HOULTON, Maine — Fourth of July may seem like a way off, but plans for the upcoming Houlton Agricultural Fair are well under way. Paul Cleary, president of the fair’s board, said plenty of new and old attractions are scheduled for the July 3-6 fair.
“One of our new attractions this year will be Sam Johnson or ‘Circus Sam,’” explained Cleary. “He’s originally from Houlton and he’s been part of a circus. His act includes juggling knives, riding and walking a low wire, riding a unicycle and those types of things.”
Kachunga and the Alligator Show, featured at the fair two years ago, will be back again, sharing information and demonstrations with his animals.
Other more traditional favorites on the schedule include: truck pulls on July 3, mud runs on July 4 and a demolition derby on July 6. Fair organizers are also adding a second demolition derby event July 5.
“It will be totally different from the July 6 demolition derby,” explained Cleary. “For the July 5 derby, we want to challenge local organizations to challenge each other. We’re hoping to see local fire departments take on each other, for example, or area lawyers. We want to make it an annual event with a traveling trophy.”
The livestock division will also be expanded for the 2008 fair.
“Our livestock area will be bigger with more animals, including oxen and alpacas,” said. Cleary.
The fair schedule will also feature a rib fest, antique tractor pulls, horse shows and a bigger fireworks show. Smokey’s Greater Shows will again provide the rides and plenty of games are also on tap.
Attendees will have the chance to show their “moxie” with a Moxie chugging contest; contestants of all ages will race to see who can drink a 16-ounce bottle of Moxie the fastest. Other competitions include an Oreo stacking contest, a burping contest, kid’s karaoke, pig scrambles, frog jumping contest, an eel race and more.
“The Houlton fair is known as being one with the most kid’s games,” added Cleary.
Gate fee this year will be $9, a price which includes all rides. Picture pass days will be held at the exhibit hall at Community Park on Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 3-day pass can be purchased for $23 without rides or $28 with rides.
For more information on this year’s fair or for continuing updates, visit www.houltonfair.com.
“One of our new attractions this year will be Sam Johnson or ‘Circus Sam,’” explained Cleary. “He’s originally from Houlton and he’s been part of a circus. His act includes juggling knives, riding and walking a low wire, riding a unicycle and those types of things.”
Kachunga and the Alligator Show, featured at the fair two years ago, will be back again, sharing information and demonstrations with his animals.
Other more traditional favorites on the schedule include: truck pulls on July 3, mud runs on July 4 and a demolition derby on July 6. Fair organizers are also adding a second demolition derby event July 5.
“It will be totally different from the July 6 demolition derby,” explained Cleary. “For the July 5 derby, we want to challenge local organizations to challenge each other. We’re hoping to see local fire departments take on each other, for example, or area lawyers. We want to make it an annual event with a traveling trophy.”
The livestock division will also be expanded for the 2008 fair.
“Our livestock area will be bigger with more animals, including oxen and alpacas,” said. Cleary.
The fair schedule will also feature a rib fest, antique tractor pulls, horse shows and a bigger fireworks show. Smokey’s Greater Shows will again provide the rides and plenty of games are also on tap.
Attendees will have the chance to show their “moxie” with a Moxie chugging contest; contestants of all ages will race to see who can drink a 16-ounce bottle of Moxie the fastest. Other competitions include an Oreo stacking contest, a burping contest, kid’s karaoke, pig scrambles, frog jumping contest, an eel race and more.
“The Houlton fair is known as being one with the most kid’s games,” added Cleary.
Gate fee this year will be $9, a price which includes all rides. Picture pass days will be held at the exhibit hall at Community Park on Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 3-day pass can be purchased for $23 without rides or $28 with rides.
For more information on this year’s fair or for continuing updates, visit www.houltonfair.com.
