Cottam Fall Fair and Horse Festival successful despite rain

Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Cottam Fall Fair and Horse Festival attendees, who left plenty of footprints at Ridgeview Park Sept. 15.

The event’s 57th anniversary was hosted by the Rotary Club of Cottam, celebrating the change in seasons. Weather didn’t prevent the vendors and event hosts from getting set up and running, and attendees came in the hundreds.

“It’s nice to see people come out and people have their own input, and they can really grow from that,” said Jamie Heinrich, president of the Rotary Club of Cottam. “I think it’s important, having kids of my own to show them the importance of volunteering and community involvement.”

Heinrich has been involved with the club for nine years.

Throughout the day, there were many activities for people to enjoy. Festivities began at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast for everyone to wake up with. Then vendors opened their booths, the Essex Medieval Heritage Society held duels and free demonstrations for children, and Sarah Parks Horsemanship had cone weaving and barrel races by her students.

Attendee Denise Neuman had not been to the fair in “about 40 years,” and the last time she was at the event, her uncle and aunt had horses participate. Her son was part of the Medieval Society’s demonstration, and Neuman wanted to experience the modern state of the festival with her granddaughter. The Neumans said they were most looking forward to “the parade and the pony ride.”

Like the Neumans, many attendees were most excited for the parade at noon, which highlighted the horses and agricultural members of the community, along with local political representatives, and various other groups.

After the parade, afternoon activities included free face painting, pony rides, and bouncy castles, along with a BBQ lunch and a chili cook off.

Using the donations from the Fall Fair and Horse Festival the Rotary Club of Cottam  support local sports groups for children and other activities. They will also be selling Christmas Trees for charity later in the fall.