CUMBERLAND — Free parking this year joins the list of reasons to visit the 141st year of farm-centric fun at the Cumberland County Fair.
The event runs Sunday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Blanchard Road.
After you’ve parked for free, opening day features music from the Don Campbell band at noon on the Main Stage, in front of the Exhibition Hall, as well as the Colby College Woodman’s Team in the museum area at 2:30 p.m. and comedian Bob Marley in front of the Grandstand at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 24, is Maine Agriculture Day, and features the Bob Charest Band on the Main Stage at 6 p.m., as well as a special ride promotion – $15 to go on all the rides. That promotion will also run on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tuesday and Thursday are senior citizens days, with people 65 and older admitted to the fair for just $3. Tuesday also features Taylor’s Grove at the Entertainment Building at 1 p.m., St. Savieous & Friends performing southern gospel on the Main Stage at 3 p.m., and Tony Boffa performing on that stage at 7 p.m.
The Don Campbell Band is back on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Prior to that, the Demoliton Derby will be held at the infield of the racetrack at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 27, offers the Downeast Brass Band on the Main Stage at 3 p.m., Bobby Reed on that stage at 6:30 p.m., the fourth annual Classic Car Show on the race track at 6 p.m., lawnmower racing in front of the Grand Stand at 6:30 p.m., and the Hyssongs gospel group at the Entertainment Building at both 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Maine Maple Day is celebrated on Friday, Sept. 28. Debbie Meyers performs on the Main Stage at 5 p.m., and an international horse pull – the U.S. versus Canada – will be held at the pulling arena at 7 p.m.
Everything up on Saturday, Sept. 29, with Brian Wardwell at 1 p.m. and the Northern Groove Band at 3:30 p.m., both on the Main Stage, the NPPA Truck Pull in front of the Grandstand at 6:30 p.m., and the World of Horses show at the pulling arena at 7 p.m.
Besides the addition of free parking this year, food and animals are traditional attractions, Mike Timmons, fair president, said last week.
“I’ve tried to reinforce to all the superintendents to make sure to do the best we can to have the barns full of animals, from the 4-H end, to the oxen and horses,” he said.
Timmons said he hopes the sun will shine throughout the week, and that “people can come in and have a wonderful family affair.”
Admission is $9 for people 13 and older, while children 12 and younger get in for free.
Log onto cumberlandfair.com for a full schedule of events.
Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.
Sidebar Elements
The midway is all folks and food on opening day at the the Cumberland County Fair last year. This year’s week-long festival of agriculture and entertainment opens on Sunday, Sept. 23.
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