Annual United Congregational Church Fair And Road Race Introduce New Events

Little Compton’s  will celebrate 52 years of its annual fair this Saturday, July 14, on the Commons. The church will also celebrate the 32nd year of its 4.8-mile road race. A summertime tradition for many in the region, hundreds are expected to turn out for both attractions.

This year, the church will kickoff its weekend fun a day early with a concert from folk-rock artists Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. The music is appropriate for all ages and begins at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Call the church office at 401-635-8472 to reserve tickets.

All proceeds go to benefit the church’s outreach programs, including their active ministry in Haiti, and their operating budget.

On Saturday morning, Rev. Richard DenUyl said the festivities would begin with the kid's road race at 8:30 a.m. Adult races start at 9 a.m. For information on how to register, click here.

The race is approximately 4.8 miles, starting on the Little Compton Commons on South of Commons Road. The course heads west on Swamp Road, north onto West Main Road, east on the Meeting House Lane and ends at the finish line on the Commons.

The male and female first place winners in the open field receive a $300 cash prize, Curtis said, and if a new course record is set, they split a $500 bonus prize.

According to DenUyl, between 500 and 700 runners typically turnout for the race and several thousand line the streets throughout the day on Saturday to patronize the annual fair that lasts from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

"Basically it's all about community," said DenUyl. "It brings people together, and not necessarily just church people. A lot of people show up who don't go to church at all and really make this a community event."

The fair is free to the public and dozens of food and craft vendors set up booths to entertain and stuff fair-goers of all ages, said DenUyl. 

"This year we are introducing a mechanical bull for teenagers because we didn’t feel that they had enough do,," added DenUyl. "This is a fair in the broadest sense of the word."

Contests, like the annual pie-baking contest dozens of children’s activities, including face painting, a frog toss, a dunk tank and a bouncy castle will all be available this year.

The fair also includes the church’s white elephant room, a bake sale, a jewelry table and a silent and live auction.