It’s somewhat uncertain when Pickersgill Retirement Community held the very first Country Fair. According to seasoned board member, Jinx Barton (46 years), and veteran admissions director, Janice Harris (25 years), one thing is for certain: the Country Fair is an annual social occasion not to be missed! It is speculated that perhaps the fair began in 1959 when Pickersgill moved to Towson. Mrs. Barton recalls it was originally a resident-run play-day for grandchildren and sometime prior to 1971 the Pickersgill’s board of directors adopted the event planning and operations. Best guess —
The Annual Pickersgill Country Fair has been a delightful local “happening” for about 5 decades, rain or shine!
Fast forward:
It was a huge turnout at Pickersgill’s Country Fair 2017! Nearly 400 guests, including residents, family members, neighbors and volunteers of all ages, flocked to Chestnut Avenue on a beautiful autumn Saturday. There was much to enjoy; music, food, fun and shopping! The bluegrass sound of the Satyr Hill Band and the a cappella harmony of Port of Call Barbershop Quartet delighted the crowd from 10 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. Classic carnival fare was in abundance; hot dogs, snacks and a bounty of bake sale confections. There was perpetual amusement for the young and young at heart; Cowboy Joe the balloon sculptor, the Oriole Bird!, a petting zoo, face painting, pony rides, as well as a $1-a-ticket raffle for a pair of Raven’s tickets. For those who like to treasure hunt – Pickersgill’s famous jewelry sale, flea market, book tables and white elephant shop were major attractions. Guests lined up an hour before the fair opened in anticipation of finding a special piece of furniture, a perfect knicknack or maybe a beautiful bauble to take home.
Mr. Chuck Daniels, winner of the Ravens tickets, came to the Country Fair with his wife to shop at the White Elephant Sale. He said ” I’ve never really won anything before!” What a happy surprise , congratulations Mr. Daniels.
What would a fair at Pickersgill Retirement Community be without a visit from Mary Pickersgill’s great-grand nieces! Jacquie Myers and Marylin Melton arrived from out of state on Thursday in time to host an afternoon tea for all Assisted Living residents who moved to Pickersgill in the past year. On Friday they visited new residents in the Decker Center where they gave out handmade blankets and pretty ditty bags stuffed with soaps and lotions. And at the fair on Saturday it was easy to spot the sisters despite the crowd as they were dressed in period costumes (circa 1812) complete with sun bonnets.
The fun-filled day would not have been possible without help from volunteers and sponsors who made The Pickersgill Country Fair a success!
Many thanks to: GOLD SPONSORS: BB&T Bank & Remedi Pharmacy Services SILVER SPONSOR: PNC Bank BRONZE SPONSOR: Sodexo PATRON SPONSORS: Brightview Landscaping & Bollinger Energy Supply FRIEND SPONSOR: Harlan/Barnes VOLUNTEERS: Chatty Crafters, Towson University National Speech Language Hearing Association students (resident escorts), Maryvale Preparatory School students (face painting), University of Maryland School of Pharmacy students (resident escorts) BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Auwaerter, Jinx, Barton, Rosemary Berry, Ann Brooke, Jana Burch, Marsha Carroll, Jane Croft, Fran Finnegan, Nancy Flower, Jane Heill, Ellen Hennessy, Carol Long, Ann Mengels, Sandra Ortwein, Jean Smith, Faye Tully COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS: Pat Blake, Don & Nancy Campbell, Catherine & Edward Cronin, Lenore D’Adamo, Dick & Elinore Davidson, Peggy Eck, Patricia Gates, Al & Margaret Hayes, Nancy Hess, Don Howard, Bill Hoyt, Paul Iliff, Helen Kemp, Jean Lilliquist, Bill Mangles, Bill & Trena Peters, Jack Smith, Mae Strom, Bobbi Trammell, Sally Tullis, Marylin VanTassell, Bill West
Although the fair is first and foremost a friend-raiser, we are happy to announce that this year’s Country Fair raised nearly $9,000 to benefit the Pickersgill Benevolent Care Fund.
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