FARMINGTON — A crowd turned out to enjoy the start of the 170th annual Farmington Fair on Sunday.

Numbers through the gates Sunday were about the same as opening day last year, Neal Yeaton, secretary of the Franklin County Agricultural Society said Monday.

A day filled with horse racing, 4-H steer showing, an ox and lawn mower pull was topped off with the Miss Farmington Fair pageant.

Jessica Thompson of Farmington was crowned Miss Farmington Fair while Alexis Lloyd of Jay was crowned Junior Miss and Shianne Bryant of Avon earned the title of Little Miss Farmington Fair, he said.

The contest involving a written essay, interview and talent portion packed the grandstand, said Robert Underwood, supervisor of entertainment for the fair. The 10 contestants, in three age groups, also have to have some involvement with the fair. That could include showing animals or working in a church fair booth.

The essays focusing on “Kids Today” were positive and well thought out including a winning essay that described the confusion of split families with kids being divided between different parents’ homes, he said.

The essay went on to remind the audience that today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders, he added.

Winners in the essay contest were Madisyn Smith of Farmington, Alexis Lloyd of Jay and Jennifer Hinds, also of Farmington.

The talent portion improves every year, he said. Underwood’s daughter, Lisa Underwood Bird of Gorham, a former Miss Teen Maine, leads the pageant and is great with the kids, he said.

Juliet Luchini of New Sharon was named Miss Congeniality and Jennifer Hinds of Farmington earned the title of Miss Hospitality.

While midway rides were quiet Sunday in anticipation of ride specials offered on Monday and Wednesday, fair-goers streamed through the exhibition hall and the Starbird Building.

Don DeRoche of Farmington had a taxidermy exhibit of wildlife with a variety of 24 animals borrowed from local friends, he said. Deer, bear and other species including stuffed fish lined the wall of the exhibit on the second floor of the Exhibition Hall. 

“A good crowd came through Sunday,” he said.

With warm temperatures Sunday, a longtime fair booth, Magno’s Ice Cream, did well said Gina Dexter of Wilton, who inherited the booth from her grandfather, Ray Magno. 

“This is my 30th year,” she said of her annual sale of blocks of chocolate covered harlequin ice cream rolled in nuts.

A Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary raffle for a 42-inch television or a granite bench drew a good response from those going through the Starbird building, said volunteers on Monday.

Chair caning done by Georgia Tolman of New Sharon drew many “oohs and ahs” as people stopped by her booth in the Starbird Building telling her they didn’t know anyone around here caned anymore. It was busy yesterday, Tolman said.

After 15 years of watching which entertainers people enjoy, Underwood said he has a good lineup of Maine talent for this year’s fair.

“There’s a lot of planning and a lot of thought needed,” he said. He brings a variety of local acts to the small gazebo park located in the midst of the pulling ring, games and food vendors.

Debbie Myers will perform Tuesday at 2 p.m. during the first of two Seniors Days this year.

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