Sponsored by the South Windsor Jaycees. A new year...a new fair! Roderick Russell-sword swallower, Janya Lee-acrobat and contortionist, Racing Pigs and Dachshunds!

Wapping Fair History

119 Years of History!

• 1892- 1st annual Wapping Fair takes place. Sponsored by
  Wapping Grange to benefit Wapping School District.
• 1934- No fair was held due to the depression.
• 1945- Fair restarted to commemorate South Windsor's 100th
  anniversary.
• 1952- Fair relocated to Hall's Grove.
• 1960s- Fair relocated to Wapping School location.
• 1960s- Wapping Grange formed partnership with South Windsor Jaycees to conduct fair.
• Late 1960s- Fair relocated to Zagorski Park.
• Early 1970s- Fair relocated to Rye Street Park.
• Early 1970s- Wapping Grange gave up its interest in the fair. The Knights of Columbus joined partnership with the Jaycees.
• Mid 1970s- Jaycees fold. Knights of Columbus is sole sponsor of fair for 2 years.
• Late 1970s- Knights vote to discontinue sponsoring fair.
• Late 1970s- Knights of Columbus, Eastern Star & South Windsor Lions all contribute
  funds and manpower to continue Wapping Fair.
• 1992- 100th anniversary of Wapping Fair. Knights of Columbus, Eastern Star & South Windsor Lions elected to withdraw from fair. Wapping Fair Association was formed to coordinate fair.
• 1993- New South Windsor Jaycees chapter takes over agricultural and animal exhibit.
• 2001- South Windsor Jaycees becomes sponsoring organization for fair.
• 2002- Animal tent grows to point of where a 2nd 4800 sq. ft. is needed.
• 2003- Racing Pigs are main attraction at the fair!!! Fair named U. S. Jaycee Project of the Year
• 2004- Jaycees donated almost $5,500 of fair proceeds to various town causes including My Friends' Place to support Boundless Playground, Town of South Windsor to purchase a defibrillator and Family Awareness Day to support the program
• 2005- Record crowds attend the fair. Fair donates over $5,000 to various town causes including $800 for the Boundless Playground, $1,000 for the 2nd level ropes course, $1,000 to the South Windsor Fire Department for modernizing training equipment and $2,500 to the South Windsor Police Department to help fund a new police dog.
• 2006- Family Fun Day comes to the Wapping Fair. Highlighted by two shows from Ronald McDonald, numerous fairgoer participation contests and plenty of entertainment, Sunday reaches new levels of attendance.
• 2007- The Wapping Fair leaves Rye Street Park after almost 40 years and is held at Evergreen Walk. Fair attendance increased by 18%.
  
• 2008-The fair, in its second year at Evergreen Walk, continues to grow with Friday and Sunday having the largest attendance ever. Tufano Amusements becomes the new carnival company and brings in 17 rides, including five thrill rides. The Jaycees use fair proceeds to donate $5,000 to the South Windsor Food & Fuel Bank to help those in need.
• 2009-A new promotion to help those in need is started. Fairgoers are given $1.00 off admission on Sunday with the donation of a non-perishable food item. 14 boxes of food are collected and donated to the South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
• 2010-Second highest attendance is reached thanks to Racing Pigs, Jayna Lee (contortionist and acrobat) and Roderick Russell (sword swallower).
  

Wapping Fair History

A more detailed Wapping Fair history is available as a PDF file, viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader.