ROCHESTER - The Rochester County Fair, after losing several thousand dollars this year due to inclement weather and low ticket sales, has set a new start date and plans to introduce new activities at next year’s event. The fair, which has historically been held during the third weekend of August, will be moved up and held on Aug. 8 to 11 next year. 

The Pine Street Property Usage Committee hopes that the change will allow more residents to come to the fair who might otherwise be out of town moving their children into college. They considered moving the fair dates this year, but needed additional time to confirm that vendors and tractor pullers could still attend. 

During a meeting with the Rochester Board of Selectmen on Oct. 1, committee members were challenged by the Selectmen to think of new possibilities for the fair and its fundraisers.

The committee tossed around ideas for a variety of food-related fundraisers — a clam boil or clambake, a chili or chowder cook-off, a chicken barbecue and a beer and wine tasting — as well as some other ideas, such as a scrap metal drive or a paint night. 

The Pine Street committee has settled on three fundraisers for the next two months. These include tractor pulls on Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 and a bus trip to Foxwoods Casino on Nov. 10. Tickets for the trip will cost $35, and the outing will include up to 55 people. 

The group discussed added fair activities such as a Miss Apple Peach competition, which is modeled after a similar Acushnet competition of the same name.

Another possible change to the fair would be the addition of a pavilion structure to the fairgrounds.

Organizers said there is the possibility of receiving donated materials and labor to construct the pavilion, but neither has been finalized at this time. If a pavilion is constructed, the town would then own the structure. 

Organizers concluded their Oct. 4 meeting by asking committee members to consider which maintenance projects were most essential to address, which things they would like to see, and what activities will be possible with any remaining funds.

They plan to present the results of their meeting to the Board of Selectmen on Oct. 15.