Retro Fair Haven Folk Singers’ Song of Simple Joy

Fair Haven Folk Singers of 1970s
Photo/courtesy of Mary Croft

Sing it! Row that boat ashore, Michael, Mary, Karen, Lynn, and whoever else has an oar. And, whatever you do, don’t rain on their parade! You couldn’t if you tried.

Back in the early 1970s, nothing stopped the Fair Haven Folk Singers from strumming, singing and parading — not even the threat of more dreaded rain, like today.

This is another street view of the troupe full of festive pre-teens, clad in the Folk Singers’ red, white and blue regalia of shorts or pants, a white shirt and that gingham sash. Patriotic, why yes. After all, it was around bicentennial time; and if the costume fits …

Armed with three chords, guitars and some tambourines, the parading students of Barbara Leslie took those chords, outfits and voices to the streets in many a Fair Haven parade.

We’re thinking this one was Memorial Day, but it could have been the parade that kicked off the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair back in the day. Remember those? Well, at least that’s what Barbara’s son, Frank, told us.

No matter on logistics. The important thing is that this group of dedicated little song-and-strum birds walked themselves over to the Leslies’ iconic Whistle Stop once a week for $2 per hour guitar lessons. Barbara, admittedly, taught the kids three chords, and a little fancy picking interspersed if you so dared, and made some magic in a very simple way for the bunch of them. And they got a little local fame mixed in, too.

Some fancied themselves to be the next Joni Mitchell. Others thought maybe those three chords would get them a gig with David Cassidy. Ahem. I digress … And most, really, just plain looked forward to some simple playing and singing. The practice came naturally, as the purpose was one that had magical powers to ease adolescent angst better than a chill pill.

So, appropriately dazed, directed and dressed up with somewhere to go, these kids had something simple to do that made their hometown niche all the better a place, thanks to Barbara Leslie.

It’s something to sing about. Play it again, Barbara! We’re strumming to your tune!

Were you a Fair Haven Folk Singer? Favorite song learned? What pre-teen pain did being a Folk Singer ease?

— Photo/Jack Croft, courtesy of Mary Croft