The Ladies’ Village Improvement Society hosts its annual fair later this month, on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their headquarters, located at 95 Main Street in East Hampton, honoring a tradition that’s been happening since 1896 and serving as the organization’s largest fundraiser each year.
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s fair sees unique partnerships with four community organizations in an effort to help celebrate and promote the heritage of the East End as well as the history of the nation. With a force of more than 300 volunteers and featuring more than 30 complimentary activities for children and families, according to a statement from LVIS, the fair will include everything from a silent auction and face painting to pony rides and pencil portraits.
“We are so excited for this year’s upcoming fair,” says Lauren Betesh, who serves as chair of the LVIS fair. “We are partnering with four village organizations: Guild Hall, the East Hampton Library, the Garden Club of East Hampton and the East Hampton Historical Society.”
With over 300 volunteers and several collaborations with community organizations, the LVIS fair serves as the society’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps to welcome the summer season. (Left photo by Doug Young; right photo by Miles Bouckoms)
Each organization and nonprofit collaboration will bring several free activities to the fair’s itinerary, all taking place on the LVIS grounds. Activities will include a pencil portrait session with artists Scott Bluedorn and Nick Weber, a signing of the Declaration of Independence and paper doll dress-up, buried treasure sand art with East Hampton Library, flower bouquet-making with the Garden Club of East Hampton, and native birds of prey experiences and demonstrations with the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center. Other featured attractions will include face painting, glitter tattoos, a petting zoo, a carousel sponsored by Ralph Lauren, pony rides, plant sales, birdhouse decorating, green bean planting and vintage clothing and accessory sales.
“First and foremost, we want this to be a community give-back event,” Betesh says. “This is a thank-you event to the community that we love and cherish so much. So, what we did to make that happen was we created so many offerings for children and families that are totally free.”
Silent auction items will include a wide range of goodies from golf and tennis gear, to house and garden items, to food, wine and clothing pieces. Live performances will be from Eukaladies, Bonac Shanty Crew, Certain Moves and Nora Conlon, a recent LVIS scholarship recipient. Featured food trucks will include A La Mode Ice Cream, Bon Bon, Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee, Lenny’s Hot Dogs, Lobster Roll and North Sea Tavern.
“I’m just so excited to celebrate America’s 250th, and most importantly, the community that we really cherish, and we’re so thankful for,” Betesh says. “It’s such a special place for families and for people to just congregate in such a special community at large, and just cherishing that, and especially as a summer kickoff event to the season, I just think it’s such a fun time.”
The LVIS 131st Annual Fair will be held rain or shine on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend.
