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Agricultural fairs or "country fairs" originated in New England, according to the International Association of Fairs & Expositions.

The idea was "initiated" by Elkanah Watson in 1811. IAFE explains that Watson, a "New England patriot and farmer," organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society and hosted a fair in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. "It was not a market, and was more than just an exhibit of animals." Prizes of up to $70 were awards for "the best exhibits of oxen, cattle, swine and sheep."

This hour, we hear how those traditions are carried on in Connecticut.

1 of 4Marla Calico2 of 4"Famous" fritters can be found at the Southington Apple Harvest Festival.John Atashian3 of 4Garlic & Harvest Festival-goers grab garlic-infused bites from hundreds of vendors.Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival4 of 4Tammi Worsham (right), chair of the Backyard Beekeeper Association's outreach committee, hosts a booth at the 3rd annual Honey Harvest Festival at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens.

Plus, we'll preview three harvest festivals in our state, including the Southington Apple Harvest Festival and the Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem.

For a full list of this year's agricultural fairs in Connecticut, click here.

Beyond The Big E, here are the fairs and festivals coming up in our state:
Harwinton Fair (Sept. 30-Oct. 2)
Southington Apple Harvest Festival (Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and Oct. 7-9)
South Windsor Apple Festival (Oct. 1)
Portland Agricultural Fair (Oct. 7-9)
Riverton Fair (Oct. 7-9)
Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem (Oct. 8-9)
Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival (Oct. 14-16)
Mystic Apple Festival (Oct. 22-23)

GUESTS:
Marla Calico: President & CEO, International Association of Fairs & Expositions
David Lapreay: Event Coordinator, Southington Apple Harvest Festival; Director of Recreation, Youth & Senior Services, Town of Southington
Paul Travaglino: Co-Chair, Honey Harvest Festival; Advisory Committee Member, Bartlett Arboretum
Dave Harkness: Co-Founder and Event Coordinator, Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem

Agricultural fairs or "country fairs" originated in New England, <a href="https://www.fairsandexpos.com/History-of-Fairs">according to the International Association of Fairs &amp; Expositions</a>.
The idea was "initiated" by Elkanah Watson in 1811. IAFE explains that Watson, a "New England patriot and farmer," organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society and hosted a fair in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. "It was not a market, and was more than just an exhibit of animals." Prizes of up to $70 were awards for "the best exhibits of oxen, cattle, swine and sheep."
This hour, we hear how those traditions are carried on in Connecticut.
1 of 4Marla Calico2 of 4"Famous" fritters can be found at the Southington Apple Harvest Festival.John Atashian3 of 4Garlic &amp; Harvest Festival-goers grab garlic-infused bites from hundreds of vendors.Connecticut Garlic &amp; Harvest Festival4 of 4Tammi Worsham (right), chair of the Backyard Beekeeper Association's outreach committee, hosts a booth at the 3rd annual Honey Harvest Festival at the Bartlett Arboretum &amp; Gardens.
Plus, we'll preview three harvest festivals in our state, including the Southington Apple Harvest Festival and the Garlic &amp; Harvest Festival in Bethlehem.
For a full list of this year's agricultural fairs in Connecticut, <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2022-07-28/want-to-catch-an-agricultural-fair-in-connecticut-heres-a-list">click here</a>.
Beyond <a href="https://www.thebige.com/">The Big E</a>, here are the fairs and festivals coming up in our state:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://harwintonfair.com/">Harwinton Fair</a> (Sept. 30-Oct. 2)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southington.org/ahf/">Southington Apple Harvest Festival</a> (Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and Oct. 7-9)</li>
<li><a href="https://allevents.in/events/south-windsor-apple-festival-free-admission/200022643684155">South Windsor Apple Festival</a> (Oct. 1)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.portlandfair.com/">Portland Agricultural Fair</a> (Oct. 7-9)</li>
<li><a href="https://rivertonfair.org/">Riverton Fair</a> (Oct. 7-9)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.garlicfestct.com/">Garlic &amp; Harvest Festival</a> in Bethlehem (Oct. 8-9)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/396565715796586/396565725796585">Glastonbury Apple Harvest &amp; Music Festival</a> (Oct. 14-16)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2928516070781118">Mystic Apple Festival</a> (Oct. 22-23)</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Marla Calico: President &amp; CEO, <a href="https://www.fairsandexpos.com/">International Association of Fairs &amp; Expositions</a></li>
<li>David Lapreay: Event Coordinator, Southington Apple Harvest Festival; Director of Recreation, Youth &amp; Senior Services, Town of Southington</li>
<li>Paul Travaglino: Co-Chair, Honey Harvest Festival; Advisory Committee Member, Bartlett Arboretum</li>
<li>Dave Harkness: Co-Founder and Event Coordinator, Connecticut Garlic &amp; Harvest Festival in Bethlehem</li>
</ul>

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

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