by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Two veteran harness officials are handling the demonstration harness racing events at Maine’s Blue Hill Fair, which concludes its five-day festivities on Monday, Labor Day.

Bill Ellis and Clayt Smith, who have called many a race in their careers, are the fair’s racing officials. Eillis has been calling races for more than 30 years, while Smith was the track announcer for years at Rockingham Park. He also serves as race secretary at many of the Pine Tree State fairs including the Fryeburg Fair.

Billed by organizers as Maine’s ‘down to earth country fair,’ it’s situated in the small coastal town of Blue Hill and located on Route 172.

Eillis, an officer of the New England Harness Writers Association, calls the fair ‘one of his favorites.’

“I guess what grabs you right away is the fair’s sense of simplicity, such as a rope start for the harness racing non-pari-mutuel events.”

The fair’s top winning drivers since 1992 include Vernal Sinclair (26), Russell Lampher III (14), Frank Hall, Jr. (13), Wesley Brown, Jr. (13) and Paul Bresciani (13). Bangor, Maine’s drivers William Varney, Hall, Ken Lantz, Vernal Sinclair, Lampher, Bresciani, Randal Smith, and Wilbur Brown all hold pacing and trotting marks in harnesss horse races at Blue Hill.

The program and track records compiled by Ellis for this year’s event pays homage to the memory of George Rolleston and Bill Hanscom.

September 1 is the last day to attend one of Maine’s ‘hidden gems,’ which also features draft horse and oxen pulling, sheep dog trials, Grange and 4-H displays, entertainment, including Blue Hill favorites Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum Band, a giant midway, and fireworks. It gets underway at 4:00 p.m.

And if you should happen to meet Jim and May Davidson while enjoying your day at the fair, say thanks, the 2008 fair marks their 52nd consecutive year serving as superintendents.

For more information log on to www.bluehillfair.com.