Wapping Fair History

Taking Place Since 1892!

• 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).
• 2011-The fair continued its tradition of giving back to the community. Through a new Community Opportunity Program, organizations were able to raise funds by helping with the Wapping Fair. The Friends of South Windsor Swimming, Boy Scout Troop 880, Orchard Hill PTO, South Windsor Honor Society and Down to Earth Garden Club raised more than $4,000 for their causes. In addition, the fair donated $5,000 to the South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
• 2012-South Windsor Jaycees created the South Windsor Jaycees Foundation, Inc. The foundation, a 501C3 organization, will now oversee the management of the fair with an emphasis on education. Wapping Schoolhouse becomes the first new attraction for the foundation.
• 2013-Newest educational attraction Two by Two Zoo brings in rescued exotic animals. New free kiddle attractions include Bubble World and Corn Town as we strive to increase activities for our youngest attendees.
• 2014- The fair continues its tradition of adding on educational exhibits and more activities (OK Corral and Milking Cow Exhibit) for our youngest fairgoers.
• 2015-  Food truck festival is added for opening night!  30 food vendors Thursday night and 20 for the rest of the fair.
• 2016 - Final year at Evergreen Walk.
• 2017 – Fair moves to its new permanent home at the Fair Grounds at Rye Street Park, 75 Brookfield Street, South Windsor

• 2018 - Signed the largest amusement provider in New England, Fiesta Shows, to a three year contract to provide rides and midway attractions

• 2019 - Continued tradition of innovation holding celebrity corn hole tournament featuring principals of South Windsor schools teamed up with local celebrities such as Renee Dinino, Gina J and more
• 2020 - Fair did not open due to Covid 19

Gordon attended his first Wapping Fair in 1950, exhibited for the first time at the Wapping Fair in 1965, started working on the Wapping Fair committee in 1969 and still enjoys volunteering at the Wapping Fair each year!  While other committee members have come and gone, Gordon's continued participation helps keep the traditions and history of the fair alive, and the community greatly appreciates his contributions!