2012 Fryeburg Fair

FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Fair, established in 1851, will host its 162nd annual eight-day fair September 30-October 7 in Fryeburg. As always, Fryeburg Fair, considered to be one of the best agricultural fairs in the U.S., offers non-stop livestock, agriculture and farming exhibitions with over 3,000 head of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, rabbits, oxen and more.

This year's Fair debuts its new and innovative Specialty Foods Pavilion, a 6,800-square-foot building with farmer's porches on the ends and 34 vendor spaces. Superintendent Jean Andrews says, "We are very excited about the opening of our new endeavor! We are hoping to promote local agriculture and our local economy."

Traditional Fair events include Woodsmen's Field Day, horse and ox pulling, draft horse tandem hitches up to eight, pig scrambles, calf scrambles, cooking contests, flower shows, exhibition halls of crafts, handiwork, photos, art, forest and wood products; a full museum of old farm equipment and memorabilia with live demonstrations; the "Little Red Schoolhouse" built in 1835; the milking parlor, firemen's musters, sheepdog trials, tractor pulling, 4WD pulls and pari-mutuel harness racing on the Fair's half-mile track.

Don’t miss the Fair’s Fiber Center which this year only features the very unique “Maine Coral Reef Project,” a beautiful, internationally inspired exhibit of crocheting and knitting depicting a real coral reef.

Entertainment is everywhere with singers, musicians, bands, and performers in the Fair's park areas. This year's Night Show headliners are The Jonathan Sarty Band, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Asleep at the Wheel, Jo Dee Messina, Craig Campbell and Lexi James.

The Fair is known for the best French fries made with the finest local Maine potatoes, along with an incredible variety of choices for everyone. The annual Fireworks show on Friday night at 9 p.m. (right after the Night Show ends) is always fantastic and Saturday's 10 a.m. Grand Parade is two hours of Fryeburg Fair's best on display.

General Admission is $10 daily and includes 8 p.m. Night Shows. Children under 12 always free. Tuesday is Senior Citizens' Day (65 and over are admitted free). Gates open at 7 a.m. Harness Racing is at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For further information on Fryeburg Fair, go to www.fryeburgfair.org or call the Fair Office at 935-3268.