The weather finally cooperated, and Randolph Township and the Rotary Club of Randolph successfully hosted the 16^th Annual Country Fair at Veterans Community Park, on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“My favorite thing about the Randolph Country Fair is that it brings the community together from all walks of life,” said Program and Events Coordinator Kristina Garlick.

Families in attendance enjoyed children’s playgrounds, pumpkin painting, magic shows, giant bubbles, inflatables and a video game truck. Vendors sold their products and companies advertised their businesses at numerous booths.  The fair provided something for everyone no matter their age, background or self-identification.

Brightview Randolph, the local senior living facility, was on site to share information about the many amenities available to its residents. “We see a lot of residents, a lot of families that have had their parents at our community,” Community Sales Director Valerie Crackel noted.

In addition, the Friends of Randolph Animal Pound sold $1 raffle tickets to help fund vet bills for animals in need.

Fair organizers have long encouraged entrepreneurship, allowing young vendors to manage their own stands and sell their own products. Shivangi Sinha, for one, is a 10-year-old who started her own business, Sunshine Slime. After developing a love for making slime, Sinha wanted to share it with others. “I started to make more [slime], and then I asked my mom, and now I’m here,” Sinha said. The fair provided a place for her to do this as a young entrepreneur with her own booth, gaining skills in customer service and selling her product to members of the community.

The fairgrounds were filled with a plethora of familiar faces, both vendors and attendees, such as Dr. Richard Newman of Newman Orthodontics, Mark and Grace Clevett of Candylicious, RMS Vice Principal Michael LoRicco and RHS junior Brandon Nieves, who was there supporting Randolph skateparks.

Randolph Mayor Lou Nisivoccia was on hand as well, mingling with fairgoers with a smile on his face. “The nice thing about community events is that they bring all of Randolph together,” he said.

“The great thing about Randolph community events is the diversity and inclusivity,” added Russ Crespolini of Brundage Park Playhouse.