FARMINGTON (SUNJOURNAL) Officials are excited to be back and hoping for good weather for the 180th Farmington Fair, which opens Sunday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 25.
Most 4-H livestock shows are a go. No swine have been entered this year, probably because there’s no auction, Secretary Neal Yeaton said.
The Heart of Maine Dairy Goats and Belted Galloway beef breeds will be shown. Other dairy, beef and sheep breeds will be on display in the barns. Lane Farms will have its barnyard display.
Harness racing will be held starting at 2 p.m. daily. The fields look good and no competing tracks will be operating, Yeaton said.
A new addition to the Farmington Fair this year is a Chaise carriage. Originally owned by Jonathan Rust or Russ, who was born in Farmington Falls in 1761, it was donated to the fair by the town of New Sharon. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Jeff O’Donnell has taken over management of the agricultural museum. New Sharon has donated a horse-drawn Chaise carriage that for years was on display at the Maine State Museum. Its owner was Jonathan Rust or Russ, who was born Dec. 21, 1761, in Farmington Falls.
“They decided they didn’t want it anymore,” O’Donnell said. “It was in storage at the New Sharon Fire Department for years. It’s still in need of some repair/restoration but it’s a nice piece to have.”
A new addition on the shingle mill houses an air compressor and other equipment, Yeaton said. Donated by O’Donnell, the large, working compressor comes from the former Pejepscot paper mill in Topsham.
Among the events not returning this year are Agriculture Day on Monday, the maple syrup house, the Elks and Farmington Historical Society food booths, and the American Legion beano, although the organization will have its Lucky 7 game.
The gazebo will be moved closer to the beano building where tables and chairs will be under cover, Pratt said. Picnic tables will be found outside, he said.
Farmington firemen are operating their booth near the pulling ring. The Farmington Grange food booth in the Exhibition Hall will sell only bagged lunches and foods to go.
With the merger of Wilson and Chesterville Granges, there will be two large displays in the Exhibition Hall. Tyler Jenness will sell his farm’s products and the Farmington Historical Society will have a display. Many Granges will be exhibiting their fancywork and all spaces in the hall are filled.
Sections of buildings have been painted, support beams replaced where needed and the ramp redone on the Exhibition Hall. The crew has been putting in 40-hour weeks to make sure everything is ready.
“It would be devastating psychologically if the fair couldn’t be held,” O’Donnell said.
“I hope that things stay together enough the way we’re at,” Yeaton added.
