(8/27) Fairfield’s 42nd Annual Pippinfest is just around the corner, as dates this year are set for September 23rd and 24th. A dedicated group comprising the Fairfield Borough’s Pippinfest Committee spends months planning and organizing this event every year. Organization for the festival typically starts in February but really kicks in during the month of June when Committee members begin setting the schedule, arranging for entertainment, and organizing vendors.
Dating back to 1980, the Pippinfest festival holds its roots firmly in community togetherness. The festival was started as a way to promote local non-profits, which has been a continued tradition ever since. As a way to bring townspeople together, David Thomas, the owner of Fairfield Inn in 1980, invited local clubs and school groups to participate in a community-wide celebration of the apple harvest. As a small town with a strong sense of community, the citizens of Fairfield were eager to support the idea, and an all-day street festival was planned.
Local Boy Scout troops, high school groups, churches and many others gather to sell food, drinks, and other goods to help raise money for their organizations. The Pippinfest brings people into the community, fosters an environment of fun for everyone, and brings neighbors together. Any proceeds realized from the Pippinfest go into a reserve and can be used by the Borough for community enhancement.
Pippinfest 2023 is filled with events, activities and entertainment. As always, yard sales and craft and food vendors from all over the region will be set up on Saturday. Stitch ‘N Peace quilting guild returns to host a quilt show in the Village Hall from 10 to 4 (both days!), and there will be rides and activities for kids at the "Kids Korner" next to the fire hall.
Sunday is a big entertainment day with eight bands performing lively music in various venues throughout the Borough starting at from 10:30. Fairfield high school and middle school students will showcase a variety of Band, Show Choir, and Chamber Choir performances from 12:30 to 1:30 at the Fairfield Fire Company porte-cochere on Steelman Street. Kids Korner is open with pony rides and games and inflatable rides.
A ‘Cruise-In Car Show and Swap Meet’ always attracts a wide variety of vehicles, including antique autos, hot rods, vintage race and muscle cars, street rods, motorcycles and trucks. Take in a bit of local culture and visit the display of Pippinfest pottery in the Village Hall. With close to 100 craft and food vendors, no one will go home without finding something to enjoy and something good to eat!
Pippinfest, which literally means "apple festival," offers attendees of all ages a memorable weekend full of fun and entertainment. Volunteers from the local community work year-round to bring this event to residents and all our visitors. For more information and event times visit www.pippinfest.com
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