Fair Weather
The Season of Agricultural Fairs is Nigh
Late summer marks the beginning of fair season in Maine. From country music bands to pie-eating contests to crocheting demonstrations, there’s usually something for everyone at these festive annual events. If you’re not worried about overdosing on sausages and candy apples, you could even try a different fall fair each week. Between Fryeburg and Blue Hill, the combination of whirling rides, fried food, and scrambling pigs will have you coming back for more. Windsor Fair
Running from August 26 to September 3, the Windsor Fair serves as the perfect end-of-summer treat. Transition into fall by getting excited again about apples and pumpkins — the two fruits compete for prominence when the fair plays host to both the Apple Queen pageant and the annual Giant Pumpkin competition. And, of course, you want to see both. Luckily, the organizers have foreseen your dilemma and have adjusted the schedule of events accordingly, so you can make it to both attractions. Country music groupies can two-step along with Trick Pony, Marty Stuart, and Debbie Myers & The Redneck Rodeo throughout the week — because no country fair would be complete without a little honky-tonk thrown into the mix. Add a full midway, numerous agricultural and craft exhibits, and the excitement of horse racing and you have an ideal Labor Day afternoon (or two). Admission is $6 to $8. 207-549-7121. www.windsorfair.com
Blue Hill Fair
Don’t be surprised if you find Wilbur the pig strutting around the Blue Hill Fair in this small coastal town. He could be anywhere — playing with other animals at the “Zuckerman’s Farm” exhibit or getting his game face on in the Sue Wee Pig Racing competition. Pigs are only part of the experience at this well-orchestrated event held August 30 to September 3. Jim and May Davidson, entering their fifty-first consecutive year as fair superintendents, are seasoned veterans who certainly know what goes into throwing a fair. In addition to the midway, exhibits, and animal-pulling events, you can go see the llamas and alpacas on display. This fair also features the terrifyingly named Imperial Hell Drivers, an Auto Thrill show. For those seeking a tamer thrill, purchase a seventeen-dollar wristband on Monday night and become eligible for “millions of dollars worth of rides” (or however many you manage to cram in between the hours of 3 and 9 p.m.). This deal is for mechanical rides only, in case you were thinking of hopping on a llama’s back. Admission is $5 to $7. 207-374-3701. www.bluehillfair.com
Oxford County Fair
By the time the Oxford County Fair rolls around kids will have reluctantly retired their bathing suits and sunscreen to reenter the world of backpacks and buses. They’ll perk up if you find some time to head to Oxford for the fair’s 160th annual exhibition, held September 12 to 15. Junior bullriding is a new feature, so your kids can work off some of that pent-up energy when they sign up for this calf-riding event, or they can climb aboard the Ferris wheel for a bird’s-eye-view of the good times below. If you’re feeling invincible, or maybe just lucky, Oxford is the place to be — enter the He-Man Contest and test your strength or stop by the new trackside betting parlor and test your luck. The Raggedy Attic features demonstrations ranging from rug braiding to quilting to crocheting. The Sky Riders, a team of professional trampoline acrobats, will perform on Wednesday, September 12. Trust us, your kids will leave refreshed and ready to hit the books. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and up (except Friday, when it is $8), $2 for students 6 to 12 years old. Parking will set you back a mere $2. 207-743-9594. www.oxfordcountyfair.com
Farmington Fair
The town of Farmington, located along the scenic Route 27, always features autumn foliage as its main attraction. But even the most avid leaf-peepers will want to pause over at the Farmington Fair, if only to continue peeping from atop the Ferris wheel. You can experience this bird’s-eye view all week long — the fair runs from September 16 to 22 — and then take a spin on the other rides that make up the extensive midway. Visit the exhibition halls and pick out your favorite pieces of art or crafts before the winners are made official at the Sunday judging. Demonstrations also abound at the fair, from welding at the blacksmith shop to chainsaw-carved wood sculptures to beekeeping. Nights delight with down-home tunes from local Maine performers. And don’t put away your wallet just yet, especially if you’ve gone the entire fair season without winning a prize at the game booths. Try your luck at the basketball toss or the duck shoot-out for a chance at a giant stuffed frog for your sweetheart to lug around for the rest of the night. Admission: adults are $5, children 8 to 11 are $1, 7 and under get in free. Parking is $2. 207-778-6083.
Common Ground Country Fair
Those who disdain fried food and Tilt-a-Whirls will find the perfect antidote in Unity at the Common Ground Country Fair, held September 21 to 23. Hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), the fair serves to showcase organic Maine foods and fine crafts as well as livestock exhibits. Make your way to the Fleece Tent and chat up the spinners and growers to learn how your favorite fall jacket gets made. The Children’s Area of the fair hosts the Vegetable Garden parade as well as various arts and crafts projects to keep the kids entertained. Don’t worry, adults get their own vegetable celebration, in the form of a Seed Swap — bring your seeds and be ready to share. Once you’ve gone home and completed your planting, you can look forward to a lasting reminder of the celebration of rural life. Admission is free for members of MOFGA, adults (13 to 64) pay $10, elders (65+) $8, and children (12 and under) are free. 207-568-4142. www.mofga.org
Cumberland Fair
The coy tagline of the Cumberland Fair, painted alongside one of the halls, reads simply “Always in September.” Apparently this modest selling point has proved successful, as the fair enters its 136th season this year, from September 23 to 29 in Cumberland. The fair features a full midway, craft exhibition hall, and a range of animal exhibits (some unplanned, like the birth of a calf one year). Try not to fall in love with the chubby bunnies or skittish goats in the 4-H area, since your children will already be begging for one of their own. On Sunday night, make your way over to the premier T-Bar-T Bull Riding event that kicks off this year’s fair, where professional bull riders from Maine to Las Vegas compete. The large craft exhibition hall is not to be missed, with wares being showcased or sold. Escape from the bustle of the fair by relaxing in the sample massage chair. Fairs are all about enjoying the moment, but don’t forget to plan ahead and buy a pair or two of the mittens or sweaters for sale in the hall. Admission $7 (Monday to Thursday), $9 (Sunday, Friday, and Saturday), $2 senior citizens (on Tuesday and Thursday), children eight and under are free. A weekly pass is $35; parking is $2 daily, $5 for the week. 207-829-4856. www.cumberlandfair.com
Fryeburg Fair
The Fryeburg Fair, from September 30 to October 7, is billed as “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic.” This prize-worthy event may be your last chance at a fair for a while, so make sure you do it right. Defend your status as country music connoisseurs when you attend this week of concerts — Haven Quint, Jenny Paquette, and Vince Vance & the Valiants all make appearances. The Whoopie Pie contest is one of the week’s kick-off events, so be sure to sample one of Maine’s favorite desserts. And while the holiday season may seem a long way off, it’s never too soon to start crafting those decorations. Stop by the Christmas Tree exhibit for a wreath-making demonstration every two hours. But the fair doesn’t stop there: you still have to check out the Flower Show, Friday’s fireworks display, and the ongoing harness races. And if you’re lucky, the changing colors along Route 113 to Fryeburg will be well worth the price of admission: $6 (Monday through Friday), $8 (Sunday, Saturday, and last Sunday), and children under twelve are free. Parking is $5. 207-935-3268. www.fryeburgfair.com
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