee. For anyone who would like to become a Society member, information can be found at hollistonhistoricalsociety.org.

  2. Jean Morrissey on September 23, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    A fun day was had by all! Meeting old friends and new alike.

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