Friday was Island Fair Day at camp! This Nor’wester tradition is celebrated only once a summer, during the first half of Second Session. And what a memorable day it is!
Lots of smiles during booth set-up on Mission Point!
After enjoying a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls with icing, granola, bacon, and a beautiful red and blue berry medley, campers got to work preparing for the day. Some headed down to Mission Point to work on building booths for Carnival; others went to the Craft Shop to design and paint signs for the booths. Meanwhile in the Lodge, other camper groups were making tasty and innovative pies, while others were constructing milk carton boats for the afternoon’s regatta.
Pie baking is a favorite camper activity during the morning of Island Fair.
Once the busy morning of preparations was completed, the afternoon activities kicked off with the Island Fair Fun Run! Campers ran or walked the mile-long course individually, in groups, or in three-legged pairs. Unit mates waited at the finish line to cheer on all the participants. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a sweet treat of refreshing watermelon slices.
Campers enjoyed splashing in the waters off South Beach during the afternoon of Island Fair.
Then it was time to head down to the waterfront for the kayak races and the milk carton boat regatta. Everyone along the beach cheered for the paddlers and the intrepid milk carton boats! And following the races, we all enjoyed some beach time together.
After dinner, the Island Fair fun continued with the announcement of the pie awards and sampling of all the winners. Next, the whole camp adjourned to Mission Point where booths of all kinds were set up for Island Fair Carnival. Each unit developed a unique theme for their booth and advertised with bright signs and catchy slogans. There were booths featuring fortune telling, beauty treatments (at the “San Juan Beauty Salon”), and a “speakeasy” masquerading as “TSA pre-check.” There was even a zucchini museum!
The Vagabonds offered “counseling services” at their Island Fair Carnival booth.
Once the twilight began to fade, it was time to wrap up the festivities. Campers deconstructed their carnival booths and cleaned up their areas, sweeping Mission Point for any lost and found items and picking up litter. Tired but elated, everyone headed back to their units to wind down from a fun-filled day. Altogether it was a fantastic Island Fair Day here on Johns Island!