2019 Fair at New Boston
Step back in time at the 36th Annual Fair at New Boston on August 31 – September 1, 2019 at the George Rogers Clark Park in Springfield, Ohio and watch history come alive! The nationally recognized annual Fair at New Boston takes place every year on Labor Day Weekend. Everything about this quality event creates the illusion of time travel to 1790-1810. NOTE: Education Day for students is held on Friday, the day before the public event.
18th Century Fair at New Boston
Your full day of historical adventure will begin with cheering and huzzahs, as the 15 star flag is raised over the Fairground at the opening ceremonies. Visitors won’t want to miss this entertaining introduction to the Fair. Stay around to hear food vendors brag about the quality of their delicacies and merchants urging the Fairmasters to stop by their booths.
Fairgoers will have a hard time deciding where to turn next. There is so much to do at the Fair at New Boston! Battle recreations, Native American villages, smells, tastes and sights and other slices of 18th Century life will be recreated 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.
Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Rain or Shine
Admission: Ages 12-older $10; active military with ID $7; children ages 6-11 $3; and children ages 5-under free. No pets please.
Location
George Rogers Clark Park
930 S. Tecumseh Road
Springfield, OH 45506
937-882-6000
Directions
Enter the George Rogers Clark Park, take your first immediate Right on to Marianne Nave Dr., then follow New Boston Road to the Left, continue until you reach the Gathering House.
The Fair at New Boston Mini-Gallery
For more information:
General Information: 937-882-9216 or info@grcha.org
The Fairmaster & Mistress: Fairmaster@grcha.org
The GRCHA Association President: President@grcha.org
Fair Registration Information: Registration@grcha.org
Parking: Free and plentiful.
Education Day – Friday
Open to the Public School Districts, Private Schools, and Home School Programs. Primary Program Focus: Fourth or Fifth Grade, Ohio and American History. Not Open to the General Public on Friday. Home School Registration[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Notice to Education Day Demonstrators and Entertainers”]
Education day is Friday from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
No vehicles on field during this time.
Please be at your assigned location ready to demonstrate or entertain. Last year there were over 1,300 students for Education Day. Attendance varies from year to year. GRCHA greatly appreciates your cooperation in this matter.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion][su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Saturday & Sunday Tentative Schedule”]
Fairmaster’s Tent
10:15 am Opening Ceremony
11:15 am Liberty Dancers
12:00 pm George Rogers Clark
1:15 pm Chief Black Hoof
2:30 pm Daniel Boone
3:30 pm Liberty Dancers
5:45 pm Closing Ceremy
Tactical Field
11:45 am Mounted Rangers
2:00 pm Mounted Rangers
4:00 pm Battle Reenactment
Kispoko Village
All Day – Cooking Demonstrations
Drumming & Singing 11:45 am & 12:45 am
Native Artisan Noon & 2:15 pm
Tomahawk Competition 1:30 pm
Archery Match 3:00 pm
Hertzler Barn & Half Penny Hatch Venues
Entertainment TBA
Cheapside Theater
11:00 am – 5:30 pm Shakespearean Actors & Play TBA, Magic Shows, etc.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Fair at New Boston Highlights:
Artisans and Merchants
Find special treasures in the New Boston Market that you will not find in regular stores. Explore the unique shops that surround the public square. Pottery, herbs, dried flowers, handmade chairs, silhouettes, soaps, jewelry, books, lanterns, fabric, glassware, clothing of the frontier era, and much more can be found in the tents and booths of merchants and artisans.
Balloon Flight
The Fair at New Boston hot air balloon will be launched from the front of the market area if weather cooperates. Made out of paper and ink this balloon demonstrates how man first got a view from above more than 200 years ago.
Historic Figures Come to Life
Scheduled throughout the day at the Fairmasters Tent, you will find a variety of frontier folks ready to tell their stories: Daniel Boone, Chief Black Hoof, and George Rogers Clark. This is a great spot to sit on benches in the shade.
Liberty Dancers
Twice each day, the Liberty Dancers will demonstrate dances of the time period enjoyed by many of the founding fathers and mothers. Visitors will be given an opportunity to join in.
Entertainment at Cheapside and throughout the Fair
Need to rest your feet? Join the audience and share in the hearty laughter at Cheapside Theater. Can Dr. Balthasar’s elixir really cure for all that ails you? Besides Cheapside, Entertainment can be found throughout the Fair. The beautiful Slack Rope Walker has captivated visitors for years. Puppets, magicians, and balladeers set up in various locations throughout the day.
Food and Beverages
Come hungry to the Fair at New Boston! Enjoy frontier foods authentically prepared. Scotch eggs, smoked turkey legs, chicken legs, shredded beef, pork sausage on a stick, bison on a bun, ham on a biscuit, shredded chicken on a roll, spiced roast beef, bread with flavored butter & jam, chicken and noodles, Carolina rice, green beans and potatoes, garlic mushrooms in wine, ham & beans, New Brunswick stew, and apples & cheese will delight even the pickiest eaters. For desserts choose from peaches and pound cake, raspberries and cream, pies, or vanilla ice cream with plum sauce.
