Retro Remembrance of Fair Havenites on First Fair Haven Day

Pat Topfer at the first Fair Haven Day Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Pat Topfer at the first Fair Haven Day
Photo/Elaine Van Develde
George Giffin at the first Fair Haven Day Photo/Elaine Van Develde
George Giffin at the first Fair Haven Day
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Day is Saturday. It was a few years ago that the first Fair Haven Day took place on the borough’s centennial celebration.

Since then, the borough has lost some of its longtime residents who everyone knew in one capacity or another. They were some of the faces of Fair Haven.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day honors two of those people who were there on the first Fair Haven Day, proud longtime Fair Havenites and icons: Life member of the Fair Haven Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, Pat Topfer; and ever-popular RFH science and dance teacher extraordinaire, George Giffin.

The featured photo on the Fair Haven Day event announcement today included a popular longtime resident and friend to the borough, Ben Hamilton.

RIP, Ben, Pat and Gif. You are remembered.

R-FH Area Weekend: Fair Haven Day & Canterbury Fair

The tents are in place. The stage is set. Fair Haven Day is Saturday, and organizers say they’re set for a full Fair Haven Fields.

With the event starting at 3 p.m., there will be food (picnic, seafood and desserts), live music, kids’  games, bouncy rides, fireworks and more.

New this year is a climbing wall, brought to the fields by the Monmouth County Parks System and sponsored by Fair Haven business Canyon Pass Provisions. The wall can e climbed by kids 8 and up.

For the adults, new this year is a bottomless white or red glass of wine for $30.

The Fair Haven Business Association is providing a magician to entertain kids and face painters.

Music, provided by Stone Bullets, River Road Band, RipTide and Juke Box Criminals, will begin at 3 p.m.

Beer, wine and sangria can be purchased starting at 4.

Ground rules: No dogs, outside alcohol, personal tents or grills/open flames. And attendees are asked to please clean up after themselves.

Click here to purchase food and beverage tickets and for more details.

Also on Saturday, in Rumson, the tradition of the annual Canterbury Fair continues, rain or shine.

The fair, set on the grounds of St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The fair features a petting zoo, clowns, balloons, cotton candy, face painting, games and a children’s chance auction.

In addition to the famous white elephant sale, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods, gently used children’s games and clothing, homemade gourmet treats, plants, flowers and books for all ages will be sold. There will also be a silent auction tent.

Grilled food, lobster salad luncheon, baked goods, coffee and tea will be served.