After the fireworks sizzle out on Fourth of July, as long summer days in Maine roll on, fair season begins. From mid-July to early October, spread from southern Maine to way up north in The County, agricultural fairs are a time-honored tradition -- not just in Maine, but across the world. The first ancestor of today's state and county fairs was an agricultural show in Lancashire, England in 1768. Over the next two and a half centuries, what began as a way for rural people to gather and celebrate the results of their hard work -- plus engage in some good old-fashioned competition -- has grown into a beloved tradition with modern updates like carnival rides, live music, and endless food stands.
But the heart of the agricultural fair remains the livestock show. Farmers, families and 4-H organizations bring their prized animals to be exhibited and judged against the animals' breed standards. Contests like tractor pulls and Visitors can walk through chicken coops, horse stables and cattle barns to take a closer look and learn more about these locally raised animals. Crowds gather to watch tractor pulls, sheep shearing demonstrations, calf scrambles, and more.
To celebrate the start of fair season for 2024, we've rounded up the complete Maine fair schedule, other family-favorite fair picks from around New England -- plus all-aluminum Frontier Trailers for getting animals to and from the fairgrounds!
Check out the lineup of Maine's 2024 agricultural fairs! The season begins just after July 4th and continues through early October, culminating in the famous Fryeburg Fair.
Maine's neighboring states have a thriving fair season underway, too! The Vermont & New Hampshire Fair Association website offers a listing of fairs in both states, from the Vermont Maple Festival in late April to New Hampshire's Sandwich Fair in mid-October. In 2024, the Vermont State Fair celebrates its 178th year (Aug. 13-17).
Connecticut's Goshen Fair has been a Labor Day weekend tradition since 1910. Rhode Island's Washington County Fair (Aug. 14-18) features New England's largest traveling roller coaster. And in Massachusetts, don't miss the biggest fair in New England: The Big E. It's known as the biggest party on the East coast -- a two-week extravaganza scheduled for September 13-29, 2024.
For farmers, transporting animals to the fairgrounds is an important part of fair season. Getting around New England requires a dependable ride, and animals have specific needs -- like food, water, and ventilation -- that snowmobiles and other cargo don't require. That's why Frontier Trailers is focused specifically on horse and livestock trailers!
Built for years of dependable transportation for your animals, Frontier Trailers are all aluminum, all welded, and made in the USA. For any Fryeburg Fair hopefuls, 4-H families, farmers -- or anybody who's ready for a new trailer, Frontier has the answer with a lineup of aluminum livestock haulers, including:
Headed to the fair this season? Say hello to some of our dealers at the fair this season when you spot the ALCOM signs! If you're ready to upgrade your animals' ride for fair season and beyond, find a local Frontier Trailers dealer today and get started. We'll see you at the fair!