May Fair 2024
Karen and Peter Hanson. Scenes from May Fair, May 11, 2024. Credit: Michael Dinan
New Canaanites and visitors to town descended on “the midway” at St. Mark’s Episcopalian Church on Friday and Saturday for the 75th annual May Fair.
Peter Hanson of Marvin Ridge Road said he’s lived in the same house in New Canaan for 60 years and on Saturday morning attended his 60th May Fair.
“The rides have gotten bigger,” Hanson said as he and his wife, Karen, prepared to dig into their strawberry shortcake. “Everything is getting smaller in my life—the school I went to, the house I grew up in. But the rides are getting bigger, and I love to see them. The May Fair is a wonderful New Canaan tradition, to see happy kids running around squealing.”
Kids, families and grownups enjoyed rides, patronized the White Elephant tag sale, ate hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and brisket from the St. Mark’s Holy Smokers, purchased books and plants and mingled under sunny skies on a crisp morning and afternoon. The fair runs through 6 p.m. Saturday. Major sponsors include Walter Stewart’s Market and Karl Chevrolet.
One of New Canaan’s most cherished community traditions, May Fair serves as a fundraiser for St. Mark’s Church’s outreach programs.
Hanson said the traditions in New Canaan are a large part of what makes the community so special.
“Everybody grumbles about change in New Canaan but New Canaan is my favorite town because it changes very slowly, and almost always for the better,” he said.