Fair events plentiful in 2012
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
History lives in Aroostook
PRESQUE ISLE — History buffs and others will have an opportunity to brush up on Aroostook County’s past, with the return of the Historical Pavilion at the Northern Maine Fair later this month.
“The 15th Historical Pavilion and Living History Demonstration will take place in the Forum on Tuesday, July 31, through Thursday, Aug. 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. daily. Admission to the Historical Pavilion is free with your paid admission to the Northern Maine Fair,” said Kim Smith, Historical Pavilion chair.
“Where else can you get so much for so little,” noted Smith.
Smith encourages all those interested to “take a fun and educational walk through Aroostook County’s past.”
“Visit with area historical societies, museums, living history demonstrators and longtime civic groups and businesses as each share their particular histories, said Smith. “Not only is this fun and entertaining, but these types of exhibits have been shown to increase community awareness as well as civic identity and pride.”
Many of the previous years’ exhibitors will be back and there will be several new exhibitors as well. There will be something for everyone.
“Learn more about your community and your family roots. Visit the Aroostook County Genealogical Society to see how easy it is to find information about your ancestors. Try some old-timey crafts. Show your children and grandchildren what it was like in the ‘good old days.’ Visit the veterans’ booth and share a story of a veteran. See exhibitors in authentic antique period clothing, antique machinery and vehicles and more,” said Smith.
“Don’t miss the opportunity to relive our area’s rich heritage,” Smith said.
For more information, call 762-1151 or e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com.
Cash prizes offered to top cooks
That favorite potato recipe could be worth money to several lucky cooks, so grab those spuds and begin preparations to enter the Potatoes for the Health of It cooking contest on Saturday, July 28, at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. The event is co-sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Potato Board.
“Entering the contest is simple: prepare a recipe using the Maine potato as a primary ingredient in a ‘heart-healthy’ recipe, type or neatly print the recipe on a recipe card or piece of paper and join us at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle between noon and 1 p.m.,” said Lisa Fishman, with the Cooperative Extension.
Judging of entries will begin promptly at 1 p.m. and winners will be announced following the judges’ decision.
“You may enter your recipe in any of six categories: soups, salads, breads, casseroles, desserts and miscellaneous. You may enter any or all categories — only one entry per category. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in each of the six categories, and a Best of Show prize of $100 will also be awarded,” said Fishman.
Recipes must contain no more than 30 percent fat and no more that 140 mg of sodium per serving, feature Maine potatoes and use ingredients that are readily available. Information on altering recipes to reduce fat and sodium is available at Cooperative Extension offices in Houlton, Fort Kent and Presque Isle.
For a complete copy of the rules and registration form, call the Cooperative Extension office at 800-287-1421.
Truck event new to fair
A new event has been added to the Northern Maine Fair’s lineup of activities, with the addition of a “Tuff Truck Competition” slated for 1 p.m. on Aug. 4.
“Local residents and racers will get a chance to show off their driving skills in a Tuff Truck event on Saturday, Aug 4, at the Northern Maine Fair. The class is open to anyone that has a pick-up truck or even a car that thinks they can beat the clock,” said Steve Smith, event organizer.
Drivers will compete maneuvering around an obstacle course.
“Racers will compete one at a time against the clock. This is one of the wildest and funniest events in the County. If you have an old junker in the back yard or you want to enter your personal vehicle, bring it on,” said Smith.
Smith advises prospective entrants to “grab a helmet and make sure your seatbelt is in working order, than plan to get into the action.”
A $25 entry fee is paid upon entering and 100 percent of the total purse is paid back to the top six places.
“We’re taking a maximum of 40 vehicles. Registration starts at 11 a.m.,” said Smith.
For more information or to register, call Smith at 227-0727. You can also contact your local auto parts dealer for a list of the rules or go to www.northernmainefair.com to download a copy.
Livestock educational exhibit
In addition to the regular animal exhibits found at the Northern Maine Fair, this year a new event has been added, the Educational Exhibit Competition.
“The Northern Maine Fair is committed to being a leader in raising awareness of the contributions that farmers make. We want everyone to be aware of the hard work and the rewards that go hand-in-hand with preserving a way of life that we as a society cannot afford to lose,” said Steve Smith, co-livestock director.
Smith stressed the importance of teaching the public various farming skills, noting the fair is the ideal place to do so.
“One of the primary missions of any agricultural fair is to educate the general public as to the contributions of the family farm in today’s world. To this end, the NMF has instituted a series of premium payments that we hope will encourage our exhibitors to share the wealth of knowledge and experience that is part of your day-to-day life with the uninformed fair-going public,” said Smith.
All exhibitors wishing to participate in the Educational Exhibit Competition must register on or before Friday, July 27. For more information or to register, call Smith at 227-0727 or Co-Livestock Director George Allen at 227-4273.
