Saul High to host annual Country Day Fair this weekend

On Saturday, the W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences will host its annual Country Fair Day on the school’s distinct campus, located at 7100 Henry Ave. in Roxborough.

Saul physical-science teacher Alyssa Schafer said she helmed the event, which has grown from its smaller roots in the 1940s, for the past two years.

“The event was originally called ‘Demonstration Day,’ and it really highlighted what the kids were learning in class,” she said. “They were giving horse-handling and sheep-training demonstrations, and things like that.

“We’re trying to keep some of that going on, and this year, we’re expanding into a craft sale. We’ve also shifted the focus to a fundraising event as well.”

A fundraiser

The fair will feature a silent auction for items including Phillies tickets, family passes to the Philadelphia Zoo and gift cards for several local restaurants. Participating vendors will also donate a portion of their sales to the school.

Local radio station 95.7 Ben FM will broadcast live from the outdoor event that features an array of food trucks and vendors, a petting zoo, moon bounce and other games and activities.

Schafer said the goal is also to raise awareness for Saul, the largest public agricultural high school in the country.

“It’s basically just a way to highlight the school, what we do here and the kids, and trying to get more money into the school to try and improve what we do here,” she said. “Even locals in the area, [and those] who have grown up in Philly, don’t know that we exist.

“So, we’re just trying to get the word out that we’re a farm school in the Philadelphia Public School District, and we’re pretty unique.”

The fair, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine.