By Kevin McCartney
Considering that 2011 will mark the 157th consecutive year of the Northern Maine Fair, it would be easy to think you’ve seen and done it all. But not so! While all of your favorite activities will still be in full flower during the year, there will also be some new and exciting changes.The Fair Association has been working diligently to bring the Fair back to emphasizing its roots, and the scheduled programming will feature a broad variety of educational programs highlighting all aspects of northern Maine’s active agricultural culture.
An example is the Fair’s new “Little Hands on the Farm,” which will engage children ages three to ten in activities that demonstrate the work of farmers. The Fair is working to construct a mock-farm that consists of a series of miniature barns and agricultural activities next to the Agricultural Exhibition Building. Children “farm-hands” will be able to plant seeds, pick potatoes, collect eggs, “milk” a cow and do other farm jobs. Not only will our County children learn about how farms produce the food we eat, but this will also be an opportunity for our area high school students to volunteer and gain useful learning and teaching experience.
The livestock area will also see the establishment of new programs. A demonstration area with bleacher seating is planned, where talks and demonstrations will be presented throughout the week. Demonstrations will include care of animals, raising rabbits and sheep-shearing. There will also be 4H baby beef demonstrations, such as hoof care and trimming, grooming, and clipping the animals for show. There will be a walking of the baby beef each evening prior to the baby beef auction. There are also plans for horse and alpaca demonstrations and an expanded petting zoo in the Old MacDonald’s Farm.
There will also be new demonstrations in the Ag Heritage Building area. Eugene Katsman, a local Blacksmith from Caribou, has committed to doing “forging” demonstrations all nine days of the Fair. He was a hit last year with a lot of the children as he allowed them to experience a “hands on” approach to the art of Blacksmith work. A Vintage Rock Crusher has been donated to the museum and there will be demonstrations on how that works during Fair week.
Learning opportunities will not be restricted to traditional agricultural programs at The Fair. Several workshops are planned, on such topics as Alternative Energy and Organic Farming. I hope we can even have talks about the details of demolition derby and truck and tractor pulling.
Fans of harness racing will not be disappointed in the scheduled three days and three nights of racing in front of the grandstands. The Northern Maine Fair will be hosting the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs on the first Saturday and some important people from the Maine Harness Racing Association will be on the fairgrounds that day, and will assist in a workshop on harness racing.
Carnival rides will again be provided by Smokey’s Greater Shows. The ever-popular live animal entertainment this year the will be “going to the dogs,” with trained canines performing amazing tricks by “The Marvelous Mutts.” Live comedy will be provided by juggler-comedian “Lucky Bob”. Other Fair programs will continue as they have in previous years. The Historical Pavilion has a new Chair, Kim Smith.
The Music Festival will again have a full nine-day program with a different genre of music each night. The Music Hall will have a new layout this year according to Chair Dora Leavitt.
Carrie Winslow and others are working on the second annual Little Miss Pageant. Last year’s Miss Northern Maine Fair, Stephanie Hammond, represented The Fair at the annual Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs meeting in Portland in January. Carrie is also chair of the Ladies Pavilion, which will have programs and displays oriented toward women and children. The Princess and Pirate Parties will celebrate its fourth year in the Ladies Pavilion.
Some exciting changes are in store, once again for the Agricultural Exhibition Hall. The Northern Maine Fair was awarded the Best Large Exhibition Hall by the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs early this year. The major change for this year is the addition of a new kitchen/demonstration area. This new, fully functioning kitchen will allow for more cooking contests and demonstrations.
This year will also see the celebration of Pie-Apalooza, with a total of 5 pie cooking contests. Event Chair Christa Galipeau said her committee is looking forward to continuing to expand and improve the events, displays and demonstrations in our building.
The Fair is still two months away but there is much to do and much going on. The Fair is looking for more volunteers, and new ideas are encouraged.
Kevin McCartney is president of the Northern Maine Fair Committee. He can be reached at 769-9482 or via e-mail at oldiron1@myfairpoint.net.
