Memories of last year’s muck aside, the annual Hillsborough Rotary Club fair has begun in 80-degree sunshine in the parking lot next to the Hillsborough Promenade shopping center on Route 206.
The fair will run through Sunday next to the Lowe’s store. The six-day carnival features rides from Majestic Midways, nightly entertainment, games, eight food and 28 other local vendors where stores, Realtors and service organizations will tout their wares.
The fair runs nightly from 6 to 10. Friday night, kids can ride all night after paying for one wristband, and from 2-8 p.m. Sunday rides will be at reduced price.
Last year’s rainy month — a precursor to the Tropical Storm Irene that swept through the area at the end of the month — forced a day’s delay in opening while Rotarians threw down mulch and hay to absorb the mire.
The fair is the Rotary Club’s major fundraiser for year, raising money for the club to donate the rest of year to high school seniors’ scholarships, the Women’s Resource Center, food bank and Project Graduation, among other causes.
“Hopefully, the weather cooperates,” he said. “Last year was the worst rain season we ever had. But this year’s weather looks good, and we’re hoping for great turnout.”