Kids, go find those frogs, and babies, put on those racing diapers. Grown-ups, rev up that tractor, dust off those boots, and guys – quit shaving those whiskers ‘cause the 16^th Annual Rochester County Fair is back and it is just as Rochestery as ever.

Rochester is home to some of the most scenic byways of Southeastern Massachusetts with its acres of sprawling farms, wildflower fields, and canopies of towering trees. But this rural setting, with its historic legacy of pioneers, hardworking farmers, and grandmas in overalls will switch from picturesque pastoral to badass bucolic when the Country Fair comes to town from August 13 to 15 – and everyone knows it’s not the size of the tractor that matters; it’s how far it can pull the sled that counts.

By this time in the year, some of us just find ourselves craving the familiar ol’ olfactory euphoria caused when the smells of deep fried food, diesel smoke, and livestock combine. And if you are gonna stand around swatting at horseflies, what better way to do it than by watching cow chip bingo to the sounds of revving tractors with a grilled sausage in one hand and an ice cold beer in the other? Oh yeah, that’s right! This year, for the first time, you can come to the Rochester Country Fair – and drink beer.

But beer isn’t all that’s new to the Country Fair this year. On Thursday, August 13 at 6:15 pm, Boston Faneuil Hall Magician & Juggler Robert Clarke, the “one-man sideshow that fits into a suitcase,” will be throwing a bunch of things all at once and catching them in an entertaining and hilarious manner, and aweing the crowds with magic tricks that will have us cow-chipping our pants.

On Friday, August 14, 16-year-old Marion guitarist Aaron Norcross will perform with his band Aaron Norcross Jr. & the Old Dogs from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. He will likely be armed with a full arsenal of gorgeous guitars. Norcross is all about the blues and rockabilly, and he’s been playing the guitar since 2006.

Also new to the fair this year, at 7:00 pm starts the year’s Professional Wrestling featuring a Midget Match, along with returning Gary Eleniefsky of Rochester and regional wrestlers and ladies match.

On Saturday, August 15 starting at 3:00 pm, the Country Fair introduces the New London County Tractor Pullers, featuring the Limited Modified (4,300 lb., 4,600 lb.), the Limited Enhanced Modified (6,500 lb., 6,800 lb.), the Pro Modified (6,700 lb., 7,000 lb.), and for the big boys and girls, the Pro Enhanced Modified (8,700 lb., 9,000 lb.) That’s a lot of weight and a lot of noise.

For this year’s headlining band, the Country Fair is proud to present Vyntyge Skynyrd live, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band hitting the main arena at 7:00 pm.

This year’s theme is “prehistoric,” and there will be activities for the kids such as a dinosaur dig, children’s Bam Bam strong man contest, diaper derby, and a costume contest. There will also be a “prehistoric” photo contest, where participants will submit their old photographs. Personal drawings can also be submitted and will be judged in a separate category.

And then there is the parade. This year’s parade was the parade that almost didn’t happen, due to progressively poor attendance and participation over the years. The Country Fair Committee suggested canceling the parade this year, but reconsidered after the public response was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the tradition alive. The parade, which starts at 9:30 am on Sunday, August 16, and begins and ends at Rochester Memorial School, will also be celebrating the fair’s prehistoric theme, with floats and participants dressed up in costume.

All the favorites will return this year again: the mechanical bull and zip line rides; children’s races, including frogs and babies; lawn mower races; the woodsman competition; and lots of tractor pulling.

See you there, smile for the camera, and don’t forget to read The Wanderer – you might be in it!

By Jean Perry

Good genes, family, and Cape Cod air – these, according to the latest recipient of the Boston Post Cane and her family, are the secrets to longevity for Marion Thomas, 98, of Rochester.

Thomas, born December 21, 1916 and named Marion Henrique by her parents, was presented the Boston Post Cane on Monday, August 3, by Selectman Naida Parker at the Rochester Senior Center, surrounded by four generations of family. Thomas was born and raised in Provincetown, where she was a clerk at a gift shop in 1937 when she met her late husband, a local fisherman. She worked for the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce for 27 years, until the age of 85, just before she moved to Rochester to be closer to her son, Tom Thomas, who resides in Acushnet.

Council on Aging Director Sharon Lally described Thomas as “sharp as a tack.” One of Thomas’ relatives described her as a “lovely lady” because she always took care of others and her family.

“She was a very good house cleaner,” said Laurie O’Neil, Thomas’ great-niece. Tia Marion is how they called Thomas, whose parents both came from Portugal and settled together in Provincetown.

Thomas’ son, Tom, said Thomas had a green thumb, and she left behind a legacy of botanical beauty at her last place of residence in Provincetown.

“Her hydrangeas have been there 60, 70 years,” said Tom. “And they’re still there. And all the roses, all the length of the house.”

Tom also remarked on how Thomas always took care of her self and lived a healthy life.

“She never smoked, never drank, had one cup of coffee every day, as far as I know,” Tom said. He said Thomas’ family all lived long, healthy lives. Her parents lived well into their nineties, and Thomas’ brother lived to the ripe old age of 101.

Thomas’ niece, Kathy Rubbicco, recalled how Thomas would always comfort others and care for them.

“She’s got a big heart. She’s genuine,” said Rubbicco. “Everything she does is genuine.”

It was always all about the family, said O’Neil. And one of the highlights of every year for the family was the Blessing of the Fleets. They were fishing people, after all.

Four generations celebrated with Thomas that afternoon, and they marked the occasion with blueberry pie and chocolate cake after the cane was handed to Thomas. Tom said his mother had no idea all the family would be coming out to celebrate with Thomas and witness her receiving the honor as being named Rochester’s oldest citizen.

“My mother is a very humble lady,” said Tom. “This is, to her, over and above.”

Thomas said she was happy to be living in Rochester these past 10 years and is glad to be nearer to her beloved family.

“I really was alone in Provincetown,” said Thomas, “and I really appreciate what my son did by bringing me here.”

The Boston Post Cane tradition has been going strong in Rochester since 1909 when the now defunct Boston Post sent each town in Massachusetts a cane to be presented to the oldest citizen of each town, and subsequently passed down to the next surviving oldest resident.

The “fine gold-headed ebony stick to be carried by the oldest citizen,” as described by the Boston Post in an August 1909 press release of sorts, was manufactured by J.F. Fradley & Co. of New York, who was widely recognized as the leading manufacturer of fine canes.

The canes are of Gaboon ebony from the Congo, and the ebony was shipped to the United States in logs about seven feet long, which were then cut into stick lengths. It took about a year from the moment the logs first arrived to the final finishing of the cane, completed with a 14-karat gold head with the town’s name inscribed and blank areas for the initials of future cane recipients.

Rochester is one of the remaining towns, as well as Marion, who still has the Boston Post Cane in their possession. Many towns have lost their canes over the years to damage or theft.

The Boston Post Cane was passed on to Thomas after the cane’s last recipient, 100 year old Armand Cournoyer, passed away on April 20, 2015.

By Jean Perry