FARMINGTON — Midday overcast skies and humid temperatures couldn’t stop the enthusiasm of children of all ages Wednesday at Farmington Fair.

After an early release from schools, the midway filled quickly when students and families started arriving shortly after noon with rides offering a second ride special this week.

The large mechanical rides hadn’t quite opened when young Parker White, 3, of Norridgewock let his imagination take him for a fun ride on the pulling ring’s Kubota tractor.

“I’m driving my Kubota to the John Deere store,” White told his grandmother Linda Fairbanks of Weld.

A super slide high in the air attracted little Porter Graham, 22 months, and his dad, Jessie, for a quick trip down on a burlap bag.

The children’s rides have done well this week, especially on the Monday armband special, said Delbert Rogers of the Wilton area and a worker for Smokey’s Greater Shows. He was tending a canoe ride for little youngsters. Giving the small boats a little push or just a shake heightens the kids’ enjoyment as small jet streams helped the canoes maneuver the small water course, he said.

Brandon Gould, 4, of Farmington seemed to think the ride was pretty special.

“He’s overwhelmed and happy,” said parents Laurie Bridges and Joe Degone. He’s been to the fair but this is his first experience enjoying what it has to offer, Bridges added.

Christopher Layman and son, Levi, 1, of Solon waited for his wife, Tanya, and daughters Olivia, 6, and Muriel, 3, to take a traditional fair ride on the merry-go-round. Although the children are home-schooled, children’s day at the fair became a family outing, he said.

A bright yellow bumblebee ride attracted Madison Paul and Brianna Burhoe, both 3, as they waited for the attendant to start the ride.

The larger rides and concessions also began to fill after older students waited in line to have a plastic ride-special band placed around their wrist.
Wednesday’s unlimited ride special was $20 per person from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

“It took forever,” said Mt. Blue Middle School student Casey Given of Farmington.

Despite the noise and excitement, the first day of fair for young Blaire Hess, 20 months, of Jay took its toll. While parents Matthew Hess and Mikayla Greenwood waited at a concession stand, the sandman came giving Hess a quick nap in her stroller.

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Brianna Burhoe and Madison Paul enjoy a ride on the bumblebees at Farmington Fair on Wednesday.

Parker White enjoys a tractor at Farmington Fair on Wednesday.

Christopher Layman and son Levi wait for wife, Tanya, and daughters Olivia and Muriel to get off the merry-go-round Wednesday at Farmington Fair.

Delbert Rogers helps Brandon Gould’s canoe move along the youngster’s ride Wednesday at Farmington Fair.

Even the sandman came to Farmington Fair on Wednesday as Blaire Hess of Jay takes a nap while father, Matthew Hess, waits at a concession stand.

Mt. Blue Middle School student Casey Given of Farmington is one of many to get a ride-special band Wednesday at Farmington Fair.

The rides filled quickly at Farmington Fair after an early release day from school Wednesday.