FARMINGTON — Cleaning, painting and repairs needed to open the 170th Farmington Fair on Sept. 19 were well under way Wednesday. The race track was graded and an extra camera installed on the third turn, and church members repaired their booth to serve the 800 pounds of turkey they’ve already cooked and frozen.
Fair officers and trustees have also made a couple changes for this year’s event, which runs Sept. 19-25, Neal Yeaton, secretary of the Franklin County Agricultural Association, said.
For the first time in many years, admission prices to the fair have gone up, he said. The cost to enjoy the animals, rides and exhibits was raised $1, across the board, bringing adult admission from $5 to $6, he said. Children under age 8 are free, but ages 8 to 11 will pay $2 and ages 12 and up, $6. Parking rates also rose $1 to $3.
A second change involves seniors, ages 62 and older, who have previously enjoyed a free seniors day on Tuesdays. This year, there is another seniors day on Thursday, and admission is $2 those days, he said.
“It seems like it usually rains on the Tuesday of fair and many seniors would ask when’s the next seniors day,” he said. Adding an additional special day for them seemed logical, he added.
Children will enjoy their usual two-day ride specials. On Monday, children can go on all the Smokey’s Rides from 5 to 10 p.m. for $15. On Wednesday, the rate is $20 for all rides from 1 to 9 p.m., he said.
Local entertainers, mostly from Franklin County and Livermore, are scheduled throughout the week in addition to a performance by Debbie Myers.
Demolition derbies on Monday and Saturday night will feature cars and minivans, along with small trucks this year, he said.
Animals, including those pulling and showing, and horse team penning remain a top attraction. Professional wrestling is also scheduled throughout the week. This year, for the first time, the fair schedule is posted online at www.farmingtonfairmaine.com
Seven days of racing will be enhanced with the addition of another camera at the third turn, fair electrician Kelly Osgood said Wednesday.
The camera will not only help judges but provide a better view for those betting on the races from sites throughout New England, he said.
The track received some grading work Wednesday as fairground halls were cleaned and some painted.
At the New Sharon Methodist Church booth, members were adding structural supports after the building “moved” this past winter from the weight of snow pushed against it from plows on High Street, said Vernie Heald who oversees the booth operation.
Last month, members cooked and froze 800 pounds of turkey for hot turkey sandwiches they will sell during the fair. They also made 26 gallons of pie filling in one day and have 48 pies are ready for the fair.
The group has at least 50 years experience in running a booth during the fair.
“We’ve been here a day or two,” Heald said. “It’s not a one-person job but there’s never been a harsh word spoken as members worked together during all those years.”
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