An annual event since 1971, The Hebron Harvest Fair has grown to become one of the largest agricultural fairs in Connecticut with unique attractions, fan favorite food and four days of fun. The Hebron Harvest Fair is produced by the Hebron Lions Agricultural Society, a 501(c)(5) non-profit organization. With professional management and volunteer support from the Hebron Lions Club, net proceeds produced from the Hebron Harvest Fair are used to fund grants that support local and national charitable causes thru the Hebron Lions Charities, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Hebron Lions Agricultural Society is a member of the Association of Connecticut Fairs (ACF) and the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE).
FUTURE FAIR DATES
September 5-8, 2024
September 4-7, 2025
September 10-13, 2026
September 9-12, 2027
September 7-10, 2028
PAST FAIR SUPERINTENDENTS
2023 John Johnson Jr, CVFM
2022 Michael Tarbell
2021 Russell Strumskas
2020 Russell Strumskas
2019 Russell Strumskas
2018 Michael Tarbell
2017 Michael Tarbell
2016 Michael Tarbell
2015 Michael Tarbell
2014 Adam Miclette
2013 Adam Miclette
2012 John Johnson Jr, CVFM
2011 John Johnson Jr, CVFM
2010 John Johnson Jr, CVFM
2009 Steve Beauchene, VMD
2008 Steve Beauchene, VMD
2007 Robert Lee
2006 Robert Lee
2005 Bob Schadtle
2004 Bob Schadtle
2003 Don David
2002 Don David
2001 Richard Spadarzewski
2000 Richard Spadarzewsk
1999 Betty Dove
1998 Betty Dove
1997 Donald Spragg
1996 Donald Spragg
1995 Norman Dorval
1994 Norman Dorval
1993 Aaron "Steve" Reid
1992 Peter Cafazzo
1991 Philip Bradley
1990 Bill Garrison
1989 Michael MacBryde
1988 Michael MacBryde
1987 Ernest Reed
1986 Ernest Reed
1985 Bruce MacBryde
1984 Bruce MacBryde
1983 Charles Barrasso
1982 Bruce MacBryde
1981 Ernest Reed
1980 Bruce MacBryde
1979 Ernest Reed
1978 Ramon Campbell
1977 Leo Tierney
1976 Leo Tierney
1975 Wilbur Dennis
1974 Wilbur Dennis
1973 Wilbur Dennis
1972 Wilbur Dennis
1971 Wilbur Dennis
Fair History
An annual event since 1971, The Hebron Harvest Fair has grown to become one of the largest agricultural fairs in Connecticut with unique attractions, fan favorite food and four days of fun. The Hebron Harvest Fair is produced by the Hebron Lions Agricultural Society, a 501(c)(5) non-profit organization. With professional management and volunteer support from the Hebron Lions Club, net proceeds produced from the Hebron Harvest Fair are used to fund grants that support local and national charitable causes thru the Hebron Lions Charities, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Hebron Lions Agricultural Society is a member of the Association of Connecticut Fairs (ACF) and the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE).
From a small district fair that ran for three days in 1971 and drew a few thousand people on the donated grounds on Wall Street in Hebron, a giant has grown. The detailed history of how it happened has been told many times, so let’s take a look at what it has become in 40 years. The Hebron Harvest Fair originated as a small indoor fair at a local school and was run by the Recreation Council of Hebron.
The Council asked the newly formed Hebron Lions Club to assume sponsorship and operation of the Fair in 1971. The Fair was held on a lot on Wall Street across from RHAM High School. The first Hebron Harvest Fair was well attended and the Fair was registered with the Association of Connecticut Fairs, for the first two years as a district fair, then as a major fair in Connecticut. In 1972, the Hebron Lions Club purchased 84 acres of land on Route 85 in Hebron, known presently as the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds. That year enough land was cleared to put on the 1972 Hebron Harvest Fair. Since that day most of the land at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds has been cleared for the expansion of the Fair. Every year the attendance grew and so did the Fair. Additional 16 acres of land were purchased as the fair steadily grew. Various buildings were built to accommodate the growth of the fair such as; Antiques Building, Arts and Crafts Building, Better Living Building, Department of Environmental Protection Building, and other buildings and animal barns were built as needed.
As the fairgrounds were developed heavy equipment such as a backhoe, loader, skid steer and trucks were purchased. Some equipment was donated by various businesses in Connecticut to expand and maintain the fairgrounds. Currently the fairgrounds is upgraded and maintained on a year round basis by volunteers from the Hebron Lions Club, Hebron Leos Club and many volunteers from the community.
Hebron Harvest Fair is a country agricultural fair featuring animal displays, various food, animal pulls, truck pulls, country music, carnival midway, and something to do for the entire family. With such performers from Nashville, TN as; Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, Michelle Wright, Pirates Of The Mississippi, Shenandoah, Aaron Tippin, Craig Morgan and Ricky Skaggs the Hebron Harvest Fair grew to be one of the largest fairs in Connecticut. The Fair broke all attendance records in 2013 when we lucky to have booked Florida Georgia Line right before they hit it big. Actually, the day FGL played the Fair, they were booking new dates for more than ten times what they were being paid for playing us that day.
Today the Hebron Harvest Fair has grown to be one of the largest fairs in Connecticut. With over 124,000 fair goers attending each year, the Hebron Harvest Fair offers something for everyone. From Dollar (Hebron) Day on Thursday to Senior Day on Friday and with entertainment acts that includes live music, pig racing, the amazing Dock Dogs and high wire acts, there is an opportunity for everyone young and old to enjoy the best fair in CT.
Hebron Lions Club is very proud to distribute profits from the Hebron Harvest Fair to many nonprofit organizations, offers scholarships and many other projects that improve life of the people in our community, state, country and through Lions Club International, the whole world. The Hebron Lions Club would like to thank the community, volunteers and everyone associated with the Hebron Harvest Fair for making the Fair successful.