A fair day on River Road

BARRYVILLE, NY — Yulan artist Ken Byrne was among the many vendors selling their wares at last Saturday’s 11th annual River Road Fair.

The fair, which began as the Methodist Church fair, has steadily grown to become a regular stop for folks following the summer flea market and yard sale trail. The church food sale is still a major fundraiser, said Pastor Nancy Vonderhorst.

But the fair has since spread the half-mile length of the road, as vendors’ booths appear throughout and residents join in. Resident Matt Smith said he now purchases items to sell during the fair. Another River Road resident referred to day as his “annual recycling event.”

Byrne donated one of his paintings for a fundraising July 4 raffle to benefit 22 month-old heart transplant patient Aiden Hanley and his mother Melanie Meade. Byrne said community donations and raffle tickets raised $2,500 for the mother and child.