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It was a chilly day in March of 1851 when a few local farmers
and merchants got together and decided to show off their produce, cattle and
wares to the community. Since those humble beginnings, Fryeburg Fair has grown
to become Maine's largest agricultural fair complete with six days of harness
racing, a farm museum second to none, the world's largest steer and oxen show
and a reputation known throughout North America.
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| President
Roy Andrews |
The 8-day Blue Ribbon Classic has flourished since that first fair when William Walker of Lovell won $3 for the best acre of corn and William Spring of Brownfield earned $1 for the best seed wheat. Today, the early October fair boasts Maine's largest agricultural event held on 185 acres in the Saco River Valley in the foothills of the White Mountains. Fryeburg Fair attracts more than 300,000 people annually.
The fair's growth to eight days has been a gradual one. Trustees voted to expand the fair to four days in 1941 but World War II stalled the expansion until 1945. The fair swelled to five days in 1954, seven a few years later and eight in 1981 when the second Sunday was added. While the fair continues to grow in popularity, officials say they are satisfied with keeping the event at eight days.
The 2006 fair proved to be the third best on record, marred only by a damp start on opening Sunday. We are busy looking ahead to the 157th fair, which starts Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 7. If you're planning on joining us, mark your calendar for the old-time fair enriched with the progress of time.
The West Oxford Agricultural Society, which sponsors Fryeburg Fair, Maine's Blue Ribbon Classic, was incorporated on June 3, 1851 by nine Maine towns. Six New Hampshire border towns were added in 1888 with the total today standing at 22 — 16 in Maine and six in New Hampshire. The fairgrounds are located in the southwestern Maine town of Fryeburg, 50 miles northwest of Portland.
A picturesque community of 3,500 people nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains, Fryeburg is part of a the fertile Saco River valley where crops are grown commercially. The popular river meanders through the area providing recreational canoeing, camping and fishing.
The fairgrounds with its 185 acres and more than 10 buildings are situated on flat, sandy land with hundreds of native pine trees. A board of trustees, elected officers and appointed superintendents manage the more than 40 departments involved in the fair's operation.
More than 4,000 animals inhabit the grounds during 8-day fair, participating in a variety of events horse and ox pulling to beef & dairy judging to draft horse and pony shows. Sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and swine are also shown throughout the week and there are four pig scrambles and a calf scramble for youngsters.
Our progressive 4-H animal program is the centerpiece of our agricultural focus and includes horses, dairy goats, baby beef steers, market lambs, swine, dairy, sheep, beef heifers and working steers. The 4-H Exhibition Hall is enhanced with exhibits from art work to veterinary science.
The Sheep Dog trials held on opening day is a crowd pleaser and people are always amazed at the special abilities of these hard-working dogs.
Monday is Woodsmans' Day and our competition is one of the largest east of the Mississippi. We have international champions in events such as bucksawing, chain sawing, tree felling and spring board chop. Large equipment contests using skidders and hydraulic loaders are always popular.
The ever popular Skillet Throw takes place on Monday at noontime and never fails to bring a sparkle to the eye of the participant and laughter to the crowd. More than 80 women competed this year.
Parimutuel harness racing on our half-mile oval track runs Tuesday through Sunday. Top trotters and pacers from throughout the northeast are featured. This year saw the track pacing record broken in Sunday's Mountain Skipper Invitational. Nearly $1 million was handled during the 60 races.
The Farm Museum boasts live demonstrations including blacksmithing, shingle & furniture making, timber hewing and meat smoking. You can watch a canoe in various stages of construction being built or you can sit on an ageless piece of granite and enjoy homemade ice cream, sample of food cooked on a woodstove or taste Bean Hole Beans fresh from the ground while you watch a pair of oxen perform a tilling demonstration.
The Forestry Resource Center is just a stone's throw away. The 11,000 square foot building was built1990 to house displays and exhibits that best represent the total forest activites in the state of Maine & New Hampshire. The fish & game clubs and trapper associations are represented along with maple syrup producers, small woodland owners and the Maine Forestry Service. Youth educational exhibits and forestry related products such as furniture making, gazebos, and wooden playground equipment made in the state of Maine & New Hampshire are also featured.
The Firemens' Muster on the first Sunday attracts 24 departments from throughout New England. Departments compete in events including bucket brigade, wet hose, dry hose and waterball. The team from the Waterford Fire Department won the 2003 events for the fifth straight year and sixth out of the last seven.
The Commercial Agricultural Expo was created as a special area, aside from the commercial displays, to promote Maine and NH agricultural products. You can see and sample locally grown products such as honey, maple syrup, blueberries, cranberries, and apples.
The Maine Florists Association has flower arranging demonstrations several times daily during the fair in one of the oldest buildings on the fairgrounds. Area florists offer specials for sale throughout the week.
The Craft Center allows fairgoers to meet and purchase directly from juried craftsmen who offer an amazing array of quality hand-made products.
The Maine Christmas Tree Growers Association presents the finest Christmas trees grown in New England. Award winning wreaths are on display, and you can even learn how to make your own at one of the many wreath making demonstrations held throughout the week.
There are six night shows with nationally known performers in front of our main grandstand, at no additional charge beyond the regular fair admission. During the day ongoing entertainment is offered at five parks within the fairgrounds. Dixie jazz, German marching bands and youth ensembles are but a few of the surprises you'll find strolling the grounds.
The Agricultural Exibition Center, a twin in size to the Forestry Center, is right next door. This building houses the Grange and Extention Displays as well as individual entries from art and crafts to woodworking and carving. Maines' & NH bountiful harvest is reflected in a cornucopia of vegetables grown by individuals and small farms. There are also exhibits put together by garden clubs, senior centers and the mentally challenged. Several baking and cooking contests are held throughout the week for adults as well as children. The contests are enhanced by crowd participation and when they are over you can purchase a sample. No one goes away disappointed.
You are transported back to the "good old days" when the authentic 19th century little red schoolhouse is in session for the week. The rafters ring with laughter once more as area children in period costumes attend school each day, taught by the not-so-stern school marm.
The focal point of the Childrens' Area is Old McDonald's Farm, a petting zoo where children can intermingle with small barnyard animals. "Bessie" the cow is always on duty and children are always eager to try their hand at "milking" her.
The Hayseed Theater comes alive with magicians, jugglers, stilt walkers and minstrels to keep the children entranced while Mom & Dad put up their feet.
Across the way you can visit the milking parlor and watch dairy cows being milked. Learn how to make your own butter & ice cream in the demonstration area.
What's a fair without food? Polish sausage with peppers & onions, fried dough, homemade chowders, hot pretzels, sliced steaks, french fries and bloomin' onions. We've got it all. There are even several full service restaurants. If we don't have it you don't need it.
The Grand Parade is held Saturday morning, and what a parade it is! You'll stand with pride as we play the National Anthem and Old Glory is solemnly carried around the track by members of the American Legion. Almost every animal on the grounds is in attendance, proudly led by its' owner. There are horses, ponies, sheep, oxen, cattle, and huge draft horses in an eight horse hitch, all decked out in their polished trappings. And what is a parade without clowns, bicycles and floats.The marching bands will start your feet stomping and your hands clapping. Antique automobiles are dwarfed by giant logging trucks. This parade is truly an American tradition not to be missed.
Think you can't fit it all into one day? You can even camp at the fair! We have many camper-spaces with water and electrical hook-ups. Click here to make reservations online.
Why not make plans to join us for the next fair, or feel free to drop by if you're in the area. There's usually someone in the office and we're always glad to welcome visitors.
See you at the fair.