Given current political and economic events, I foresee small-scale local food production becoming much more important in American life. Here in New England, there are countless agricultural fairs every year, ranging from Topsfield, the longest running fair in the United States, to town grange fairs that set up for one weekend. The number and continued popularity of these events prove that Americans of all backgrounds and lifestyles remain keenly interested in the skills required to produce food and clothing. Family farms, co-ops, and homesteads may soon be vital to our survival. The skyrocketing cost and diminishing availability of oil will raise the price of transporting food long distances to unsustainable levels. The economics of production will change, and the regions that prepare for this farthest in advance will suffer the least.
"Encampment fairs," as the film's description says, may be "a vanishing piece of Americana." But small-scale food production itself will not disappear so easily. The Grange Fair - An American Tradition presents an honest and inspiring picture of farming life, both realistic and lyrical. As a film, it is touching, entertaining and educational. But if it moves a few suburban young people to investigate 4-H, or a community to support its local small farms, The Grange Fair - An American Tradition will do more good than most documentaries can hope to achieve.
The Grange Fair - An American Tradition is a Penn State Public Broadcasting Production and part of the Minutes of History® series. The DVD has a feature running time of 86 minutes with color, stereo and 6 x 9 anamorphic widescreen. Because this is a television documentary, the DVD does not include many extras. English subtitles are available, and there are trailers for six other Inecom Entertainment films, including Westinghouse, EXPO - Magic of the White City, Horses of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Train Stations - Restored and Revitalized, Johnstown Flood, and Silent Wings - The American Glider Pilots of WWII. I want to see them all.
Watch the trailer for The Grange Fair - An American Tradition on the movie's official website. The DVD is available for pre-order and will be released on February 19, 2008. All regions, not rated.
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