Outgoing Unionville Fair president Danielle Chamberlain (left) hands off the gable to new president Deb Deckman. Without a new president, the Fair was unlikely to happen in 2016, officials said.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — The 92nd Unionville Community Fair will live on after a successful Save the Fair meeting on February 17. Deb Deckman stepped forward and agreed to serve as the fair board’s next president and Jeff Lewis has agreed to serve as the fair’s next treasurer.
The fair board members said they was happy to see about 50 community minded individuals come out to preserve the past and invest in the future of the fair.
These two officers were elected at the scheduled Board meeting on Feb. 24.
Deckman lives in West Grove but has deep roots in Unionville and the fair. Her husband Matthew’s grandparents were part of the fair since the beginning. Grandmother Laura (Case) Deckman was the fourth Unionville Fair Queen, and many fairgoers remember Fred Deckman’s homemade matchbox cars.
Matthew Deckman’s parents are Joe and Lori (Johnson) Deckman, both Unionville grads. Joe Deckman introduced Fred and Laura Deckman when the fair was dedicated to them a few years back. Jeff Lewis is new to the area and wanted to get involved and give back to the community just like Deb Deckman.”
Another step forward is the hiring for the first-time of a paid fair manager, Pam Eppinger This position was designed to take some pressure off new incoming board officers. Eppinger knows the Unionville School District well, having provided educational support to students in the district and working with other non-profits.
Tara Soto Regester was newly appointed to the board at the same Feb. 24 meeting . Danielle Chamberlain and David Pritchard, outgoing president and treasurer will remain on the board of directors.
Over the past 91 years, the Unionville Community Fair has grown from a grassroots school harvest festival to the community institution it is today. In mission, it stands on solid ground to honor our area’s agricultural heritage, promote environmental education, and provide engaging family and community-centered programs.
This year’s fair will take place on Friday, September 30th, Saturday & Sunday October 1st and 2nd.
