The 2024 Northern Maine Fair wrapped up a successful run Sunday following five days of motorsports, 4-H and farm exhibits, kids’ activities and more.
Official tallies aren’t in yet, but attendance was solid, said Fair President Lynwood Winslow on Monday.
“Overall, we had a great fair and we’re going to be up a little in revenue,” Winslow said. “And we had tremendous positive feedback from the new bleachers.”
When the iconic three-story wooden grandstand was deemed unsafe earlier this year, the fair association scrambled to come up with a solution. New aluminum bleachers, paid for in part by community donations and other contributions, were installed in front of the grandstand.
There were three evenings of the always popular truck and tractor pulls in the infield, including modified and lawn mower events, as well as the demolition derby on Sunday afternoon.
Despite occasional rain, fairgoers turned out for many fair activities and shows, including the Rods, Rides and Relics car show, performances from juggler Jason Tardy and Axe Women Loggers of Maine, live music, talks by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and agricultural exhibits.
Saturday was hot and humid, but the fair was packed with kids (and guardians) going through the award-winning interactive exhibits Li’l Farmers at the Fair, which teaches kids about where food comes from, and Li’l Lumberjacks at the Fair, which gives them a child’s-eye view of the state’s forestry industry.
Horse show activity wrapped up at the George Allen Memorial Horse Show ring. Fairgoers enjoyed treats at the food court with live music, and the bleachers were filled to capacity for truck and tractor pulls.
Over at the animal barns, people viewed and interacted with cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats — and even alpacas. Kids wandered through the Farm Animal Experience, exclaiming in delight at chicks, a miniature horse, baby goats and more.
The annual 4-H Baby Beef Auction was held, where teens sold steers they had raised to the highest bidders. Jacob Orkins of Chapman, originally from Florida, took part for the first time.
“I was talking with friends one day, and Emily Braley started talking about 4-H,” he said. “I got interested and kept learning more about it.”
Orkins’ steer, Chug, an Angus-Hereford cross, weighed 985 pounds and was sold at the auction to Green Meadow Farms. Though a bit stressful for the animal with all the noise and people, Chug performed well, Orkins said.
Fair officials heard many positive responses about the Li’l Farmers and Li’l Lumberjacks stations, as well as the animals, Winslow said.
“Everybody was happy on our end, and I think the fairgoers were happy as well,” he said. “I think the bleachers gave a new feel for the pulls and the derby. They put everybody a little closer to the action.”
