TOPSHAM — The Topsham Fair is bringing back the Miss Topsham Fair Pageant for the first time this century.

The 162nd fair runs this year from Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 14.

Audrey Thames – Miss Maine 2014, a Miss America contestant, and daughter of former Topsham Public Works Director Wes Thames – will run the pageant, to be held at Area 3 on Friday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship. 

The fair also features monster truck shows, demolition derbies, live music, fireworks, and recalls the 302-year-old town’s agricultural heritage.

Marilyn Hunter, the fair’s director of entertainment and marketing, said fairs are more important than ever, since they showcase a way of life not every family experiences at home anymore.

“People can get in touch with the side of agriculture that has to do with how their food is made, and what goes into farming,” Hunter said last week.

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The Topsham Fair has always been a part of Hunter’s life. Her great-grandfather, grandparents, great uncle and cousins all served on the fair board. Hunter has been on the board since 2008, a few years after moving back to the area after graduating college.

A full schedule of the fair’s offerings is available at topshamfair.net.

Harness racing at Area 1 precedes the fair kickoff at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, and Monday, Aug. 8. It continues Tuesday at 5 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., and Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Mallett Brothers Band takes the Area 3 stage at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by ATV mud runs at Area 6 at 7 p.m.

A demolition derby will be held at Area 1 at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday. A monster truck show will take place there at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Fireworks will light the sky over Area 1 at 10 p.m. Saturday. A “redneck truck pull” will wrap up the fair at Area 1 Sunday at 4 p.m.

Admission is $10 Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and $12 Thursday-Saturday. Those 63 and older get in for $3 Tuesday, Aug. 9, which is Senior Day.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.


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