Well, that’s a wrap for the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2022.
The tradition holds strong. The fair was, as always, a midway full of fun, food, festivities, reunions and camaraderie, holding true to the sentiment that all’s fair and always has been, for more than a century in Fair Haven at fair time.
Take a look at the photo gallery below for a glimpse into those moments — the reunions, faces and places — that make the Fair Haven Fireman’s Fair a microcosm of the fairest of all in Fair Haven those eight days signaling the end of summer. (Be sure to CLICK on one photo in the photo mosaic below to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)
Millie Felsmann making cotton candy at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa early 1990s Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Millie Felsmann and her candy apples back in the 1960s Photo/courtesy of Monica Felsmann
This Retro Pic(s) of the Day story was originally published on Aug. 25, 2015. It is being run again in honor of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair and the Felsmann family to honor them in light of their recent loss of Millie Felsmann’s son, John, or “Smokey,” husband to Trudy and dad to his fair-raised children. He didn’t like getting his picture taken, so we will respect that and honor him via his family. This is how they concoct and serve up those sweets at the fair …
When it came to cotton candy — that fluffy spun light blue and pink sugar on a cone that melts in your mouth, on your mouth and many times on your hands, too — Millie Felsmann was the pro at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Don’t get us wrong, here. We know that Millie also commandeered the candy apple making. Yes, Candy Bennett was there, too — for many hours a day, making and selling those candy apples, apropos name and all.
Well, she was, after all, Candy, the candy apple lady. Yes, Candy had a lot do do with those candy apples — but Millie was the boss. She, along with her troupe of kids and Candy, Betty Acker and Mrs. Frank, started work on those apples as early as 6 a.m.. And, even further back, to 1965 or 66, Mrs. Topfer made those apples, too.
All was fair for sure as the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair opened this past weekend.
This summer marked the first time since pandemic times that there was a full return to fair normalcy with the reopening of the famous dining room and full-on fair sit-down feasting service.
Most of all, there was feasting on full-on fun, tradition and reuniting. That’s because all’s always fair at the end of the summer in Fair Haven.
Take a look at the photo slideshow and photo gallery below to get a glimpse into those fair opening moments … (Click on one photo in the gallery to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!)
— Photos/courtesy of Fair Haven Fire Department Media
A classic of a reprise in honor of the start of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair set-up and 59-year member John Felsmann (pictured with Tom Kirman), who recently passed away.
As the photo caption title on this Red Bank Register photo by Carl Ferina says, “Turf’s Up!”
The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair came back to town after a forced pandemic respite last year.
And it came back with gusto, even though the seafood was sorely missed by many. The Grab Bag Booth a/k/a Balloon Booth made its exit, fair grounds left, this year, too. It’s gone for good. No more buying prizes to compensate for losses at the games of chance. Waaaaaa! But, all was very well with the fair’s return.
Save for the twister threat that banished Firemen’s Night on Wednesday, thousands flocked to the fair just about every night.
Many of the sights have already been seen. But, here’s R-FH Retro’s glimpse into fairing well at the fair … (Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll! Enjoy!)
Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2021 Photos/Elaine Van Develde
Carousel rider at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1990s Photo/Elaine Van Develde
The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair opens tonight after a rare one-end-of-summer hiatus due to COVID-19. And with the fair known as the largest in the state has always come a lot of tradition.
There are, however, some fair traditions that have and have not endured through the years. Do you know what they are?
Tom Kirman and daughter Rebecca work the Big Six booth at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair in 2014. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
In anticipation of the return of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair, we take a look back again at a game of chance, its history and families that spin together.
Most often, working at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair is a longtime family affair.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day today is an ode to just that, in addition to featuring those behind the booths.
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
Fred Rogers
And sometimes that meeting comes every day with the same person on the same street for about half a century. What is left stays … in the neighborhood heart.
“How ya doin’?” It’s what I heard in a friendly, mellow cadence from across the street pretty much every day for most of my life. It was a soothing, subtle reminder that I was home and a good neighbor was always there, looking out, never judging, nitpicking or naysaying. Caring, instead, with a knowing smile and a few simple words.
Knowing. Knowing that we were all there for the same reason. Neighborhood. Simple gestures. That’s all it really takes. And take it to microcosmic heights unknown is what this one neighbor did. Daily.
The neighbor was Conrad. Conrad Decher. The forever Fair Haven guy from my 54-year block was laid to rest on Monday. His spirit, however, will always be fluttering around. The flutter. It’s gentle. It’s not grand, not intrusive. Still, it’s deliberate. It stays — a subtle, soft, strong, consistent gesture. Like a heartbeat. After all, here, in the heart, stays the neighborhood.
All’s fair, after all! It’s the post-quarantine, pandemic state-of-emergency news all Fair Havenites at heart, near and far, have been waiting for: The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair will return this year.
The highly-anticipated news, that was expected by mid-June came via the fair chairmen via social media within the past hour or so:
“We are thrilled to be able to announce that after review with our members, vendors and of course NJ safety protocols, 2021 will see the return of the Firemen’s Fair — Friday, August 27 – Saturday, September 4 (closed Sunday)! The fair will continue traditions of rides, game booths, Outback and our 50/50 raffles. More details to be announced at a later time. Our Seafood Dining room will *not* be open at this year’s Fair but will be back in 2022! In the meantime, look forward to planning your Fair week and when the call for volunteers goes out, please join in the fun!”
Here’s a glimpse back to the last fair in 2019 to boost the good-time memories … (Click on one to enlarge and scroll!)
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