Rockport’s beloved Old Sloop Fair continues Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18 with the traditional fair events: the silent auction, art mart, white elephants, book nook, handknits and handcrafts, jewelry, bake table, snack bar, and much more.

The silent auction features furniture, antiques and collectibles. All of the events will be open from 9:00 to 3:00 both days. The bake table is Saturday only. Silent auction bidding continues until 7:00 Saturday, and winning bidders can pick up their items from 8:00 – 10:00 Saturday evening or 11:30 – 5:00 Sunday July 19.

The Old Sloop Fair is one of the oldest and largest church fairs on the Massachusetts North Shore. The First Congregational Church was organized in 1755. The building that is now the church sanctuary was constructed in 1804 and originally served as the town meetinghouse. The tall steeple and white facade close to the Sandy Bay shoreline resemble a ship’s sail when seen from the sea, and the nickname “Old Sloop” was conferred by the fishermen. The steeple contains the Town Clock. Proceeds from this year’s Fair will go toward the church’s operating expenses and the restoration and preservation of the sanctuary building.

The church is now engaged in a Capital Campaign to fund further preservation and restoration of the historic meetinghouse and to improve safety, accessibility, and usability of the church’s buildings, which are used for a great many church and communty functions. Click here for more information about the Capital Campaign.

Directions:
If you are coming by road, drive north on Route 128 into Gloucester, across the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge, and through two rotaries to the first traffic light at the bottom of the hill. Turn left onto Route 127 and drive 4 miles to Rockport. Continue slightly right through the “five corners” intersection onto Broadway (Route 127A). At the stop sign with a lighthouse in the middle of the road, turn left and then bear left onto Main Street. The First Congregational Church is on the left at the corner of School Street, the next intersection. There is parking on School Street and on Main Street.

If you are coming by train, take the Rockport branch of the Newburyport/Rockport line to the end. This commuter rail line originates at Boston’s North Station and passes through stations in a dozen communities before reaching Rockport, taking about 70 minutes. The Rockport train station is about a half mile from the church. To walk to the church, turn right on Railroad Avenue upon leving the station, walk .2 miles to the “five corners” intersection, and turn slightly left onto Broadway. Walk .3 miles and turn left onto School Street (Rockport Public Library on corner). The church is on the left.

12 School Street, Rockport, MA.
978-309-9667