The Farmington Fair coming Sept. 20 – Sept. 26

[Editor’s Note: see below for a schedule and map of events.]

FARMINGTON – For the 169th year, the Farmington Fairgrounds will open its tall chain link fence gates to pari-mutual races, midway rides, and a huge array of farm culture and heritage that draws thousands of people from all over Maine and beyond to this place for one week.

Farming is celebrated with ribbons for each show ring competition, handicraft on display, and tomato grown. At this fair, demonstrations of blacksmithing, beekeeping and chainsaw work will show how its done. At the Agriculture Museum, the farming way of life way back when is demonstrated, too, with antiques and artifacts.

Big draws include the demolition derby held Monday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m., the always-popular oxen, horse and tractor pulls throughout the week, as well as the usual, diverse selection of local entertainers, midway games and rides and refreshments.

The poultry show is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. A popular event in 2008, the show had actually been discontinued for a decade and was brought back after a small, trial exhibition in 2007 proved a crowd-pleaser. A beautiful buff-colored Orpington chicken raised by Darlene Nelson took home the blue-ribbon last year.

The Western Maine Blacksmiths and Western Mountain Beekeepers will be at the fair every day, showing off their respective crafts. 4-H Club will be having a variety of shows and events.

The Schedule for Fair Events

Below is a schedule of events for all seven days of the Farmington Fair. Please click here to access an easy-to-print version you can bring with you!

Sunday, Sept. 20: Opening Day
8:30 a.m. – Steer & Oxen Scooting Contest (boys and girls, ages 9 to 15) in the Pulling Ring.
9:00 a.m. – Team Penning in the Show Ring.
9:00 a.m. – Farmers Steer & Ox Scooting in the Pulling Ring.
9:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
11:00 a.m. – 4-H Working Steer Show in the Worthley Arena.
12:00 p.m. –  Peter Tracy Homeowner Chainsaw training in the Worthley Arena.
1:00 p.m. – Midway opens.
1:00 p.m. – (running until 6 p.m.) Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” in the Museum.
1:00 p.m. – (running until 6 p.m.) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
1:00 p.m. – Lawn Mower Pull in the Pulling Ring.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
4:00 p.m. – Farmers Ox Pull in the Pulling Ring.
6:30 p.m. – Miss Farmington Fair Pageant at the Stage.

Monday, Sept. 21: Agricultural Education Day
9:00 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show in the Show Ring.
9:00 a.m. – Farmers Horse Scooting in the Pulling Ring.
9:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
9:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
9:00 a.m. – (running until 5 p.m) Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – Farmers Horse Twitching in the Pulling Ring.
11:00 a.m. – Farmers Horse Pull in the Pulling Ring.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.) “Just the Two of Us,” Norm & Betty Decoteau.
1:00 p.m. – Antique Tractor Pull in the Pulling Ring.
2:00 p.m. – Midway open, with ride specials from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
3:00 p.m. – (running until 5 p.m.) Potpourri in the Park.
4:00 p.m. – 4-H Dairy in the Worthley Arena.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) The Pinkhams in the Park.
6:30 p.m. –  Canadian Style Percentage Pull in the Pulling Ring.
7:00 p.m. – Demolition Derby (sponsored by NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, Hight Chevrolet and Health Quest Chiropractic) at the Race Grandstand.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Senior Citizens Day
9:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – Steer & Oxen Pull open to world 1700 lbs./2100 lbs. and under in the Worthley Arena.
10:30 a.m. – Exhibition of Best Oxen and Steer Teams in the Show Ring.
10:30 a.m. – Exhibition of Registered Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn in the Worthley Arena.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.) Barry Wood in the Park. 
12:30 p.m. – Best, and Best Matched, Oxen and Steers, Beef Oxen and Steers in the Show Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Steer & Oxen Pull; world Oxen 2900 lbs. & under 6′. Elimination 3300 lbs. & under 6′ in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Baking Competition in the Exhibition Hall.
2:00 p.m. – Midway open.
2:00 p.m. – (running until 2:30 p.m.) Debbie Myers in the Park.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
4:00 p.m. – (running until 6 p.m.) The Crosby’s in the Park.  
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) Lori Pelletier in the Park.  
7:00 p.m. – (running until 9 p.m.) Atlas Pro Wrestling in the Pulling Rind.   

