" " " Maine's Waterfront Real Estate News: Cool Stuff: Go to a Country Fair

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Cool Stuff: Go to a Country Fair

Maine boasts of 24 agricultural fairs (or harvest festivals) -- the best educational entertainment you can find for the entire family The season starts in July and ends in early October. For the entire list, go to www.MELiving.com/fairs.




One of the oldest -- and we think best -- is the Union Fair and State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival, held this year from August 17th to August 23rd.

Union's first fair was held in October, 1869, and has b een held annually ever since, except for the war years of 1943 1nd 1944. In the early years, exhibitors and visitors arrived by foot, horses, wagons and carriages. Exhibits were for field crops, carriages, agricultural implements, fruits, dairy products, embroidery, quilts, rugs and other homemade crafts. Competitions in plowing by horses and oxen were held.

By 1915, long lines of automobiles waiting to get into the fair gave evidence that cars were here to stay.



Today, the fair still has many agricultural events like livestock exhibits and competitions for cattle, horses, sheep, swine and poultry -- plus farm machinery exhibits and household crafts, baking and 4 H competitions -- but now the fair includes a carnival midway with rides and games, and daily harness racing, entertainment and music.


In addition, some events not to be missed are:

* Rooster Crowing & Hen Cackling Contest
* Oxen Pulling Competition
* Pig Scrambles (a blast for the kids)
* Lawn Mower Races
* Kid's Wild Blueberry Pie Eating Contest
* Demolition Derby
* Bubblegum Blowing Contest
* Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind
* Fireworks Show

For more information, go to www.unionfair.org

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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___________________
Jessica
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