Maine’s county fairs offer a deep connection to the state’s agricultural traditions and lifestyles. The Skowhegan State Fair is not only Maine’s oldest agricultural fair, with roots dating back to 1818, but also the oldest continuing agricultural fair in the United States. This year, it runs from August 7 to 16, 2025. The Windsor Fair will be held from August 23 to September 1, 2025, and has become Maine’s second-largest agricultural fair. The Common Ground Country Fair originated during the back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s and is an annual celebration of rural living, sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. This year’s fair will take place from September 19 to 21 in Unity, and, as always, the focus is on organic farming techniques and sustainable living. It’s a showcase for rural crafts, featuring demonstrations of spinning and carding wool. There will be a draft horse show, sheepdog trials, and demonstrations of stonework, tree identification, and workshops on animal husbandry. The state’s most popular fair is The Fryeburg Fair, which dates back to 1851 and inspired E.B. White’s children’s classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” Today, the fair offers classic events such as team pulling, 4-H awards, and the famous pig scramble. There’s a large arcade with vintage carnival rides, harness racing, sheepdog trials, and tractor pulls. This year’s dates are September 27- October 5.   back...