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Ride Special
10:00 a.m. – Oxen, 2500 lbs. & under, open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
11:00 a.m. – Oxen, 2900 lbs & under, open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.)  The Crosby’s in the Park.  
1:00 p.m. – Oxen, 3300 lbs. & under, open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Oxen, 3700 lbs. & under, open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Oxen, 4100 lbs. & under, open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Oxen Sweepstakes open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Midway open. Ride special from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m – $20. 
2:00 p.m. – (running until 4 p.m.) Dan Grady’s Marionette’s in the Museum.
2:00 p.m. – (running until 4 p.m.) Conjuring Carroll the Magician, strolling throughout fair.
2:30 p.m. – 4-H Swine Show followed by Market Swine Show in the Sheep/Hog Barn.
3:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
3:00 p.m. – (running until 5 p.m.) Barry Wood in the Park.
4:00 p.m. – 4-H Sheep Show followed by Market Lamb Show in the Sheep/Hog Barn.
5:00 p.m. – Kids Pedal Tractor Pull in the Pulling Ring.
6:00 p.m. – Kids class Steer & Oxen (boys and girls, ages 9 to 15). Any weight, open to the world.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) Lori Pelletier in the Park.  
6:30 p.m. – Oxen 6′ elimination 3700 lbs. & under, open to the world, in the Pulling Ring.
6:30 p.m. – Fireman’s Muster at the Race Grandstand.
7:00 p.m. – 4-H Market Lead Line in the Worthley Arena.
7:00 p.m. – (running until 8 p.m.) Franklin County Fiddlers at the Race Grandstand.

Thursday, Sept. 24
9:00 a.m. – Sheep Show in the Sheep/Hog Barn.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
10:30 a.m. – Horse 2900 lbs. & under in the Pulling Ring.
11:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.) Jim Palmer in the Park.
1:00 p.m. – Horse 3000 lbs., 3100 lbs., and 3200 lbs. & under in the Pulling Ring.
1:00 p.m. – Apple Pie Baking.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
2:00 p.m. – Midway open.
2:00 p.m. – (running until 4 p.m.) Dan Grady’s Marionette’s in the Museum.
3:00 p.m. – (running until 5 p.m.) Sammy Angel in the Park.
4:00 p.m. – 4-H Baby Beef Show followed by 4-H Beef Heifer Show and 4-H Market Steer Show.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) Tux Burke in the Park.
6:30 p.m. – Horse 3200 lbs. & under, 12 ft. elimination, two hitch, in the Pulling Ring.
6:30 p.m. – Truck & Tractor Pull in the Pulling Ring. 

Friday, Sept. 25
10:00 a.m. – Exhibition of Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Devon, Chianina, Shorthorn, Simmental and Belted Galloway in the Worthley Arena.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
10:30 a.m. – Horse Pull 3300 lbs. & under, open to the world, in the Pulling Ring.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.) The Crosby’s in the Park. 
1:00 p.m. – Trial of Strength of Horses, open to the world. 3400 lbs., 3600 lbs. and under, Sweepstakes open to the world in the Pulling Ring.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
3:00 p.m. – (running until 5 p.m.) Barry Wood in the Park.
3:00 p.m. – Midway open.
3:00 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Goat Show in the Worthley Arena.
6:00 p.m. – 4-H Market Lamb, Steer & Hog Show and Sale in the Sheep/Hog Barn.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) A Greater Purpose.
6:30 p.m. – Tractor/Truck Pull at the Race Grandstand.
6:30 p.m. – Trial of Strength of Horses, open to the world, 3300 lbs. and under, under/over 12 feet elimination in the Pulling Ring.

Saturday, Sept. 26: Closing Day
9:00 a.m. – Heart of Maine Dairy Goat Show.
9:00 a.m. – Poultry Show.
10:00 a.m. – Midway open.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 1 p.m) Western Maine Blacksmiths in the Museum.
10:00 a.m. – (running until 6 p.m) Western Mountain Beekeepers in the Museum.
10:30 a.m. – Draft Horse Show in the Show Ring.
10:30 p.m. – Horse Pull 2 lbs. of rock in the Pulling Ring.
12:00 p.m. – (running until 2 p.m.) Barry Wood in the Park. 
1:00 p.m. – Horse Pull 3000 lbs. & under, open to the world, 12 ft. elimination, in the Pulling Ring.
2:00 p.m. – Pari-Mutual Racing at the Race Grandstand.
2:00 p.m. – (running until 4 p.m.) Dan Grady’s Marionette’s in the Museum.
2:00 p.m. – (running until 4 p.m.) Conjuring Carroll the Magician, strolling throughout fair.
3:00 p.m. – (running until 5 p.m.) Sammy Angel in the Park.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) Moose Creek Cloggers in the Pulling Ring.
6:00 p.m. – (running until 7 p.m.) Sandy Waite Haskel in the Park.
7:00 p.m. – Mt. Blue Jazz Band in the Pulling Ring.
7:00 p.m. – Demolition Derby (sponsored by NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, Hight Chevrolet and Health Quest Chiropractic) at the Race Grandstand.

Map of Farmington Fairgrounds