The Northern Maine Fairgrounds had a distinct nostalgic feel Thursday evening when a crowd milled around on a midway lit with dazzling colors.
It was opening night at Crisp Nights and Carnival Lights, a combined effort of the Northern Maine Fair Association and the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Each group wanted to hold a fall function at the fairgrounds, so they collaborated and created the first-time, four-day festival. It’s the first time carnival rides have appeared on the site since 2019, due mostly to scheduling conflicts and a dwindling contingent of amusement companies.
Things wound down a bit early on Thursday because it was a school night, but attendance for a weekday evening was “phenomenal,” Fair President Kent Forbes said Friday. Some parents told him their kids didn’t want to leave because they were having so much fun.
“Last night, I heard kids just screaming with joy and being so excited,” he said. “It was exciting to hear that, to just hear the joy in the kids’ voices. That’s what was special to me.”
People strolled the midway Thursday among food vendors, games and rides, from a carousel to bumper cars to the perennial favorite, the Zipper. Some gathered at picnic tables with treats, while others tried their hands at games.
At one of the kids’ rides, Katie Garrison watched as her son Wesley spun around in a small car. When a reporter asked permission to take Wesley’s photo, she said yes, and then smiled. Ironically, when she was a child, a Star-Herald reporter took her photo on the same type of ride, she said.
The fair association brought its popular bingo games back, which drew a crowd, the organization reported on social media.
Motor sports and live music are planned for the weekend, Forbes said.
“On Saturday we’ll have two great bands, our local band French Toast and Deadly Desire from southern Maine, right in front of the grandstand with great seating and our beer garden,” he said. “We’re having the demolition derby and mini-modified tractor pulling on Sunday. People need to come out and support this.”
The concerts start at 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, tractor pulling starts at 3 p.m. followed by the demolition derby and a poker tournament at 4 p.m.
The midway is open both weekend days from 12 to 9 p.m. Other daily features include a Vendor Village with local crafters and entrepreneurs, the forestry-themed kids’ attraction Li’l Lumberjacks, and bingo each night at 6 p.m.
Forbes enjoyed seeing the activity and excitement, he said.
“I saw a lot of people partaking of food from the great food vendors and just having a good time,” he said. “It’s nice to see people enjoying camaraderie with their friends and neighbors.”
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For ride ticket prices and full details, check out the Northern Maine Fair’s Facebook page.
