BURRILLVILLE – It’s a 27-year tradition focused on building community, offering free family fun to the masses, and with warm, sunny weather on Saturday, it just may just draw in record crowds.
The 27th annual Family Fair will held at Stillwater Mill Center on Saturday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free kids games, prizes, entertainment and information from local businesses and organizations aimed at providing resources to families.
The event is organized by the Burrillville Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with the Jesse Smith Library and the Burrillville Farmer’s Market and typically draws out between 1,500 and 1,800 people.
“It’s very busy and it’s going to be hot,” said Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Hall. “We’ll get a ton of people.”
Free activities offered throughout the day include face painting and giant lawn games such as checkers along with swag to take home from local vendors. There will also be food trucks, a farmer’s market, and live entertainment throughout the day.
Visit a petting zoo from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and meet Marshall from Paw Patrol between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
At 11 a.m., the fair will hold it’s popular pie-eating contest, open to visitors of all ages.
“If there’s enough people who want to do a second round, we just keep going,” Hall said of the free event.
The contest is in keeping with the fair’s longtime theme of “Old Time” fun – where families can enjoy a stress-free opportunity to share a laugh with their neighbors, without having to spend money.
“It’s just fun,” said Hall. “We want families to come and not feel pressured that they need to buy anything.”
Vendor booths will hand out items such as child ID kits, and parents will find information on things like summer camps, private schools and art instruction. With the exception of the farmer’s market and the food trucks, there’s no selling of any kind allowed.
“It’s all groups that can benefit families,” said Hall.
As always, the fair has attracted the maximum number of vendors that can fit in the space – right in front of Jesse Smith Memorial Library. Start your fair walk with a visit to the main information booth to pick up a free bag.
“Every year we’re maxed out and we have to cut it at 40,” said Hall.
Demonstrations include Kids Yoga at 10:30 a.m., boot camp at 11:30 a.m. and fencing at 12:30 p.m. The band After Market Parts will play under the center’s pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“There’s a little bit of everything and everything is free,” said Hall. “We always mix in new games and activities.”
Bring a box of macaroni and cheese to donate to the Weekend Snack Pack Program, and you’ll get a free raffle ticket for one of many baskets and gift certificates up for grabs. The raffle will benefit the program, which offers food to Burrillville students in need. The program will also be selling popcorn.
Parking will be available along Harrisville Main Street and East Avenue as well as by the library.
