PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Thousands crowded The Forum during the weekend of March 25 and 26 to see the latest agriculture-related tools and technology at the 37th annual Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair.
Attendance jumped more than 30 percent over last year, said Tim Goff, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, thanks largely to the addition of the Aroostook County specialty foods sample space.
“Doors opened early to help manage the crowds gathered before 9 a.m. Saturday morning, and the steady stream of traffic barely let up over the two-day event,” Goff said.
“We have received a tremendous positive response from our exhibitors, and from those attending the Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair, about the addition of the Specialty Foods Sample Space,” he said. “We are thrilled to be able to use this event as an opportunity to showcase some of the great foods and products being made and grown here in The County and get them in the hands and bellies of folks from near and far.”
Everything from naturally raised meats to locally grown fruits and vegetables, gourmet roasted coffees, cooking sauces, baked goods, ployes, syrups, marshmallows and much more were available for the more than 4,500 visitors to sample. The new attraction boosted attendance, fueling even better results for more than 50 exhibitors.
“This is a chance for us to boost local businesses by creating connections between them and their customers,” explained Goff. “By tapping into the strong desire we have seen throughout the state of Maine for local foods, we were able to add a new wrinkle to our event while maintaining the connection to agriculture that the Trade Fair was built upon.”
A panel of judges determined the best booths. In the small booth category, Dead River Company was judged to have provided the premium experience with their combination of giveaways, engagement with attendees and attractive informational displays.
In the large booth category, Cary Medical Center/Pines Health Services/Healthy You earned top honors for its functionality and features. The booth put Loring Job Corps students to work serving up hearty helpings of the new Caribou Russet to hungry fairgoers and provided a seating area, as well as information, stuffed into its booth.
“The Trade Fair was a tremendous success this year, and there are many people to thank for their efforts and support — including The Maine Potato Board, Cary Medical Center and Healthy You,” said Goff. “We will take all the feedback we received from exhibitors, vendors and our guests and work with our partners to provide an even better experience next year.”
For more information on becoming an exhibitor or about next year’s trade fair, scheduled March 24 and 25, 2018, contact Tim Goff at 472-3802 or email tgoff@fortfairfield.org.
