Though their handshakes were cold, it wasn't for lack of sincerity.

A who's who of candidates for political office, both challengers and incumbents, touted their platforms and handed out goodies as they campaigned at Sunday's Harvest Fair in Newton Centre.

Despite blustery weather and cold temperatures, the candidates sought to engage fair visitors who were otherwise occupied by vendors, kiddie rides and a variety of musical performances.

School Committee candidate Geoff Epstein stole the show, at least among the politicians, with use of two kid-clowns to drum up support.

While the clowns entertained the kids, Epstein was able to converse with voters about things that aren't quite as funny in Newton: his concerns about the School Committee.

Epstein said that most of the people visiting his booth and interested in his campaign were happy to hear some new ideas and wanted a more open board.

Another School Committee challenger, Andrew Gottlieb, took a more low-tech approach, doling out pencils with his name and Web site printed on them.

Mike Striar, challenger to Mayor David Cohen for the city's executive office, had several treats to attract potential voters to his booth. Striar handed out T-shirts, badges, fliers and Frisbees emblazoned with his red, white and blue campaign logo.

Striar was more than willing to engage them in conversation, many of whom immediately brought up the schools. He said many parents and kids alike complained about the physical condition of the schools, particularly the bathrooms. Also, the class sizes are growing larger each year.

Striar's abutting neighbor at the fair, Anatol Zukerman, an at-large alderman candidate, also made use of giveaways to lure children and handouts for adults.

While children dipped into the candy jar, adults picked up a variety of pamphlets outlining Zukerman's ideas for Newton. Among them were blueprints for a renovated Newton Centre. In his plans, Zukerman has proposed that that area would become a multipurpose space featuring grass and trees, as well as a city meeting house.

"I'd gladly give up my seat for the cause," said Sanders.

Elsewhere in the Centre, incumbent Ted Hess-Mahan and challenger Leslie Burg, who are challenging Zukerman and Greer Tan Swiston, shared a table and stood on a street corner distributing balloons. Hess-Mahan and Burg have endorsed each other and continue to campaign similar platforms.

Though many candidates opted for booths, Swiston tried a different approach.

Swiston roved among the crowds, mingling and listening to residents' concerns.

She said that approach, moving to the voters rather than waiting for them to approach her, was more effective.

Similar to Swiston, Gail Glick, a School Committee incumbent up re-election, opted for the wandering-not-waiting technique.

Also making the rounds was Mayor David Cohen. Cohen didn't distribute any "vote for me" information, but was there to shake some hands.

"It's a great community event ... I'm happy to participate [in] building community," he said.

Though most candidates were cheerful, a dejected-looking Tom Sheff was also seen making the rounds among friends. Sheff said that he was taking his loss in a bid to become Newton's next mayor reasonably well, but was still disappointed.

Daniel E. Black can be reached at dblack@cnc.com or 781-433-8216.