The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair is in full swing.
It runs through Saturday, Sept. 5. As a mid-week reminder of what it all means to people in the area, here’s a look at a few pre-opening night and opening night photos of the scenery in a different color tone — sepia.
It captures the retro aspect of this longtime tradition — or not. Either way, it’s an interesting perspective. Take a look.
— Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s been 32 years, but I can still see his face and that kooky Brylcreemed hairdo. I can still hear his crazy belly laugh and that signature “Take ‘er easy, buddy!” I can still see him slapping kids on the back, forever clutching his trusty clipboard, pencil perched behind his ear, sweat on the brow and finger wagging.
That’s the vivid, comforting ghost image of Bill Van Develde I still see and hear roaming around on the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds. He was head of the stockroom back in the 1970s and 80s and he was my quirky, big-hearted dad.
Continue reading Going Retro with the Fair Man in the Stockroom
Tonight was the night! It was opening night of the classic Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Friends, neighbors and firemen, new and old, once again forged their connections at the fair touted to be the largest firemen’s fair in New Jersey and probably the country.
The weather was fine and so was the company. Take a look.
(And don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge for the full view of the slideshow! Enjoy! See you at the fair!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Grab a bag … or a booth — a Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair booth … and remember those who run it or ran it.
That’s what we’re doing. After all, what would that tradition be without the people who run and work the fair?
So, first in this fair booth series, today’s Retro Pic of the Day honors some fair ladies at the Grab Bag Booth, otherwise known as the balloon ladies. When kids don’t win a prize at a game booth, this is the place the parents take them to get some fair token — like a balloon.
Just as the RFH Class of ’80 celebrates 35 years since graduation, they’re setting up for the oh, so traditional Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
And, we found, from a lifetime Fair Haven fireman, a classic photo of fireman meets guys from the Class of ’80 as they’re touring the firehouse and attempting to be junior firemen. Note that most of the guys in the pic had parents in the Fair Haven Fire Department.
So, yes, the Retro Pic of the Day honors Fair Haven firemen, future firemen and the scouts of the Class of ’80.
The photo comes from Ray Bennett, lifetime fireman, and, yes, that’s him on the right. The boys: Frank Leslie, Jim Kirman (?), Troy Brandon and Doug Lang.
Thanks for the pic, Ray Bennett!
On the cusp of reorganizations in Rumson and Fair Haven, we thought it might be appropriate to take a look back at warmer days of re-elected Fair Haven Councilwoman Susan Sorensen enjoying the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect had just started making the photo rounds when we ran into Sorensen, her husband, Peter Maher, and friends at the fair.
Congrats on soon being sworn in to your second term on New Year’s Day, Susan!
While we’re on a Fair Haven Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary roll, we figured we’d keep it going with a Retro Pic of the Day that hones in on some warmth with yet another “fair” lady, Millie Felsmann.
In this snapshot, Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair circa 1993, she was up to her usual cotton candy spinning and serving.
The booth she is pictured in is now called the Out Back. Then it was just referred to as “the hot dog booth.”
What’s your favorite goodie from that booth?
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 Sizzler has been a mainstay at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair for many years.
How many, we’re not quite certain. But, we do know that it was there, and usually on the front grounds in the 1970s, maybe earlier.
Anyone? This year the ol’ classic was in the back near none other than the Zipper, another standard.
This editor still hasn’t gone on the Zipper. I know, chicken! Oh, well. Once a sissy …
These two ladies have been a staple at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair for probably close to half a century — not that they look it.
They really don’t. In fact, Patty Overman and Ann Dupree pretty much look the exact same as the first day they set foot on the fairgrounds.
Who knows the name of the booth the two have manned for years?
As the cold sets in, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair and the end of summer seem like a distant memory.
But it always warms the heart to take a look back and forward to the next one.
Most people reappear manning the same booths from year to year. Tom Kirman is always at this one. Do you remember the name of it?
As the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair was closing up on its final night, the otherwise routine, tame evening was a bit rocked when a pedestrian was clipped by an SUV while crossing the street in the crossing lane in front of the firehouse.
Police cars quickly converged. While the young girl sustained minor injuries and was helped up and across the street, the driver of the vehicle that struck her, Rumson resident Dawn L. Capalbo, was placed under arrest and charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving, according to the Fair Haven Police report.
Were you there? R-FH Retro just happened to be. Have any photos of the recent or distant past in the area? Send them over to us at evd@rfhretro.com.
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