Drink Up at Three Historic Taverns
Thirsty visitors will find beverages in three taverns, The Black Horse, Littlejohn’s, and the Hickory, in addition to the Dancing Goats Coffee House, which is located right in the middle of everything. In addition to lemonade, ice tea, a sarsaparilla, and bottled water, taverns also serve beer. (Although we claim to be in 1797, a 21st century ID is still required of guests!)
Native American Village
Follow the sound of drums down a forest trail to visit the growing Woodlands Indian Village. The Fair at New Boston is on the former site of two Shawnee villages, Peckuwe and Kispoko. Handicrafts, games, and demonstrations of Shawnee, Mingo, Miami, Wyandotte, and other tribes are featured. All day, you can learn how food was prepared in camp at live cooking demonstrations. This is also one of the shadiest places to come on a hot, sunny afternoon.
Music
Music was enjoyed in 1797 in many different forms, as it is now. Relax in a historic tavern while listening to music of the era. Musicians playing violins, mandolins, guitars, and even bagpipes move from tavern to tavern and rove throughout the area. The coffeehouse is a center of entertainment and a place where you can enjoy a game of checkers or chess.
Battle Reenactment and Cannon
Thrill to the boom of the full-sized Revolutionary War cannon. The Mad River Light Artillery Revolutionary War reenactor group sets up their bronze British Light six-pounder at the top of the hill near the flagpole and militia encampment. This group will demonstrate cannon firing many times throughout each day.
Each afternoon, the Fair at New Boston features the excitement of a battle reenactment. Our reenactment features militia on foot and on horse, cannons, Shawnee warriors, and British Crown troops. After the battle, visit the militia camps on the hill between Hertzler House and the George Rogers Clark Memorial. The First Mad River Light Artillery near the flag pole will be available to answer questions.
Grand Camera Obscura
Near the entrance to the Fair at New Boston, an oddly shaped tent will most likely be first to catch your attention. It’s the Grand Camera Obscura. Fair attendees can be among a relatively fortunate few who can enjoy this historical scientific attraction, which is just like the one seen in Paris more than 200 years ago. Step into the round tent and be prepared to be amazed.
Premier Living History Event
There is time after the battle to finish shopping, get something to eat, and catch another of the entertainers. You will also want to see the closing ceremonies at the end of the day.
All of this is why the Fair at New Boston is recognized as a premiere living history event. All the music, entertainment, clothing, methods of cooking, foods served, merchandise booths, and equipment used by the artisans are juried (or judged) to ensure authenticity to the period. It is also special because it is held on an historic site. George Rogers Clark Park was the site of the Battle of Peckuwe, the Shawnee villages of Peckuwe and Kispoko, and the frontier town of New Boston. The Fair at New Boston is our way of remembering our history. There is so much to do at the Fair at New Boston that many visitors come back for a second day of fun on Sunday.
Participant Information
This is a juried event. Please read the participant information and rules section carefully before applying. Some rules and guidelines have changed for 2017, so please read before applying.
Please read the Rules of Participation
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”General Information & Fair Rules”] NO PETS ALL WEEKEND.
During the fair Wi-Fi will be available around the Gathering House Area, in the designated Wi-Fi/Cellular Zone. This area provides for the best reception. Please refrain from usage of cellular phones or computers on the field.
Children under the age of 16 must be under supervision of a registered adult at all times.
Breakfast can be purchased at beginning at 7 a.m.
Please participate in the opening ceremony. Line up in front of Littlejohn’s Tavern at 10 a.m. We will parade to the Fairmaster’s Tent.
Closing Ceremony – All are expected to participate!
NO TEAR DOWN BEFORE 6 P.M. SUNDAY!
Gathering house hours on Saturday are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and after 4.p.m. for costume turn in. The building is closed to the public at other times.
Lost and found is at Coffee House.
The taverns operated by the GRCHA are the only entities allowed to serve alcohol.
Merchants will be juried after setup and issued a Suttler’s license for display. Please do not sell or display period inappropriate items.
First aid kits and radios are at each tavern. The Red Cross tent is located at the Hertzler House and an emergency squad is located at the Gathering House during the day. Park rangers are on duty at night.
Ice coupons are redeemable at the taverns during open hours. Bring a cover for the ice for authenticity.
Hay for animals is available at the Gathering House. Straw is available for inclement weather. Make sure you know the difference.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Beginning Saturday at 9 a.m. through Sunday at 6 p.m., the Fair at New Boston is in the 1790-1810 era. NO visitors in non period clothing during the evening activities; no pets. Please make sure all clothing and accoutrements reflect this. Keep 21st century items out of sight. NO ONE ON FIELD IN MODERN ATTIRE!
No modern vehicles on field during between 9 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday, without approval of the Fairmaster.
Participant dinner is at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday—prepay only. Period appropriate attire and eating utensils only.
A dance will be held Saturday night after dinner—period attire required.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Fair at New Boston on Labor Day Weekend at the George Rogers Clark Park in Springfield, Ohio.
Tags: Fair at New Boston, New Boston Reenactment, 18th Century Market Fair, Colonial Market Fair, Revolutionary War Reenactment