Since first settled in 1771, Fairfield and its many villages, boundaries and its size have changed. Some land has gone to Norridgewock and Skowhegan and some has been added from Benton. Today the town covers almost 55 square miles and includes the settlements of Fairfield Center, Nye’s Corner, Hinckley, Larone, North Fairfield, Shawmut, and the downtown area.

The Kennebec River is its eastern border from Skowhegan to Waterville. Summer fun river access can be had at three locations: The In-town Boat Launch near the Community Center, the Hinckley Boat Launch by the Rte. 23 bridge, the Shawmut portage with a fisherman’s trail along the river. If you want to swim or eat the fish you will have to travel further north.

Fairfield Historical Society: The Cotton-Smith House, 42 High Street, is a Queen Anne Victorian, built in 1894 and on the National Register of historic Places. The Fairfield Historical Society, located in the house, records and preserves the history of the town and region; receives and compiles historical papers, photographs, obtains tools, furniture, manuscripts and helps people become aware, interested in and concerned about historical preservation. Open to the public Tuesday and Saturday or by appointment (453-2998) and for special events like the annual Rummage Sale.

Fairfield Farmer’s Market: 81 Main Street, Wednesdays 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. mid-June to mid-October. Local produce in season, seedlings, pickles, jams, jellies, eggs, bread and so much more.

Lawrence Public Library: At 33 Lawrence Avenue, housed in a Romanesque-style building with a bit of beaux Arts influence, designed by William R. Miller for E.J. Lawrence, a successful lumberman and entrepreneur. His daughters and friends started a Ladies Book Club in 1895 with 48 books in a local shop and quickly ran out of space. Mrs. L.E. Newhall donated the lot across from the park and between her home and Lawrence’s. The library is on the National Register of Historic Places.

See Alyssa Paterson in the children and teen section for information about summer activities including the Summer Reading Program. Ask at the library for the schedule of Friday night Music in the Park events. The 2018 season starts off June 15 with Music Factory, a country group, and ends up August 31 with David Deas & Friends with Jazz/Pop or just check fairfieldme.com/library.

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Good Will-Hinckley: On Rte. 201, there are hiking trails, with a self-guided map, L.C. Bates Museum and gift shop. Call 238-4250, summer hours April – September: Wednesday -Saturday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 4:30 p.m. Admission: $3 adults, $1 children. Check out events for children at summer camp.gwh.org/lcbates/LCBatesMuseum.aspx.

Kennebec Valley Community College: Located at 92 Western Avenue, students earn associate degrees and certificates in 11 different fields. Popular programs include: Health Professions and Related Programs, Business, Management, Solar Photovoltaic, Marketing and Related Support Services, Sustainable Agriculture, Lineworker Program, and Construction Trades. Opportunities for part-time and full-time students at two campuses: Fairfield and the Alfond Campus at Good Will-Hinckley. kvcc.me.edu

The Apple Farm: Located on Back Road, one mile off Route 104, between Waterville and Skowhegan. Open August to December for fruit and fresh produce, horse-drawn wagon rides on weekends, pick-your-own apples in several varieties, apple cider, maple syrup, local knitted mittens and more. There is a hillside site for an outdoor wedding or celebration. Call 453-7656 or visit applefarm.us.

Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse: Find seedlings, perennials, house plants, window boxes, hanging flower pots, cut flowers and arrangements, shrubs, fruit trees, seeds, garden supplies and more in greenhouses and show room at 491 Ridge Road. Call 453-2357 or visit sunsetgreenhouses.com.

Hilltop Farms & Greenhouse: Located, you guessed it – on a hilltop – at 260 Middle Road.The greenhouses and attractive showroom hold a wide variety of everything needed for the garden. Famous for its lobster compost. Call 453-6601 or check their Facebook page.

Fairfield Antiques Mall: Maine’s largest group shop is located at 382 Skowhegan Road. Great for exploring and finding everything from jewelry & collectables, books, glassware, furniture. Whether you need a painted pine bureau, or old signs, hats, mirrors or tools from another century, you are likely to find it here. Allow yourself some time because there are several levels and many rooms! Call 453-4100 for information or visit fairfieldantiquesmall.com.

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Fairfield Pal Sports: For students from Fairfield, Benton, Albion and Clinton, volunteer coaches make sure area youth can enjoy T-Ball, softball, baseball, soccer, field hockey and cheering. fairfieldpalsports.com

Poulin’s Antiques & Auctions Inc.: Family-owned and operated antique business since 1980, located at 199 Skowhegan Road. “One of the top 5 firearms auction houses in North America, based on annual sales.” Call 453-2114 or visit poulinauctions.com

Senior Appreciation Day & Chicken BBQ: The event is held at the Community Center in August, free to Fairfield residents over 60. Food, music, games and awards. Tickets available in July at town office. For more information call 453-7911

Recycled Shakespeare Company: Founded in 2013, this Fairfield- based company motto is Reduce, Reuse, Recite, and is an acting company whose goal is “to require as little money as possible to produce great theater.” Donations of clothing, props and set pieces are always welcome. No performance scheduled yet for Fairfield but Romeo and Juliet will be performed at Castonguay Square in Waterville on June 23. Emily Rowden Fournier, producer, co-founder and board president, 4 Cottage St. Fairfield. Call 314-8607 or contact at recycledshakespeare@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/RecycledShakespeare.

Hiking, Biking or walking
the dog: Mill Island Park, a day-use park owned and managed by the Town of Fairfield.
•Forest Walking Trails at Good Will-Hinckley – maps available at kiosk behind L.C. Bates Museum.
•PAL fields, Industrial Road off Western Avenue.
•Water Street Playground, next to the Community Center.
•Veterans Memorial Park, across from the library on Lawrence Avenue.
•Benton-Winslow Rotary Trail. Don’t forget to leash your dog and pick up dog waste.

So what else do we do in Fairfield in the summer? Kayak and boat on the Kennebec, paint and fish, garden and walk the dog, collect rocks, feed the birds and visit with our neighbors, visit the library and read good books, go to the movies and vote. We are a small river town in Maine with all kinds of good things to do. Go exploring. If you run out of things to do, stop and think for a moment. What have you always wanted to do to make the world a better place? Go out and do it.


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