Fair Haven Day 2020 Cancelled: September Oktoberfest-Fair Haven Day Day Gala Set

May 12, 2020 Elaine Van Develde

A Fair Haven tradition that was started less than a decade ago — eight years ago, in 2012, to be exact — has been cancelled this year, due to COVID-19 pandemic safety considerations. But, a new combo event is on the horizon.

“After significant consideration, The Foundation of Fair Haven and the Fair Haven Day Committee have decided that due to the unprecedented times we are all experiencing, Fair Haven Day 2020 will sadly be cancelled,” Fair Haven Borough Council President Susan Sorensen said.

“Our goal for 2020 is to refocus all of the committee’s energy toward a combined Fair Haven Day and the Oktoberfest fundraiser on Sept. 12,” Sorensen, who has chaired both the Fair Haven Day and Oktoberfest committees since the borough’s centennial celebration in 2012. “This event will have the flavor of both events, but will be a fundraiser so it will be a gated event as is Oktoberfest. There will be music, food trucks, adult beverages, kid activities and, yes, even fireworks.”

Mayor Ben Lucarelli at the 2017 Fair Haven September Oktoberfest
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

All the fundraising, Fair Haven Days and Oktoberfests started with the Fair Haven Centennial celebration. The Centennial in June of 2012 started with a parade and ended with a big celebration at Fair Haven Fields, culminating in fireworks. The Centennial was so well-received that residents overwhelmingly favored the borough hosting an annual such event. So, Fair Haven Day was borne out of the Centennial.

Former Mayor Mike Halfacre started the Fair Haven Centennial Committee a couple of years prior to the event. Sorensen took over in 2012. She then became president of the Foundation of Fair Haven, a 501c3 nonprofit designed to raise funds for future Fair Haven Days and assistance in funding essentials for events/items for the borough without the funds coming out of the municipal budget.

The first Oktoberfest was held following the June Centennial in October of the same year. It was billed as the kick-off of fundraising events to support the next and future Fair Haven Days. Sorensen chaired that as well.

Oktoberfest originated as an adults-only event in the parking lot of Smart Start Preschool on River Road. After the cold weather freezing a out a couple of Oktoberfest dates, and it once being moved to November, the event was moved to September in the day time at Fair Haven Fields, nixing the adults-only theme and including children. Oktoberfest in September features games, music, food trucks and more. Fair Haven Day has more of a family barbecue theme, but includes much of the same. This year, for one time, they will be combined.

So, Sorensen said, “Mark your calendars for Sept. 12” for a September Oktoberfest-Fair Haven Day.