Fair promoted as educational tool
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
AG COMMISSIONER MEETS FAIR PRESIDENT — Commissioner Walter Whitcomb of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources was in Aroostook County Friday, taking part in a various events in Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield. While in the Star City, he made a stop at the Northern Maine Fair, visiting with fair officials and checking out the Lil Farmers Market area. Pictured from left are: NMF President Kevin McCartney; Carlie McLean, senior natural resource policy advisor for Gov. Paul LePage; Commissioner Whitcomb; and Jessica Blackstone, fair board member in charge of the Farmers Market.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Fair officials held a special luncheon Friday at the Agriculture Exhibition Building to discuss the educational opportunities available at this year’s nine-day event, slated for July 27 through Aug. 4.
Representatives of the fair board present for the gathering included: President Kevin McCartney; Treasurer Lynwood Winslow; Jessica Blackstone, director of the Lil Farmers Market; Roger Hoffses, grounds and building maintenance; and Barry Bartley, second vice president. Also present was Kim Smith, chair of the Historical Pavilion, as well as several other guests.
“We’re here to reflect on the past and where we’re going in the future. This is the most important social event in northern Maine,” said McCartney.
McCartney said “We need to remind ourselves this is the grand event of northern Maine. There’s something for everybody.”
Efforts are being made to make the annual event more attractive to children.
“We’re working to bring more children’s events. We want kids to come here and see something that may potentially change their lives,” he said.
McCartney said part of the problem has been the divide between the midway and grandstand area and the agricultural venues.
“The problem’s been the ‘fair’ has typically been over there (pointed toward the midway), meanwhile agricultural education has been 100 yards the other way,” said McCartney. “We’ve been working to change that, beginning with revamping this building. We now have a stage, cooking contests, guest speakers and are enhancing our art program.”
McCartney credited the creation of the Lil Farmers Market for attracting a large number of visitors.
“Six to eight months prior to last year’s fair, it was built from scratch. We had 1,500 kids — 5,000 people altogether. It was a good turnout,” he said.
He said he’s seen an increase in people viewing the livestock area, noting “it’s now easier to get there.”
This year a blacksmith shop is being added, following the success of last year’s demonstrations by a local artisan.
“Steve Akeley will be back with a horse education program, offering lectures with work horse demonstrations. The local 4-H organization is adding chickens,” said the fair president.
Other popular events returning this year will be princess and pirate parties, the Miss Northern Maine Fair competition, the lumberjack roundup, the demolition derby and Paul Bunyan look-alike contest.
“This year we’ve added a kids’ category. Last year we had several children dress like Paul Bunyan,” said McCartney. “This speaks to a fair that is working hard to attract young people to and get them interested in the fair.”
Blackstone explained there will be even more for children visiting the Farmers Market.
“We’ve added a grain bin and opened a barn for maple sugar,” said Blackstone. “Last year we had 1,500 over nine days, including four very rainy days.”
She said it’s important to provide educational opportunities for youth.
“We wanted to create a fun, educational experience and family event,” said Blackstone.
Smith said the Historical Pavilion, located in the Forum, is a wonderful opportunity to learn about various communities and businesses and how they’ve evolved.
“It’s not just historical societies and museums but businesses who want to share their rich history, with hands-on historic artifacts and things for children to experience days gone by,” said Smith. “We’ll have a lot of fun, interesting things.”
McCartney wished to thank all the people who give of their time to make the event a success.
“A lot of energy is focused on this fair, with many people working to add a lot of new things while enriching the older things. We’ve reduced the price of bracelet nights and have at least three new rides coming with Smokey’s Greater Shows. The demolition derby is returning, with an added event, the Tuff Truck obstacle course,” said McCartney. “We also have exotic animals this year.”
McCartney offered guests a tour of the Lil Farmers Market. Joining the group for the tour was Walter Whitcomb, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, and Carlie McLean, senior natural resource policy advisor for Gov. Paul LePage.
“It’s so creative here. This is very impressive,” said Whitcomb, as he looked around the various structures in the Farmers Market.
“This is really neat — a great educational opportunity, not just for children but everyone,” said McLean.
McCartney said this year’s fair booklet can be found online at the Northern Maine Fair Association’s website.
“By having it online, anyone anywhere can access it,” said McCartney.
