Farmington Fair is set to open Sept. 19 to 25. Jeff O’Donnell stands beside the large air compressor he donated to the fair. It is found in a new addition on the shingle mill. Originally from the Pejebscot paper mill, the compressor still works. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
FARMINGTON — Fair officials are excited to be back and hoping for good weather for the 180th Farmington Fair. The fair was canceled last year because of COVID-19 and unless things change at the state level, the fair is a go.
Some things will remain similar to past years, others won’t.
Cushing Amusements, the new midway in 2019, is coming back, Secretary Neal Yeaton said last week.
“It’s a very good midway, they tell me they’ve got something new,” he said. “They told me I would have to go to Clinton or Blue Hill to find out what it was or wait until they get here. The way it looks, I might have to wait until they get here.”
COVID-19
Maine CDC guidelines regarding the coronavirus require that masks be worn in buildings and one-way traffic be observed indoors. Signs will be installed but officials admit it will be difficult to enforce.
Two dozen new hand sanitizing stations were purchased and will be installed around the fairgrounds, Yeaton said.
Franklin Memorial Hospital has obtained a grant so attendees can get their COVID-19 vaccination while at the fair. NorthStar personnel will be giving the vaccinations, most likely at the first aid building. Flu shots will also be given out of the Healthy Community Coalition van by the racetrack.
Baby changing stations have been added to the bathrooms near the Exhibition Hall.
4-H
Yeaton is excited that 4-H programs will be participating, although the 4-H livestock auctions were canceled earlier this year.
“It’s unfortunate,” Yeaton said. “This whole COVID thing has affected 4-H big time. They haven’t been able to meet. It seems they can make projects better when they can physically come together. They don’t get so much out of it.”
Most 4-H livestock shows are a go. No swine have been entered this year, probably because there’s no auction, Yeaton said.
The Heart of Maine Dairy Goats and Belted Galloway beef breeds will have shows. Other dairy, beef and sheep breeds will be on display in the barns. Lane Farms will have their barnyard display.
Races will be held starting at 2 p.m. daily. The fields look good and no competing tracks will be operating, Yeaton said.
SOME FAIR ATTRACTIONS WON’T BE FOUND THIS YEAR
Agriculture Day on Monday isn’t happening. The maple syrup house won’t be open, nor will the Elks and Farmington Historical Society food booths. American Legion won’t be offering Beano, although they will have their Lucky 7 game.
The gazebo will be moved closer to the Beano building where tables and chairs will be set up undercover, Pratt said. Picnic tables will still be found outside, he said.
Farmington Firemen are just operating their booth near the pulling ring. The Farmington Grange food booth in the Exhibition Hall will only be selling bagged lunches, foods to go.
With the merger of Wilson and Chesterville Granges, there will only be two large displays in the Exhibition Hall. The Farmington Historical Society will have a display.
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.
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