CUMBERLAND — The county celebrates its agricultural roots and the beginning of autumn with the 144th annual Cumberland County Fair from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4.
Children 12 and younger get in for free, while adults pay $10 each day, and seniors pay $3 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Thursday, Oct. 1. Most buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the 197 Blanchard Road fairgrounds.
Opening Day, which is also Veterans Appreciation Day, features professional bull riding, presented by Rawhide Rodeo at the museum area at 2 p.m. Demolition derby is at the Grandstands at 6:30 p.m.
The Colby College Woodman’s Team shows its stuff at the museum area at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the Don Campbell Band and Corland Richards & Co. perform on the main stage, in front of the Exhibition Hall, at noon and 3 p.m., respectively.
Monday, Sept. 28, is Maine Agriculture Day, hosted at the Exhibition Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $15 allows patrons to go on all the fair rides. Sheepdog demonstrations will be held at the racetrack infield at 10 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. The Bob Charest Band takes to the main stage at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, is Senior Citizens Day. Crossroads and the Larry Williams Band (presented by Tony Boffa) play the main stage at 4 and 7 p.m., respectively. A children’s rodeo will be held in the museum area at 4 p.m., and the Law Enforcement Demolition Derby takes place in front of the Grandstands at 6:30 p.m.
The Don Campbell Band returns at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, and the $15 ride promotion and children’s rodeo (4 p.m.) are back that day, too. Mad Science will be presented on the main stage at 1 p.m.
Tricky Britches revs up the main stage at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. Also that day, the Exchange St. Barbershop Quartet roams the fairgrounds from 3-7 p.m., and the annual classic car show lights up the fourth turn of the racetrack at 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2, is the fair’s Maine Maple Day, with syrup and pancake samples offered at the Sugar House from 9-11 a.m. Debbie Meyers performs at 5 p.m., the antique tractor pull follows in front of the Grandstands at 6 p.m., and the rodeo is back at the museum area at 6:30 p.m.
The rodeo continues at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and American Ride takes to the main stage at 3:30 p.m. “World of Horses” is showcased at the pulling arena at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks end the day with a bang around 8:30 p.m.
Admission is free on closing day, Sunday, Oct. 4.
The complete schedule of fair events is online at cumberlandfair.com.
Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.
The Cumberland Fair returns Sept. 27 to Oct. 4.
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