Saturday: Outdoor 'Calico Fair' Returns to Middletown

After taking a break for a few years, members of Christ Church of Middletown have decided to bring back its popular community event, the traditional outdoor Calico Fair. 

With anticipation building over a fresh start with a new rector -- longtime priest, Dean Henry, retired a year ago and a search committee is nearing the announcement of a replacement -- the Episcopal parish on King's Highway is feeling energized about its future. 

"People remember the Calico Fair, and keep asking us 'When are you going to hold the Calico Fair again?'" said organizer Becky Truscott, who has been working with a team for months to organize donations, line up entertainers, kids activities and food for the event. "It is a lot of work. But it says something about how we feel connected to our community. So we said, 'Let's do it.'" 

The fall festival at 90 Kings Highway is on Saturday, Oct. 6 features live music, a pumpkin patch, face painting and kids’ games and prizes. A petting zoo is scheduled for Saturday, October 6 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

A silent auction will feature gift certificates to local venues and for special services. There will be a Raffle for a quality office chair, iPad or office safe.

Homemade crafts are for sale in the Holiday shop, and there will be a Photo Booth for holiday photos. 

There will be a Food Court and a unique Christ Church tradition: the Frito Bandito snack stand.

One of the major highlights of the event is the eclectic White Elephant Sale. Thousands of items donated by members of Christ Church of Middletown’s large congregation are being brought in this week for pricing and display on the front lawn on King’s Highway and inside the meeting hall Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6.

Since the fair was not held in recent years, some families have told Truscott they have more than a few  "treasures" to donate -- everything from garden equipment, to hardcover books, to wooden kids puzzles, to kitchenware. "You can expect to find lots of great, unused items priced ridiculously low in this sale," she said. 

Details:

What: The Christ Church Calico Fair and rummage sale

Where: 90 Kings Highway, at Church Street. There is ample parking.

When: Friday, Oct. 5 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 6 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The petting zoo is scheduled for Saturday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

Contact: christchurchmiddletown@verizon.net or call 732-671-2524. The website is www.christchurchmiddletown.org.