County or state fairs, which also fall under the category of agricultural fairs, are some of the most family-friendly events to attend. The state of Maine features over two dozen such fun and educational events, typically between June and October each year. Fairs usually offer something for just about everyone, from exhibits featuring home-grown produce, livestock, and handmade crafts, to animals and animal-pulling events, to midway rides and of course, an abundance of food! Maine agricultural fairs truly celebrate the rural lifestyle in grand fashion over the summer and fall months.
Schedule of Maine Agricultural Fairs
While actual dates of fairs vary each year, this is a general list of the months in which they occur and a summary of what you can expect to see for exhibits and attractions to enjoy at each fair. Fair admission prices also vary from one fair to the next, depending on available activities. Available general admission price ranges are included, unless otherwise indicated. Children under certain ages are often admitted free; senior citizens are also often admitted free or at reduced prices, on certain days.
JUNE
Maine Fiber Frolic
The earliest on the roster, this fair on the Windsor Fair Grounds in Windsor opens the season with a celebration of natural fibers and handmade products derived from wool and yarn. Fair goers can watch spinning and shearing demonstrations, as well as purchase items made from various fibers. Admission Prices: $2 to $5; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 832-5162.
JULY
Houlton Fair
This small fair in the town of Houlton features crafts, livestock, a midway, and state entertainment.Admission Prices: $10; or $240 for a *lifetime* fair pass! For more information, call: (207) 694-1298.
Ossipee Valley Fair
Located in South Hiram, this truly old-fashioned fair offers many distinctive exhibit halls, plenty of livestock, animal pulling events, a midway, and even drag racing. Admission Prices: $6 to $8; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 793-8434.
Waterford World’s Fair
North Waterford hosts this small community fair featuring exhibit halls, livestock including steers and oxen, crafts, animal and tractor pulling events, pig scramble, and various food judging and eating competitions such as apple and blueberry pies, whoopie pies, and chocolate chip cookies. Admission Prices: Not available. For more information, call: (207) 890-2169.
Pittston Fair
Situated in Pittston, this small country fair offers children’s games, animal pulling and tractor pulling events, exhibit halls, a “Mudfest,” and a midway. Admission Prices: $2 to $5; children under 5 and seniors 60+, free. For more information call: (207) 582-8861.
Northern Maine Fair
The wonderful community of Presque Isle hosts this large fair, usually running between the end of July into early August. Fair goers can enjoy plenty of rides and exhibits, horse and tractor/truck pulling events, harness racing, and even monster truck and thrill shows. Admission Prices: $10 or $20 for unlimited rides. For more information, call: (207) 764-1884.
Bangor State Fair
Another fair that typically takes fair goers from July into August, this large fair in the town of Bangor features crafts, a flower show, animal and commercial exhibits, a midway, animal pulling events, and harness racing. Admission Prices: $10; children under 3, free (but no rides). For more information, call: (207) 947-5555.
AUGUST
Monmouth Fair
Often the opening event for August, this small fair in Monmouth offers crafts, animal pulling events, animal exhibits, and a midway. Admission Prices: $2 to $5; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 933-2249.
Athens Wesserunsett Valley Fair
The town of Athens hosts this small fair featuring animal exhibits, a midway, and crafts. Admission Prices: Not available. For more information, call: (207) 474-8265.
Topsham Fair
Another popular fair, this one in Topsham is known for its agricultural exhibits, animal pulling events, crafts, 4-H displays, harness racing, and a midway. Admission Prices: $6 to $7; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 798-0892.
Skowhegan State Fair
The quaint town of Skowhegan hosts this annual event. It is a large fair featuring a flower show and commercial exhibits, crafts, animal exhibits and animal pulling events, a midway, harness racing, and tractor pulling. Admission Prices: Not available. For more information, call: (207) 474-2947
Union Fair
Usually occurring mid to late August, this fair in the town of Union is renowned for its Blueberry Festival, as well as animal pulling events, crafts, a midway, and harness racing. Admission Prices: $4 to $8, or $20 for unlimited rides; special prices for multiple day attendance, and children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 785-3281.
Acton Fair
Another late August fair, this one hosted in the town of Acton is known for its 4-H and other exemplary exhibits, animal pulling events, a midway, and a flower show. Admission Prices: $5 to $6; children under 12, free.For more information, call: (207) 324-1250 or 636-2026.
