Families watch a dairy cow milking demonstration at the Northern Maine Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)
The 171st Northern Maine Agricultural Fair ended on Sunday, capping off five days of family fun, high-energy truck and tractor pulling and agricultural showcases that highlight the region’s rich farming heritage.
Notably, this year’s fair was the first since 2019 to feature a carnival, after the fair association negotiated with Smokey’s Greater Shows — the Maine-based midway provider — to split its rides between Presque Isle’s fair and the Bangor State Fair, which run concurrently.
This year is the first time since 2019 the Northern Maine Fair has had carnival rides. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)A goat expresses itself at the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)A tractor prepares a strip of track for truck and tractor pulling at the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)
“It’s an exciting year for people to come back to the fair that have been discouraged with it over the years,” association president Kent Forbes said in the leadup to the fair. “In sports, they call it a rebuilding season. Give us a chance to prove to you that we’re going to make it great again.”
Here are some scenes from Friday afternoon at the fair, from the midway to agricultural exhibits and beyond.
An aerial view of part of the Northern Maine Fair, looking toward the infield of a track used for truck and tractor pulls. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)Inside the Rods, Rides and Relics car show at The Forum on the Northern Maine Fair complex. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)A man walks by Rhonda, a new cow mascot for the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)Presque Isle band Overture rocks a stage at the Northern Maine Fair Friday Afternoon. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)A watchful cow at the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)A horse peeks around the corner of its stall in the agricultural area of the Northern Maine Fair. (Cameron Levasseur | The County)
