When It Rains, Folks at Fair on the Square Pour on the Smiles

Lawrenceville’s 4th Annual was held on Saturday on the grounds of the . And despite the bursts of showers, quite a few community members, volunteers, vendors and friends pitched their tents, umbrellas and grateful grins making it still a festive occasion.

Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson welcomed visitors to the fair. The planning committee consisted of Carolyn Wright, Sylvia Culberson & Lisa McNeill, who did not allow the rain to yield the doorprize giveaways on the town square stage. Participants also signed up for a treasure hunt where they visited participating downtown merchants and the Farmers Market in search of clues.

Performers who took the stage at the gazebo included Center City Dance, Lupita Sosia’s Mexican Dances, Charlie & Foxtrots and JRenee.

A little drop or two of rain on your snacks never hurt anybody either. That was the impression given by the carnival food lovers in attendance. Jonathan Mayfield of Lawrenceville couldn’t resist stopping for a bite. “I was riding through town and my son wouldn’t let me pass by the Kona truck.”  There were a variety of treats and eats to include foods from Eggrollin’, Roy’s Royal Dogs, Monster Funnel Cakes, Marie’s Italian Ice, Make A Cupcake and many more.

Gerri, owner of Diamonds Boutique, was thrilled to say her jewelry business still “did well." Varsha, owner of Va Di handmade jewelry and beads from around the world said that it was her first year at the fair, but like Gerri the drizzle did not stop her. “The rain is alright with me. It’s nature," she said.

Plant vendor, Ms. Patel, danced in the rain as she showcased her Pitcher Plants cultured in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Asia. Patel said that Pitcher Plants eat mosquitoes, yellow jackets, and many more types of bugs . Patel added that even with the rain, she had managed to sell five of her plants because they also “eat ex-boyfriends”. 

Other businesses and charities on the square were Life South Community Blood Center, Stephanie, Emma and Paul volunteers for First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville donated bottles of water. Julia and Chuck Massey representing , came out to spread the word about Spectrum and invite everyone out to the Gwinnett Fairground Fall Festival held on Oct 6th. The festival will include 5k and 10k race-prequalifiers for the Peachtree Race.

The Gwinnett Braves passed out t-shirts and shared stories about the team having the “l" and “the hardest working."

In addition to providing food, prizes and friendly, family fun to the community, one important initiative for this year’s Lawrenceville Fair on the Square was to support the 2012 Charity, Central Gwinnett Cluster Foundation. A percentage of the fair’s proceeds will go to the foundation.

Lisa Johnson, principal of along with Maryanne Grimes, principal of  and volunteer Michael Gaul celebrated Central Gwinnett High School's victory Friday night by cheering … we’re 2-0 now!” while selling raffle tickets that benefit educational grants and scholarships from the Central Gwinnett Cluster Foundation booth.

There was much to see and enjoy at Lawrenceville's Fair on the Square. Did we miss anything?  Tell us in the comment section below.