Big O to be The Oxford Fair

PARIS — Fans of agricultural fairs shouldn't be too concerned if they hear that  "The Big O" won't happen in Oxford this year.

That's because this year, the event will be called "The Oxford Fair," said Jackie Young, president, Oxford County Agricultural Society.

"It's not 'The Big O' anymore. I didn't know so many people didn't like 'The Big O'," said Young.

The move is one change that came about as a result of a public meeting that OCAS hosted to gather feedback from the community.

OCAS held the meeting on January 15 to ask potential fair-goers what would draw them to the event.

Young said that about 35 people attended the event, and that the feedback was generally positive.

"We heard that we're on the right track, that what they wanted was there," said Young.

That doesn't mean that new ideas weren't suggested.

"It was just really good input," said Young. "We heard some input on local bands that could perform."

Young said the OCAS Board of Directors will begin a push in March to land more local vendors selling jewelry and craft items.

"For four days, it's going to be a reasonable rate," she said. "We want more people involved. People draw people. The more you have, the more come. That's why we're trying to fill the independent midway."

Among ideas shared for the fair week were: a firemen’s muster, more local vendors, trick loading and pulp loading contests, a Beano tent, a bean supper and local nonprofit craftsmen.

Young said that she'd like to see antique tractors giving free rides to kids, who are towed as they sit in barrels with wheels, a popular offering at the Waterford fair.

They also discussed how to change the overall feel of the fair, which Young suggested has been too sparsely populated with things to see.

Some attractions will be rearranged so as to condense more offerings into a smaller area.

Local vendors of such things as snowmobiles, lawnmowers, tractor trailers and ATVs will be on hand to offer their products.

"Maybe someone can bring in a big logging truck," said Young. "It's something for the kids to look at when they're wandering around the fair. ... They just look good mixed in with all the other attractions."

Young said that criticism about a lack of animals at the fair doesn't mesh with the facts.

"Believe it or not, the number of animals is more than we had 10 years ago," she said. "I think [people think there are fewer] because they're all in the big barn. Sometimes people don't think it's as many."

However, fair records show that over the past 20 years, the number of animals at the fair has declined significantly. There were 1,382 in 1989, 1,074 in 2000; and just 538 in 2009.

In 2010, the number of animals on offer was 753.

Young said that, this year, there will be an effort to create more interactive agricultural experiences, so that people will be able to have a deeper understanding of the animals that they see.

Owners will be asked to give demonstrations on animal grooming techniques; there will be horse-drawn wagon rides, and the use of an old-fashioned oxen-drawn plow.

Attendees also brainstormed ideas for events throughout the year, according to  OCAS.

Non-fair events might include regular Beano nights, a winter chili and chowder fest, sleigh rides, a barn dance, a flea market and a chicken barbecue.

In December, the OCAS board of directors voted to cut the fair from seven days to just four. This year, it will run from Wednesday, September 12 to Saturday, September 15.

Young has said that the switch to four days will help to reduce costs and concentrate the fair's biggest events into a shorter time frame.

Attendees also discussed improvements to the fair website, and selling a community-based cookbook as a fundraiser.

Another community meeting will be held in March, said Young, at a date and time to be decided.