Fair draws crowds to four days of events

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Fairgoers packed the grounds for the 167th Northern Maine Fair, which concluded its four-day run Sunday night.

The event showcased longtime favorites like livestock, the 4-H Baby Beef Auction, truck and tractor pulling, cooking contests, farm equipment displays, the Lumberjack Roundup and Lil’ Farmers at the Fair — and, of course, mouthwatering fair treats. 

New attractions also took center stage, including a relocated horse show arena, traveling World War II museum and a forestry exhibit that let kids become “Lil’ Lumberjacks.”  

Except for a few years during wartime and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the fair has been held continuously since its first exhibition in October 1851. It’s always been about celebrating Aroostook County’s agricultural roots. Horse racing and carnival rides have been phased out, but strong attendance and community support ensure the fair will continue, fair officials said.

The event draws people who stay in local hotels and purchase gas and other goods. But what stands out every year is the community’s involvement, including support from hundreds of businesses and many volunteers, Northern Maine Fair Association President Lynwood Winslow said Monday.  

“We could not pull it off without the businesses and the community. We have a lot of volunteers,” Winslow said.“We just are so fortunate. The community supports this history and tradition of family entertainment that, hopefully, will continue for years to come.”

Final counts are not in yet, and Sunday’s heat and threat of rain lessened participation a bit, but Friday and Saturday drew big crowds and organizers were pleased with the attendance overall, he said.

“Lil’ Lumberjacks at the Fair,” a new interactive exhibit modeled after Lil’ Farmers but with a forestry theme, proved to be a hit. 

Volunteers shepherded kids through a woods-like setting among trees and three small cabins where they could meet forest rangers and Smokey Bear, make S’mores, toss beanbags and other fun activities, all while learning about types of trees and forestry practices.

The reception was beyond the fair association’s expectations, Winslow said. 

“It was just put together so professionally and so cleverly by the volunteers who worked on it. The way that it portrays the forestry industry in such a positive and interesting way is incredible,” he said. “The kids were excited.”

Learning about Maine’s woods heritage may spur kids to seek careers in the industry, Winslow said. The exhibit may also encourage more industry participation as it breathes some new life into the forestry building.

On the livestock side, the annual Aroostook Valley 4-H Baby Beef Auction brought an average price of more than $4 per pound. 

Twelve young people from Houlton to New Sweden showed and auctioned their own cattle, which were purchased by local businesses. 

Some other fairs take place in communities where there are few buyers, something that sets Aroostook apart, Winslow said.

“We have got to be thankful to live in an area where our businesses step up to do this. Our kids work hard and represent the best of what we have, and our community steps up to reward them,” he said.

The Traveling World War II Museum featured vehicles and several tents that showcased implements and equipment troops used, such as a radio pack and console, mess kits and rations, firearms, helmets and more. 

The fair also featured live music, a Rods, Rides & Relics vintage car display at The Forum, children’s games, a blacksmith, the Aroostook County Agricultural Museum, mini tractor rides, craft and food exhibits, a demolition derby and — another favorite with the younger set — monster truck rides. Overall, fair officials heard few complaints and were happy to see the fairgrounds full, Winslow said.

“There are very few things in this part of the world still operating after 170 or so years,” he said. “It’s worth saving, and we’re grateful the community helps us with that.”