Sunday, July 24, 2005
Set up the camper or roll out the tent: It's fair time, folks
July is the start of agricultural fair season here in Maine, and that means good fun for the whole family from now through early October. Why not add to the fun and make a visit to Maine's fairs a camping vacation too, for a weekend or a week. So pack up the tents and camping gear, the camping trailer or the RV. It's fair time!
"A lot of people plan their vacations around the fair they want to attend," said Muriel Bonin, Executive Secretary of the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs. "And most of Maine's fairs allow camping on-site, so folks can be close to the activities."
According to the association's Web site, the Maine agricultural fair tradition goes back 187 years, with the Skowhegan State Fair taking the honors as the longest continuous running fair in the United States. Last year, 24 Maine fairs attracted more than 850,000 visitors, and over 20,000 birds and animals and 21,000 articles were displayed in exhibit halls.
"The fairs are a way to highlight Maine's agricultural heritage, to educate the public and get them in contact with the animal life and farm products," Bonin said. "Most people today have never come in contact with a cow, for example. And milk doesn't just come from a carton you know."
Fair activities and events generally run from morning to night, with plenty to see and do for all ages.
"Maine's agricultural fairs draw people from all over," said Judy Haynes, assistant superintendent of camping with the Fryeburg Fair, Maine's largest fair. "That's because there's a little something for everybody."
There certainly is.
Each fair has its own particular flavor, but you can usually count on a wide variety of agricultural and livestock exhibits, horse and tractor pulling, crafts, woodmen's contests, forestry exhibits, a firemen's muster and parade, and commercial agriculture.
There's also plenty of musical entertainment ranging from country to rock, comedy routines and other live performances. And, of course, harness racing is always a big attraction.
And then there's my favorite: The food, the arcades and the rides. Who can resist the fried dough, cotton candy, blooming onions, French fries, sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions and cold lemonade? Or a chance to win a silly stuffed animal with the toss of a ring, a basketball or a dart? Or the thrill of a swinging seat on the Ferris wheel high above the crowd, or the whirl of the Himalaya? Or the screams and laughter of a dark walk through the funhouse?
It's all great fun!
Fair admissions range from $5 to $6 on weekdays to slightly higher on weekends. Children under 12 are generally free, and there are usually special deals for seniors. It's a great value for the wealth of entertainment, education and family fun to be had.
Camping fees are reasonable, too. The Fryeburg Fair, for example, charges $24 per night for a regular site or $30 per night for larger sites, while campsites at the Cumberland Fair are $22 per night.
Fun, farm animals and products, families, fried dough and much, much more. Mark your calendar and make your camping plans soon, because summer goes by fast and you don't want to miss out.
From Presque Isle to Blue Hill, Bangor to Fryeburg, there's very likely a fair near you.
For more information and a complete schedule of Maine's agricultural fairs, go to http://www.getrealmaine.com/visit/maine_fairs.html.
Not up for the hustle and bustle and close quarters of camping on-site at one of the fairs? Then perhaps a quiet campsite at a nearby campground would fit the bill.
The Maine Camping Guide, compiled by the Maine Campground Owners Association, has a comprehensive list of private campgrounds throughout Maine and plenty of useful camping information. You can download a free copy at www.campmaine.org or request a printed version.
There may also be a state park near your favorite fairgrounds. Check online at www.state.me.us/doc/parks/programs/index.html for a list of state parks with camping facilities.
CAREY KISH of Portland is looking forward to winter camping in Baxter State Park. He can be reached at: maineoutdoors@aol.com