Fletcher Memorial Library hosts The Hampton Harvest Festival, Saturday, September 27 from10AM – 3PM., on the lawn between the Community Center and the Town Hall. In case of rain, the event will move to the Hampton Elementary School.

The festival, which is the library’s main fundraiser, will feature a variety of vendors and many hand grown and handmade products from the Hampton area. Vendors include Rural Heritage Arts, Pebble Brook Farm, Full Moon Farm, Bright Acres Farm, Organic Roots Farm, Good Medicine Therapeutic Massage, Bedecked & Beadazzled, HC Woodturning, Flowers by Charity, The Hampton Historical & Antiquarian Society, The Hampton Gazette, and the Hampton Conservation Commission.

As always, the event will feature a line-up of treats and refreshments, complete with a bake sale. There will also be a lemonade stand; Our Lady of Lourdes will offer coffee and apple crisp, and The Hampton Fire Department will have the grill set up for burgers and hot dogs.

Other offerings will include fresh produce and other agricultural products, and local crafts and art work. Weather permitting, there will be face painting and games for the children, along with the traditional hay rides, corn hole game, and a display of farm goats. Music will be provided by trumpeter Joe Coombs (10AM –NOON) and by bagpipers Heather Nunn, Benjamin Elzertman and Emily Nunn. (12:30–1:30PM). All are members of the Manchester Pipe Band.

Admission is free and both sites offer plenty of free parking. For more information call: 860 455 1086.

Besides the main event on Saturday, the festival weekend offers other opportunities for family fun. The weekend kicks off with a Hampton Recreation Commission bonfire at the Town Hall Ball Field, Friday night from 5:30 – 9PM for Hampton residents. Also that weekend, Our Lady of Lourdes is sponsoring a Scarecrow contest with cash prizes for both the adult and junior divisions. The contest will be held on the Town Hall lawn from Friday the 26th through Sunday the 28th with judging on Saturday the 27th. Join in for a $10 donation and pre-register at the Fletcher Memorial Library during library opening hours.

Andrea Kaye