Village Fair Days returns for its 45th edition

The 45th annual Village Fair Days will be held July 27-28 on the Village Green in New Milford.

The two-day event, sponsored by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

The fair, which draws thousands of visitors, will feature live entertainment, bingo, kids' bouncy houses, an extensive food court and almost 200 vendor and community booths.

One important change this year is that pets will not be allowed on the Village Green during the fair.

Signs are posted all around the grounds as a reminder.

"This change is for the safety of everyone, people and pets alike," according to fair chairman Bob Hanna, the Chamber president.

Admission is free.

Handicapped parking will be available behind town hall at 10 Main St.

Following is the schedule of events:

FRIDAY, JULY 27

10 a.m.: Opening ceremonies on stage will include greeting by the Village Fair Days chairman, singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America," ribbon-cutting ceremony and crowning of king and queen.

10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Arts, crafts, business, food and non-profit booths open.

10:45-11:45 a.m.: RecOn (New Milford Parks & Recreation) on stage.

11 a.m-4 p.m.: Amber Alert Child Identification Program in lower level of town hall. Use Church Street entrance.

Noon-10 p.m.: Bingo with the Knights of Columbus at south end of Village Green.

Noon-12:30 p.m.: New Milford Sports Club on stage.

12:45-1:30 p.m.: New Milford High School dance team on stage.

1:45-2:15 p.m.: TheatreWorks on stage.

2:30 p.m.: Tour of town hall with Judge of Probate Martin Landgrebe. Meet on the front steps of town hall.

2:30-4 p.m.: Music by Sgt. Lefferts Phony Hearts Club Band on stage.

3-8 p.m.: i95 at the north end of the Village Green.

4 p.m.: Historical tour of Main Street with Bob Coppola of the New Milford Historical Society & Museum. Meet at front steps of town hall.

4:30-5 p.m.: Phys-Ed Health & Performance event on stage.

5:30-6 p.m.: Kathy Henkel Fitness event on stage.

6 p.m.: Children's Fun Run. Three races: age 4 and under; 5-8; and 9-12. Must pre-register at the Village Fair Days staff booth from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

7-10 p.m.: Music with Higher & Higher on stage.

10 p.m.: Fair closes.

SATURDAY, JULY 28

9:45 a.m.: 45th annual 8-mile road race and 10th annual Village Fair Days 5K.

10 a.m.: Fair opens.

10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Arts, crafts, business, food and non-profit booths open.

10 a.m-4 p.m.: Amber Alert Child Identification Program in lower level of town hall. Use Church Street entrance.

10:30 a.m.: Road race awards on stage.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Kicks 105.5 and 106.3 at north end of Village Green.

Noon-1:45 p.m.: Music with the Mighty Conquerors on stage.

Noon-10 p.m.: Bingo with the Knights of Columbus at south end of Village Green.

2:15-2:45 p.m.: Elite Gymnastics Center program on stage.

2:30 p.m.: Tour of town hall with Judge of Probate Martin Landgrebe. Meet on the front steps of town hall.

3-3:30 p.m.: Classic Broadway show tunes with Linda Parker on stage.

3:45-4:15 p.m.: Family and Children's Aid, Playmakers interactive demonstration with children on stage.

4 p.m.: Historical tour of Main Street with Bob Coppola of the New Milford Historical Society & Museum. Meet at front steps of town hall.

4:45-6:15 p.m.: Music with After Hours on stage.

7-10 p.m.: Music with Steppin' Out with Curtis T on stage.

8 p.m.: Scholarship presentations on stage.

10 p.m.: Fair closes.