Cumberland County Fair Archives

State says it can’t stop Fryeburg Fair from opening early, fueling tension among fairgoers

An order this month from Maine’s agriculture commissioner concluded the state has no authority to step in.

The overlapping date – Sept. 27 – is now a matter of contention between the 2 longtime events.

Fairs in Farmington, Cumberland, Unity and Fryeburg give you lots of choices for things to do. You might even try visiting two in one day.

First Track Investments LLC plans to schedule 56 days of racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds starting in May.

Organizers, vendors and 4-H’ers take a financial hit from fair cancellations, and you can kiss fried dough goodbye.

The fair, which dates back to 1868, was also canceled during a pandemic 100 years ago.

There are also pulling competitions and a demolition derby as the weeklong autumnal celebration starts.

Keeping with the back-to-school mode of fall, Maine’s autumnal fairs offer lots of fresh-air education.