Windsor Fair a record setter
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WINDSOR — As a long line of fairgoers waited to get in to the last day of the Windsor Fair Monday afternoon, officials said the fair saw record-breaking attendance figures this year.
Kristen Davis, 5, of New Sharon leads a calf adorned in a costume during the costume parade at the Windsor Fair on Monday.
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"Today's not over yet, but it's going to be a record year," said Fair President Tom Foster. "It's going to be the best year we've ever had, as far as attendance."
A nearly week-long run of good weather and a wide variety of attractions at this year's version of the annual fair had paid attendance up by about 10 percent over last year, with more than 150,000 people passing through the gates during the fair's nine-day run.
While there, fair attendees ate a variety of food, watched numerous musicians perform day and night, bet on horses at the racetrack, and watched or competed in a wide range of agriculturally themed events.
One event was a blend of agriculture and fashion.
The animal costume class had youngsters dressing up livestock in outfits to match their own.
Kristen Davis, 5, of New Sharon, and her black cow "Lively" were dressed as a tiger and wild animal tamer. In a switch of roles, however, Kristen, with an orange-striped suit and whiskers painted on her face, was the tiger and the cow was the lion tamer, complete with a top hat and coat.
"Lively was the lion tamer," Kristen explained as her mom, Carol, looked on.
"She's been practicing all week," Carol Davis said. "And we think all year about what to do next year. She's entered for four years and she's undefeated."
Kristen, whose mom says she loves animals, also entered a sheep in the youth sheep obstacle course Monday.
Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett, chief of the temporary Windsor Fair Police Department, said officers saw few problems.
"We've had an awfully quiet week for law enforcement," Brackett said. "We only had one arrest all week, even with all these people here. It's been a great country fair."
The one incident was a Litchfield man's arrest on the second day of the fair for an alleged violation of bail conditions and a protection order.
Foster said the fair saw its best Sunday attendance ever —about 19,000 people passed through the gates, making it the busiest day this year.
People were still lined up 20 deep Monday at 1:30 p.m. to get in to the fair.
Foster said the fair is such a success because of the variety of activities offered on the Route 32 site.
Activities on the last day of the fair included a parade of antique cars featuring several beauty contest winners, live music by "Mainely Harmony" and "Working Class," horse pulling competitions, and horse barrel racing.
The barrel racers ride their steeds at top speed up to a barrel before turning tightly around the barrel, dust and dirt flying, and racing off to the next barrel for another leaning turn. A crowd of spectators lined the barrel racing ring to cheer on the speeding riders and their horses.
Foster said 4-H beef, lamb and other livestock sales sold for the highest per-pound rate of any fair in Maine. Some youths, he said, made as much as $5,000 at the fair selling livestock they raised themselves.
Foster praised local businesses for supporting the 4-H program.
About 160 volunteers and 260 paid workers come together to staff the fair.
Foster said organizing such a large fair is a year-round endeavor. He said organizers will likely meet in about 30 days to talk about how this year's fair went, plan improvements to the grounds, and begin preparing for next year.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com