On a perfect September day under glorious blue skies – what a change from last year’s heavy rains – we enjoyed the Trust for Working Landscapes’ biggest annual event: Harvest Fair. The Fair, replete with fun & food, is many a family’s favorite Island event, perfect Americana in my book.

Slides, swing, fun

Slides & swings kept the kids entertained.

Animals

What celebration of farming would be complete without animals?

Four years of growth sheared off in ten minutes. Like many aspects of farming, sheep shearing is not as idyllic once witnessed in person.

Cider

The highlight of the Fair for me (and many, many kids) is the fresh-made cider. The community is encouraged to press their own apples and turn the crank a couple of times.

Raw material.

The apples go into the hopper where they are mashed to make the pressing easier.

Turn the crank (from an old boat trailer) and out comes the juice.

Apple mash compost.

When it comes to apples, almost everyone wants to lend a hand harvesting.

Beer

Cider is good and beer is too! Ed and I imbibed courtesy TWL for our efforts volunteering both at the Fair and in its preparation. The beer garden was new this year – I suspect given the crowds it will be back.

Oh, and we ate s’mores too … yum!

On the walk home, when asked how she liked the Fair, my daughter responded: “Too much sun, too much play, too much horsey-back rides.” Can you ask for anything more? Thanks TWL!

Here it is: I love, and feel blessed, to live here.