Dave Ballatori, RFH Class of 2006, helps out at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
It’s time for some more warm summer thoughts mixed with a little peek into a popular scene and its people.
We’re also sort of answering a challenge.
When we ran our Retro Pic of the Day not long ago that featured Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair regular at the Big Six tent, lifetime Fair Havenite Tom Kirman, it ended up getting more hits than any story or post in the, albeit brief, history of Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect — more than 1,000 and counting.
We also posted a little blurb announcing that fun fact. Dave Ballatori, RFH grad and co-worker of Kirman’s at the tent, gave his own, let’s say, five cents worth on the post and Kirman’s apparent popularity.
If you’ve frequented Fairwinds Deli over the years, as many have, you probably know Dave.
So, let’s see just how popular he is. Will his photo get more clicks or come close to Kirman’s click count?
The Fair Haven Dock is depicted as an iconic spot in Fair Haven in this Mike Quon-designed banner. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
A child biking through town is one of three images chosen by artist Mike Quon for the Fair Haven welcome banners. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
The new Fair Haven welcome banners were designed by artist Mike Quon. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
A Fair Haven welcome banner at nightfall. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
You may have noticed by now that there’s a new look for the light pole banners that line Fair Haven’s own Main Street — River Road.
The banners started appearing in August, the result of a long-thought-out debate over how to best welcome visitors in an aesthetically pleasing way with a lot of local heart.
What a committee ended up deciding was to call on a famous Fair Havenite who has a strong love of the borough and a signature artistic talent to match it — Mike Quon.
“We wanted the banners to be different,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. “Looking around at what other towns have done, we found that most had the classic blue fabric with white print and once iconic image. We also didn’t want to re-do what we had done for the centennial (which was to hold a contest among the kids and choose a winner). Those banners were blue and white and depicted the Albertina (the signature steam ship on Fair Haven’s logo).
“The committee was looking at clip art and all sorts of other things, none of which seemed to be quite the right fit. Then Mike came to mind. We ended up with the perfect solution — a nice aesthetic to celebrate Fair Haven and a local artist.”
Last year, he gifted Fair Haven a couple of renderings of iconic spots in town, one being the Fair Haven Dock.
“An especially great thing about these very unique banners is that Mike’s colors are so cheerful,” Lucarelli said. “They will be particularly appreciated as a warm kind of greeting in town when it’s cold and all the leaves are off the trees.”
Quon’s time and talent were donated for the project. The borough paid nominal expenses, such as printing and materials costs.
To learn more about Quon, check out his website at quonart.com.
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