Fair opens Friday
Jon Gulliver
Special to the Star-Herald
For 156 years the Northern Maine Fair has been one of the biggest drawing events in Aroostook County and fair organizers are hoping the 157th edition, which kicks off on Friday July 29 in Presque Isle, is no exception.
Back this year is Smokey’s Greater Shows to run the midway, six harness racing cards, livestock competitions, nightly music, and other fair favorites like the demolition derby, but there are some new additions to entice folks to head out to the fairgrounds.
Fair President Kevin McCartney says this year the fair and music festival is looking to educate as well as entertain.
“Lil’ Farmers at the Fair” is a new free, hands-on exhibit for children which gives them the opportunity to experience the agricultural process from beginning to end. The selfguided farm tour goes through five miniature barns, an apple orchard and a vegetable garden. The children see the animals and plants that farmers raise and take the products ultimately to market.
Lynwood Winslow, treasurer of the Northern Maine Fair Board of Trustees said, “This is a tremendous learning experience for kids, who sometimes get little or no education on agriculture.”
The Northern Maine Fair has also established a new educational series for fair-goers this year. The four programs to be presented are organic farming, harness racing, Maine fish and game issues and alternative energy.
“Education has always been a strong part of the fair’s mission, but we need to do more than simply display, we must explain,” said McCartney.
Also new this year, a brand new, fully functioning kitchen has been installed into the Agricultural Exhibition Hall. This new facility will allow for more cooking contests and live demonstrations, as well as provide a wonderful stage for educational lectures and 4-H speaking contests.
“The Agricultural Exhibition hall has always been one of the staples of an agricultural fair,” says Christa Galipeau, director of the hall. “We are constantly striving to honor this important tradition, while keeping an eye to the future.”
Fair officials also say the Historical Pavilion and Living History exhibition will be better than ever.
There is also daily free entertainment. This year’s headliner animal act will be the Marvelous Mutts. All of the dogs are shelter rescue animals, and perform feats ranging from dock diving, dancing, and spectacular jumps performed by World Championship Finalist Frisbee winners. This team has been seen on ABC’s Good Morning America, the CBS Early Show and the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge. There will be two shows performed daily during the week, and three shows on the weekends.
Also performing during the fair will be the Lucky Bob Show, a highly skilled comedic juggler. He is guaranteed to amuse and entertain you with the perfect blend of magic, juggling, and comedy. Lucky Bob will be performing immediately after the Marvelous Mutts show each day, twice during weekdays, three times on the weekends.
For those who like the rides there will be four bracelet days where $20 dollars will allow you to ride over and over again for a certain period of time. They are Sunday, July 31, 4 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, August 2, 3 to 9 p.m.; Thursday, August 4, 4 to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, August 6, 12 to 5 p.m.
Winslow says more than 300 volunteers sacrifice many hours to make sure the fair is an enjoyable experience for all. He adds the fair gets good community support with more than 200 local businesses as sponsors.
“People believe in keeping the over 150 year old tradition alive,” he said.
The 157th Northern Maine Fair and Music Festival runs July 29 through August 6. For more information log onto www.northernmainefair.com
