While impressed with his obvious wealth and lace making skills, the crowd decided they’d try their luck elsewhere. But first, they applauded and thanked de Villeverts, aka Tim Nealeigh, for his fascinating reenactment of an arrogant French lace merchant who, fleeing the French Revolution, found himself in the unsophisticated frontier America in the late 1700s.
“We always make it a point to see the French lace maker,” said Karen Titone, of Springfield, who, with her husband Drew were attending the last day of the annual Labor Day weekend event. “He stays so in-period. It’s wonderful. It’s really a history lesson.”
The weekend of history lessons, which included authentic clothing, tradespeople, battle reenactments and entertainers drew at least one day of record attendance, according to fair officials. Sunday’s crowd brought a continuous stream of cars to George Rogers Clark Park, even as closing time neared.
“We attend a lot of these, but the Fair at New Boston is the best,” said Katheleen Nealeigh who, like her husband, was dressed in the finest 18th century French couture. The couple have reenacted at the Fair for nearly 25 years.
“The committee works very, very hard at making this as authentic as they can,” she said.
That hard work has made the fair bigger and more popular each year, said Drew Titone who has attended the fair for years.
“I know a lot of people come from a good distance to be here,” he said. “It’s really nice to see something this significant and nationally known to come here. And you can be a part of it.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.
About the Author