Across from Mount Holyoke College, almost 30 booths had been crowded onto the little Town Common.
Dolly R. Cupak, 11, of Granby, samples some fried dough at the Columbus Day fair in South Hadley Monday.SOUTH HADLEY – Some may look forward to Columbus Day as a day to snooze, but in South Hadley, Monday was a day that popped and sizzled like a can of carbonated soda.
Pedestrians took over, as they do every year, pouring onto Route 116 in couples, in groups and singly, old and young, pushing baby strollers, carrying kids on their shoulders, past dozens of tag sales on their way to the crafts fair.
“I come every year,” said Wanda Koch, of Easthampton, emerging from a tag sale at United Methodist Church. “I love it.”
Across from Mount Holyoke College, almost 30 booths had been crowded onto the little Town Common. Fairgoers munched on hot dogs, fried dough, chili, apple dumplings and pulled pork as they perused the crafts.
“I do my Christmas shopping here,” said Patricia Reynolds, of Granby.
At the other end of Route 116, the high school parking lot offered activities for children, including a fire truck and two giant Bounce Houses donated by Allied Waste.
In between, people on front lawns were selling everything from toys to a bridal gown to a car – with a snowplower attached! At corners, homemade signs promised even more tag sales on the side streets.
“I like the crafts and my husband likes the flea markets,” said Judy A. Gilman, of Belchertown, who has been coming to the fair for 15 years.
Cars were parked in the breakdown lane for a good two miles, even in the spots that on ordinary days are reserved for buses. Those vehicles still on the road crept along to make way for people criss-crossing at will.
“My favorite part is that you see everyone in town here,” said Karen Motyka, of South Hadley
“It’s like a family reunion,” said her husband, Ronald.
Among the babies in strollers was 11-month-old Boston Lauziere, of Chicopee, whose sister, Kaylee Krajewski, 12, said her favorite food at the fair was the chicken pot pie.
Flaxen-haired Juliet Lagone, 4, and her mother, Amy, came in matching black outfits. Juliet enjoyed making a ghost at the children’s arts-and-crafts booth, said her mom.
Fifteen-year-old Brittani Aldrich, of Belchertown, said her favorite stop at the fair was the jewelry. McKinley A. Chase, of Ludlow, also 15, said food was the main attraction.
Karen Motyka said a woman came all the way from Becket to pick up six apple dumplings at the United Methodist booth, where she and her husband were working.
The Motykas said the fair typically draws 10,000 people.