Northern Maine Fair
aims to involve entire community
By Kathy McCarty
THE NORTHERN MAINE FAIR begins Friday, July 30 and concludes on Saturday, Aug. 7. Discussing the details of this year’s festivities during a press conference in Presque Isle were, pictured from left: Lynwood Winslow, past president, Northern Maine Fair Association Board of Directors; and Board member Roger Hoffses. Hoffses spoke of the good relationship that’s developed over the years with Bud Gilmore, owner of Smokey’s Greater Shows, and what fairgoers have to look forward to this year.
PRESQUE ISLE — The Northern Maine Fair is a community event, from the many volunteers who spend months planning every detail to the crafters and farmers who share a glimpse of their world with the hundreds who attend the annual event. Each year fair-goers of all ages take in the many shows, enjoy the rides and sample a variety of treats that always taste better for some reason when eaten accompanied by the sights and sounds of what has been an Aroostook County tradition for 156 years.
That was the message of the Northern Maine Fair Association Board of Directors during a lunchtime press conference held at the Exhibition Hall on Friday, July 23.
ANDY LeBLANC, president of the Northern Maine Fair Association, led a press conference on Friday highlighting what’s new this season and what board members are doing to improve the fair from year to year.
“It takes a lot of people to make this happen,” said NMFA President Andy LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said the planning never ends.
“Almost directly after this (this year’s fair) is over, we’ll start all over. It takes a lot to make these nine days happen,” he said.
Officials are constantly looking for new ideas to keep the fair current and keep people interested.
“We’re excited to have a live satellite feed this year marking the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary. On Saturday, July 31, the entire Scouting family across the United States will be able to take part in an historic nationwide broadcast, “A Shining Light Across America,” from the National Jamboree in Fort AP Hill, Va. That will be set up in front of the Presque Isle Indoor Pool,” LeBlanc said.
Uniformed active Cub/Boy Scouts and adult leaders will be admitted free at the gate and volunteers from the Katahdin Area Council, North Star District Boy Scouts, invite the general public, former Scouts and leaders to join in the celebration.
Other new events this year include a tiger show, a comedian and the Miss Northern Maine Fair Pageant.
“One of our new attractions this year will be Vicenta Pages and her white Bengal tigers. This is the Chinese year of the tiger and we thought it would be a great addition to the fair. She will be here all nine days performing two to three shows daily behind the grandstand. In addition, Michael Trautman and his Physical Comedy Theater will also be performing Monday through Thursday behind the grandstand,” said LeBlanc.
The pageant will take place Friday, Aug. 6. For more information, contact Carrie Winslow, pageant organizer, at 764-4924 or e-mail mefairpavillion@aol.com.
“This is our first year running a pageant. The idea is for us to not have a Miss America pageant but to have fun at the fair,” said Lynwood Winslow, past president of the NMFA board of directors.
LeBlanc said a lot has been done around the grounds, including rejuvenating Olde McDonald’s Farm.
“People remember livestock exhibits, milking demonstrations, things like that,” he said. “The fair is one of the best lines of education. We offer things most people don’t see any more. We also have many popular features returning — the demolition derby, harness racing, ATV drag racing, truck and tractor pulls, a bike show and more.”
Following a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the many reasons to come to the fair, discussion continued on what was planned for this year’s event. Gates officially open on July 30 and activities will continue through Aug. 7.
“We have 38 volunteers and up to 500 others who’ve worked very hard to put this year’s program of events together,” said Winslow.
Winslow said each year brings new things — new displays, vendors and shows.
“We’re back to three nights of harness racing; we’ll have nightly cooking contests,” said Winslow.
A new transportation show called Rods, Rides & Relics will be held at the Forum July 31 and Aug. 1, featuring antique cars, trucks, muscle cars, hot rods, project vehicles and more.
“One thing the board is not afraid of is changing things up. We’ve done tweaking with a lot of the programs,” added LeBlanc.
Music continues to be a popular attraction.
“It’s developing into a major music festival. We have special nights (featuring different types of music). The idea is to show different cultures through the diversity of music we have in the region,” said Kevin McCartney, vice president, NMFA board of directors. “We continue to build on that.”
The Princess and Pirate Party is also returning this year.
“We were surprised when the Princess and Pirate parties took off — first event was 60-70 people having the dangdest time. These things steamroll,” said McCartney.
“The Princess and Pirate Party is one of those ‘who knew’ things,” said LeBlanc.
Board member Cheryl Boulier said the fair served as a learning experience, providing education in a fun setting.
“We’re trying to incorporate educational pieces. We’ll be able to offer demonstrations inside the Agricultural Building. Much of the machinery still works,” Boulier said. “That (the building constructed last year) is a work in progress.”
The Exhibition Hall is another popular attraction.
“People bring in an amazing amount of items to display. The building is something we’ve looked to improve — freshen up,” said Christa Galipeau, NMFA secretary. “The Hall is another effort to educate. A lot of people don’t know how to make doilies or other crafts. This makes the fair more fun and interesting. The more items people exhibit — they can’t wait to get back to see if they’ve won a ribbon.”
Roger Hoffses, a 35-year NMFA board member, acknowledged the fair has been “through some tough times.”
“We’ve had some contract problems over the years and other issues. Smokey’s Greater Shows is anxious to come back,” said Hoffses.
Hoffses said he worked with the company all winter, including visiting the owner over the winter in Florida.
“He’s about a four-hour ride from me in Florida. He talked my ear off about the midway. Fortunately, we have a guy (Smokey’s owner, Bud Gilmore) from Maine — a Ricker College graduate — who loves to come and understands how we do business,” he said. “He came up to me last year and put a check in my pocket — gave me $5,000 last year — told me if he did well, he’d do it again.”
Ray Lamoreau — past president and longest member of the board of directors at 53 years and counting — credited community interaction with the fair’s success.
“Our success over the years is due to the relationship we have with the public. That was evidenced a few years ago when, with the public’s help, we raised $100,000 for construction of the Agricultural Building,” said Lamoreau.
LeBlanc said the fair continues to evolve, with the public’s help.
“We’re open to suggestions, ideas. If anyone has a comment, we’d love to hear it. We want to move forward and continue to grow. We can do that with the public’s input,” said LeBlanc.
Events get into full swing on Friday, July 30.
“There will be a large grand opening/ribbon cutting in front of the grandstand prior to the start of truck and tractor pulling on Friday at 6 p.m. in front of the grandstand,” said LeBlanc.
For more information, fair magazines can be picked up at various businesses throughout Aroostook County or visit www.NorthernMaineFair.com.
