by Jack Ginnetti

MARLBOROUGH, MA – Maine’s largest agricultural fair, the Fryeburg Fair, opens today (September 30th) and runs through October 7.

Billed as Maine’s ‘Blue Ribbon Classic’ fair, it celebrates its 157th year featuring a new $150,000 show stage with nightly entertainment at 8:00 p.m.

Harness racing will be conducted with 10-race cards from Tuesday, October 2 through Sunday, October 7. Post time is 1:30 p.m. Feature races of the week are the Mountain Skipper Pace and the Ed Keller Memorial Trot.

Organized in March, 1851, its humble beginnings have grown into an east coast attraction that draws some 300,000.It boasts one of the world’s largest steer and oxen show and events such as the Grand Parade, firemen’s muster, pig scramble, wreath making, tractor pulls, calf scramble, giant midway, a farm museum and exhibits galore.

Besides being one of the east coast’s top fall attractions, autumn’s foliage season is a fitting backdrop to Maine’s ‘granddaddy of all its fairs.’ It’s beautiful setting takes place on 185 acres in the Saco River Valley in the foothills of the White Mountains.