En Ka's Annual Fair Returns to Town

It's a rite of passage; a town ritual.

The En Ka Fair is back in Winchester beginning on Friday, May 20 and continuing on Saturday May 21. Equipment is moving into place. Rides are lit at night. Tents are up. The food service volunteers are counting hot dogs, hamburgers and lobster rolls. Organizers have everyone's favorite activities on hand and Rockwell Amusements, the company that provides the rides, has some new attractions. 

Co-chairs from the En Ka Society, a women's organization that started as a high school sorority in 1902, Nancy Powers and Nancy Hickey have been braving inclement weather all week to see that everything is put into place by Friday evening when the fairground opens.

"It takes scores of En Ka Society volunteers and hundreds of community volunteers to make this happen," said Powers. "We are so grateful for all their work and talent. This is our principal fundraiser. We distribute grants to non-profit applicants serving the community of Winchester through direct services, new programs and modest capital requests. As an event the fair lights up young faces and the faces of those that are young at heart. Memories are made on Enka weekend. "

Hickey agreed saying, "All the work that goes into this is worth it. It's become something that each generation grows up with and then returns to with their children and grandchildren. It's a special event with 76 years of tradition behind it."

Some of that talent is transformed each year into a quilt. Made by En Ka's Quilt Committee members, it is taken home every year by the raffle's lucky winner. There is a 50/50 raffle drawn three times splitting the proceeds from the $5 ticket between the winner and the En Ka Society.

Harold Fera and Rockwell Amusements have worked hand-in-hand with the Society to return some favorite rides and to introduce the Euro Bungy, the Wind Glider, Orbiter and 1001 Knights for older kids. As usual the quintessential fair ride, the ferris wheel will loom above the activity below.

Young children will have their own world of fun with the mini jet, circus train, mini- roller coaster, the Polar Express and the iconic merry-go-round.

Under the tents, children will find face painting, candy land's penny candies, henna tattoos, dime toss, pole fishing and try their hand at blowing up a balloon with a water gun to win a prized stuffed animal.

On Saturday, May 21 the Enka Parade will leave the high school parking lot at 9  a.m. Many of the 40 organizations walking and riding in open cars have received funds from Enka. Others are there as good neighbors whose presence in town is felt throughout the year. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Marching Band will take their places representing some of Winchester's youth.  

Tickets are sold  prior to opening on Thursday, May 19 from noon  to 6 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on the grounds in addition to availability during open hours. A sheet of 50 tickets is $30. A single ticket is 75 cents. Food is purchased with cash only.