Local Life

Fair Remembrance: Food To Go Now & Then

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Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair take out booth 2019 … Photos/Elaine Van Develde

It’s something to steep in … the thought of any sort of Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair food. Many do all fair week long. This year the steeping is limited to visions of fried seafood combo, steamers and clam chowder dancing in their heads. They’re the kind of dreams a seasoned fair goer needs to dive into.

In fact, some would likely jump in a vat of it if they could. Fair food. Lines for the dining room extend down River Road. What used to be referred to as the Hot Dog Booth, now The Out Back, has its grab-n-go delights, too, like those snappy hot dogs and crispy fries. And the ice cream drips all the way home that you frantically try to catch, as to not miss a single drop.

But, lest you forget that to hit the take-out window on your way home from the fair to bag up that goodness and bring a bite and a waft home. That would be a crime. So, yes, this year is a criminal one. The lack of fair take-out is, well, so unfair.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors the fair kitchen and take-out booth. It’s a shot from the summer of 1995.

They sold the usual bevy of fried seafood, that shrimp salad, mussels marinara for $3 and quarts of that famous fair clam chowder for $6. The sandwiches were always made on white bread or toast. The side options were always fried eggplant or French fries. Nothing more fair than some fair food to fill your own kitchen with comforting fair scents and tastes. Truly unfair this year. Start counting the days ’til fair 2021.

Order up! Recognize the ladies taking orders? One is no longer with us. But both were pioneer women of the Fair Haven First Aid Squad. One is still a member and you’ll see her in the dining room at the fair. Who’s at that window these more recent years? Just looking at this photo can’t you smell that fried seafood in the air already? Your favorite?

Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair take-out booth of 1995
Photo/Elaine Van Develde