HOULTON, Maine — Although the weather has not felt very much like summer, it is time once again for the annual Houlton Agricultural Fair.
In preparation of the four-day event, organizers of the fair have been busy putting the finishing touches on this year’s schedule. The four-day celebration, held in conjunction with the Fourth of July, kicks off Thursday, July 2 and continues through Sunday, July 5.
“We have been busy coming up with new things for people,” said Paul Cleary, fair president. Cleary is entering his eighth year as fair president and 16th year with the board.
For the seventh straight year, the gate fee for the fair remains $10 per person and includes all rides and entertainment. However, on Thursday there will be free admission to the park, with 4-H events starting at 10 a.m. The gates, however, do not open until 3 p.m. that day. Those who wish to go on the rides, a $10 bracelet may be purchased, Cleary said.
“If anyone wants to come to the fair on Thursday, once the gates open at 3 p.m., they can get in for free,” Cleary said. “If they want to ride the rides, they can buy a bracelet for that day.”
Smokey’s Greater Shows will once again be providing the midway entertainment with 15-18 rides coming to town. Cleary acknowledged the fact that a ride malfunction with Smokey’s Greater Shows during an event in Waterville last month caused some concern and discussion by the fair board. However, Cleary added it was the fair board’s decision not to alter its plans for midway entertainment.
“When anyone gets hurt there is a concern, whether it happens here or 200 miles away,” Cleary said. “Smokey’s Greater Shows has been in business for 60 years and has a very good track record of being safe. We have spoken to them and they have assured us that it won’t be an issue.”
Cleary said for the past seven years Smokey’s Greater Shows has come to the Houlton Fair and only one minor incident has occurred during that time span.
He explained a representative from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office inspects the rides at each location prior to the midway opening. Cleary said the inspection process is quite rigorous.
“They can fail a ride for something as simple as two screws sticking out that could scrape somebody,” Cleary said. “They are very thorough and that is a good thing.”
Cleary added there have been no major incidents with Houlton’s festival during the 28 years it has been a licensed state fair.
For more information on the Houlton Agricultural Fair, visit the group’s Facebook page or go to www.houltonfair.com.
Editor’s Note: A full schedule of the Houlton Agricultural Fair can be found on pages 4-6B.
