The 43rd Annual Riverhead Country Fair drew crowds to downtown Riverhead Sunday, despite overcast skies and a light morning drizzle.
New this year were kids’ activities in Grangebel Park. Baldy the Magician put on a show with tricks and jokes that thrilled children and parents alike. A petting zoo by Double D Bar Ranch in Manorville included a miniature horse, goats, a lamb and more.
At opening ceremonies on the town showmobile, a color guard from the Riverhead VFW presented the colors. Siblings Giuliana Brandi, 5, and Joseph Brandi, 7, of Center Moriches led the the Pledge of Allegiance and the Harmonic Tides barbershop quartet performed the National Anthem. Rep. Lee Zeldin joined Riverhead Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith and the town board on the showmobile to officially kick off the 2018 fair.
The Daughters of the American Revolution presented Keith Caputo of Center Moriches with its community service award. Caroline Stepnoski made the presentation on behalf of the organization, citing Caputo’s fundraising for his Helping Makes You Happy nonprofit. His fundraising work has provided care packages for members of the military stationed overseas, support for a local Boy Scout whose mother passed away, bus transportation for disabled children to attend camp, support for children undergoing chemotherapy, assistance for the homeless and more.
Nitework, a band featuring horns that has a sound reminiscent of Chicago — they opened up with that group’s classic hit, “Beginnings” — took the showmobile stage after the opening ceremonies concluded.
A three-piece jazz band led by Bob Barta of Riverhead on banjo, John Klumpp of East Quogue on trumpet and John Lovett of Riverhead on tuba, traveled around the fair entertaining visitors.
The agricultural and homemaking competition featured a 398-pound pumpkin and award-winning vegetables, jams and jellies and pies.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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