Your Scribe plans to attend two fairs in the next week, the Farmington Fair in Farmington and the Common Ground Fair in Unity. Farmington is the 16th-22nd, and the Common Ground is Sept. 21-23.

Farmington is the old fashioned rural fair, with events such as ox pulls, racing of pacers and trotters, colorful kiddie rides and "games of chance."

There are also several large exhibition halls where farming families exhibit their wares from jams and jellies to sewing and knitting to carrots and pumpkins.

I must report that the most well-attended event is the demolition derby, which I do not plan to witness.

My favorite spectator activity is team penning, in which a team of three on horseback tries to drive chosen cattle into a waiting pen.

Being a devotee of history, I also like the halls that have old farm machinery, and pictures of farming families who operated them. I am always wondering how people in Maine survived the winters a century ago.

The Common Ground Fair features the organic "modern" farmer and homesteader. Last year's event was disappointing, however.

It rained, and a muddy fair is a hassle-laden fair. Also, the food stands were inefficient and ill-equipped. I know it doesn't sound very "back to the earth" of me to complain about long lines and sold-out kitchens but in the end I am a consumer and the MOFGA crowd that runs the annual event needs all the visitors they can get.

My favorite area is the stove and wood-cutting sector. Last year I was intrigued by a mega wood-burning stove that, located outside the residence, creates enough heat to warm the whole house. An owner would expect to burn 10 cords or more per year.

Since then, I have read that complaints have been filed on the state level about the amount of smoke they can generate for (annoyed) downwind neighbors. I will be interested in learning whether this promising contraption actually can be implemented.

It's a good time of the year for those who want to sample Maine life through their own eyes, ears and taste buds - rather than through a car window or TV images.

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