Piscataquis Valley Fair
The area of Dover-Foxcroft hosts this late August fair with animal pulling events, crafts, a midway, agricultural exhibits, and its distinctive milking parlor offering home-made ice cream. Admission Prices: $2 to $6; children under 5, free and adults 65+, half price. For more information, call: (207) 943-2650.
Windsor Fair
One of the final fairs of August, heading into Labor Day weekend, is this large one – considered a “progressive” fair – in the town of Windsor. It is renowned for its more complex exhibits for agriculture, crafts, and art. Also featured are a large midway, harness racing, and animal and mechanical pulling events. Admission Prices: $7 to $9, children under 16, free; season’s pass, $50. For more information, call: (207) 549-7121.
SEPTEMBER
Blue Hill Fair
Another of the end of August/early September fairs is usually this one in the town of Blue Hill. It has earned a reputation for being a traditional country fair with its great midway, animal pulling events, exhibits, entertainment, and non-betting horse racing. This fair even sponsors its own local “Idol” competition where participants ages 16 and over may audition and compete for cash prizes and the chance to become the Blue Hill Fair Idol. Admission Prices: $1 to $8; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 374-3701.
Springfield Fair
This early September fair in the town of Springfield offers some of the usual fair attractions such as animal pulling events, livestock exhibits, and a midway. It also features something less common: a stage show and an antique auto exhibit. Admission Prices: $10 to $30. For more information, call: (207) 738-2888.
Harmony Free Fair
Another fair that usually takes advantage of the Labor Day weekend, this one in the town of Harmony features exhibits, rides, crafts, animal exhibits, horse show, men’s hammer and women’s skillet throw competitions, and a demolition derby. Admission Prices: None – always FREE. For more information, call: (207) 683-5873.
Clinton Lions Fair
The town of Clinton hosts this annual fair with an emphasis on the family, featuring exhibits, animal and mechanical pulling events, stage entertainment, and a midway. Admission Prices: Not available. For more information, call: (207) 426-8013 or Summer 474-8287.
Litchfield Fair
This September country fair in Litchfield features agricultural exhibits, livestock and animal pulling events, and a large midway. Admission Prices: $2 to $6; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 353-8105.
Oxford County Fair
The town of Oxford hosts this annual September fair that offers attractions including crafts, exhibits, livestock shows, animal pulling events, and harness racing. Admission Prices: $1 to $10; week’s pass, $35. For more information, call: (207) 743-9594.
New Portland Lion’s Fair
North New Portland is the location for this fair that features animal pulling events and livestock exhibits, crafts, a midway, an exhibit hall, and a demolition derby. Admission Prices: $4 per person or $12 per family. For more information, call: (207) 628-2916.
Farmington Fair
Typically held in mid to late September, this fair in Farmington features many of the attractions fair goers anticipate, including livestock exhibits and animal pulling events, exhibit halls, harness racing, and a large midway. Admission Prices: $2 to $6; children under 7, free. For more information, call: phone: (207)778-6083.
Common Ground Fair
One of the most popular and familiar fairs, this one held near the end of September in Unity exemplifies rural life in Maine. It features organic-produced foods native to the state, as well as crafts, livestock exhibits, and demonstrations. Admission Prices: $8 to $10; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 568-4142.
Cumberland Fair
Often the last fair in September, this one in the town of Cumberland features many of the most popular attractions, including harness racing and animal pulling events, a midway, large exhibit halls and livestock exhibits. Admission Prices: $2 to $9, week’s pass, $35; children under 12, free. For more information, call: (207) 797-2789.
OCTOBER
Fryeburg Fair
Perhaps one of the best known and the largest of Maine’s agricultural fairs, located in Fryeburg, this event usually wraps up the fair going season, extending from the last day in September through the first week in October. Designated as “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic,” an additional highlight of this fair is the gorgeous premium fall foliage as a backdrop to its livestock shows, exhibit halls, museum, harness racing, parade, midway, Christmas trees and wreaths exhibits, contests, and entertainment. Admission Prices: $10-$20, includes all shows and rides; under 12 and over 65, free. For more information, call: (207) 935-3268.
Make Plans Now to Attend a Fair…or Two, or Three
What better way to enjoy a family outing than at a fair? Make plans now to attend your favorite nearby fair for a few hours – or make a day trip out of it to attend one that’s a bit further away. One thing is certain, Maine agricultural fairs are plentiful and offer wholesome family fun throughout the summer and fall months.
