by Susie Kramer, with additions by Jinny Tuscano
It's time once again to ring in summer with the quintessential fair experience, the St. Michael’s of the Valley Country Day Fair! The Fair is in its sixty-ninth year, and will be
held on Saturday June 8th on the church fair field along Route 381 in Rector.
St. Michael’s Of The Valley Episcopal Church, established in 1949, is a
white country style church with a stately steeple. It proudly
stands among the trees in an idyllic setting, near the entrance to Linn Run
State Park in Rector, PA. As the date of their annual Country Day Fair approaches, many willing hands come together to orchestrate the details and logistics from start to finish. According to Jinny Tuscano, 2019 co-chair for the fair, “This annual Fair is one of the traditions that exemplifies the spirit of service and community that we value. It is an important event in the life of our parish, especially since all proceeds of the Fair are given back to charities in the Ligonier Valley."
The Fair was started in 1950, when events of this type were common and abundant in
small towns across the country. Although church fairs like this
one have become more rare, the St. Michael’s Fair continues on and
maintains its popularity in the community. Well-known for their famous Mushroom Sandwiches and Crepes, the Fair has something for everyone. Young and old alike enjoy the festive atmosphere.
In addition to food and fun, there's also a chance to peruse a variety of goods and treasures for sale. Who doesn’t love and anticipate a church rummage sale! Ann Woodall and a dedicated group work tirelessly year-round collecting and organizing items for the sale. There’s often a line of people eagerly waiting outside the church's 'Parish Hall' for the doors to open at 9a.m. Folks arrive early to fill a shopping bag for five dollars of second-hand clothing (other items including household goods are separately priced.) Coffee and muffins are on sale nearby to make the wait more tolerable.
Another point of interest is the offering of ‘Connie’s Closet’. It is named for the woman who was instrumental in helping to found the Fair 68 years ago - the late Constance Mellon Burrell. Here, higher-end hidden treasures such as vintage clothing and accessories can be found. They’ve even sold donated tuxedos and wedding dresses in the past.
There is also a tented area known as the ‘White Elephant’ that houses better housewares - good dish sets, silver pieces, small pieces of furniture, and paintings. One more area to explore: The Book Nook. The basement of the church has rows and rows of every type of book imaginable, such as history, travel, classics, and coffee table books. It’s a book-lover’s treasure hunt.
After canvasing their collections of used items, the Peruvian craft and jewelry table should definitely be the next stop! St. Michael’s sponsors several missionaries whose connections are in South America. Men and women from villages in Peru have sent countless exquisitely hand-crafted items for the purpose of sale at the Fair.
This family-friendly event will be so much fun for the kids! Among several game and activity stations, parents and teachers from St. Michael’s Wood Bridge Preschool will provide hands-on activities for young children. Some of the youth of St. Michael’s congregation will be helping kids make balloon art and origami. Students from The Neighborhood Academy, a faith-based, college preparatory, independent school located in Pittsburgh, will be providing face painting at this year’s fair. St. Michael’s has been a supporter of the school since its founding.
Can we get back to those Mushroom Sandwiches, though? The ones that EVERYONE always mentions when retelling stories from past Fairs? Peggy Vale (who uses Barbara Overholt’s original recipe) mixes sautéed mushrooms with herbs and envelops them in molten cheese. It’s a grilled-cheese sandwich for grown-ups, an indulgence that warrants no guilt whatsoever! It’s a must-eat at this event. People will drive hours from Pittsburgh and surrounding areas just to sink their teeth into this legendary Fair staple.
The crepes are another unique edible offered here. These delicate, labor-intensive pastries are made onsite using the longstanding recipe of the late Thomas Nimick. The Deli Booth features sandwiches made with ham that’s home-baked by Dr. Cal Kier. There are countless casserole dishes and salad bowls of church-goer-made picnic food here, including a coleslaw whose dressing recipe is shrouded in secrecy. Rows of white tables and chairs are set up for dining, but there are plenty of people who prefer to sit on a picnic blanket while eating Fair food and enjoying the accompanying music - smooth jazz will be played throughout the morning and afternoon by the group One Accord.
As mentioned earlier, your crepe, balloon art and Connie’s Closet purchases will directly support local causes such as the Ligonier Valley Food Pantry, Meals On Wheels, Faith In Action, and Adelphoi Village (whose students and staff help with the setup and teardown of the Fair.)
The Country Day Fair, in its altruistic efforts, is in essence a love letter to the community. By treating people to the classic Fair experience, this church congregation is able to give back to the community it loves and lives in. It brings people together on the lawn in a picturesque setting to enjoy the simple things in life - shaking hands and chatting with neighbors, piling paper plates with homemade food, and entertaining the kids with good, old-fashioned Fair fun. We are grateful that St. Michael’s Church puts out the effort to keep this community’s beloved Fair running strong for so long.
MAKE ROOM ON THE CALENDAR FOR THESE DATES!
June 8th, 2019: St. Michael's Country Day Fair! 9a.m. - 2p.m.
Wood Bridge's 2019 Summer Movie Series (bring the family at dusk to watch a movie under the stars!)
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