Are You Ready for Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic? Here’s The Full 2017 Fryeburg Fair Schedule!
The Fryeburg Fair, established in 1851, will host its 167th annual eight-day Fair October 1-8 in Fryeburg, Maine. It's considered to be one of the best agricultural fairs in the U.S., and offers non-stop livestock, agriculture and farming exhibitions with over 3,000 head of large animals - cattle, horses, oxen, steers, ponies and hundreds of smaller animals - sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, rabbits, and more.
Traditional Fair highlights include horse and ox pulling, draft horse tandem hitches up to eight, calf and pig scrambles, cooking contests, flower shows, exhibition halls of crafts, handiwork, photos, art, forest and wood products; a full museum of old farm equipment and memorabilia with live demonstrations; the "Little Red Schoolhouse" built in 1835; the milking parlor, sheepdog trials, tractor pulling, 4WD pulls and pari-mutuel harness racing on the Fair's half-mile track. The Fair’s Specialty Foods Pavilion offers innovative food products made with local farm ingredients. The Expo Center features 9,000 square feet of commercial exhibits. Rides for all ages and food selections for every taste are everywhere at Fryeburg Fair.
The annual Firemen’s Muster opens the Fair on Sunday, October 1st at 9 a.m. Fire departments and their members from far and wide compete in events like the ladder climb, wet hose, the ball squirt and more. It’s a fun way to appreciate our firefighters and see them in non-emergency action!
The 50th Annual Woodsmen’s Field Day is on Monday, October 2nd beginning at 9 a.m. and will begin with a flyover by the West Point Black Knights Parachute Team. This event is the largest spectator woodsmens event in North America. Contestants come from all over the U.S. and Canada to compete in over 34 woods skills events such as log-rolling, axe throwing, standing block chop, tree felling, skidder driving and log loading. A 28-page commemorative booklet will be on sale to fairgoers outlining the history of this event along with photos, lists of champions and highlights from its first 50 years. Get there early as crowds are expected to be big.
The Fair’s very popular Skillet Throw is also on Monday, October 2nd, starting at noon, and celebrates it’s 30th anniversary inspiring women to catapult a cast iron pan as far as possible! It’s serious competition as top contenders return every year. The recently added Anvil Throw for men follows this event at 1:30.
Over 150 daily entertainers perform in six different parks and the Fair’s signature Night Shows begin at 8 pm at the Grandstand. This year’s Night Show lineup - Monday night – Tom Dixon (Country); Tuesday night – Eliminator K.C. (ZZ Top Tribute Band); Wednesday night - Cassadee Pope (Country); Thursday night – High Valley (Country); Friday night – Motor Booty Affair (retro 70’s Disco & Dance) and Saturday night - Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (Bluegrass). The annual Fireworks show is Friday night at 9 p.m. right after the Night Show ends. Saturday's 10 a.m. Grand Parade is two hours of Fryeburg Fair's best on display. The Fair is known for the best French fries made with just harvested Maine potatoes, along with an incredible variety of food choices for every palate!
Camping at Fryeburg Fair is very popular and always fun with 3,000 campsites.
General Admission is $12 daily and includes the 8 pm Night Show. Weekly passes (all 8 days) are $65. Children under 12 are always free. Tuesday is Senior Citizen’s Day (65 & over are admitted free). Gates open at 7 am. Harness Racing starts at 1:30 Tuesday thru Sunday. Group tickets sales available. Fair Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 9-3.
Information in this post provided by the Fryeburg Fair's Information page, online here.