FARMINGTON — Pausing to fill out a Sudoku puzzle during a morning lull at Farmington Fair on Wednesday, Bud Gilmore, owner of Smokey’s Greater Shows, and his workers were preparing for the biggest ride day of the fair. Regional School Unit 9 students and families were expected to arrive shortly after an early dismissal from school.

Cloudy morning skies held off the anticipated 80-degree temperatures Wednesday for the second ride special of the week held from 1 to 9 p.m.

“It’s been pretty good all summer everywhere because of the good weather,” he said of the rides he brings to about a dozen fairs and festivals throughout Maine. The 33 rides for all ages and six food concessions at Farmington will grow to nearly 50 rides and 16 concessions at Fryeburg Fair, set to start Oct. 3.

Despite the economy and the cost of rides running more than $2 and $3 each, it all depends on the weather, he added. During the economic struggles some people are staying closer to home rather than taking expensive vacations so they still come to the fairs and spend, he said.

“While crowds have been decent this week, some still just walk around. If they don’t have the money, they don’t spend,” he said. Gilmore also feels the fair is improving each year but changing focus from rides to agriculture.

Fairgoers are encouraged to buy a sheet of tickets with prices set at 40 tickets for $25 and 20 tickets for $14, each price includes a $1 fuel surcharge to cover rides that take from four to six tickets each. One ticket costs 75 cents with a 25 cent fuel surcharge and are offered to provide any extra tickets needed after the sets of tickets dwindle. The two ride specials offer unlimited rides for $15 on Monday and an extended time period on Wednesday for $20.

The fuel surcharge began when fuel prices went up, he said. The extra helps run the five generators needed for the rides.

“We never had any money in Maine. We were poor when it wasn’t fashionable to be poor,” he said of his early years in the Freeman/Strong area.

After the Depression, his father, Ronald, known as “Smokey,” began working at the fairs and eventually started his own hot dog stand. From there he gradually began buying different concessions, and eventually acquired 40 rides.

Gilmore worked along with his father except for time away at college and in the Navy. Smokey’s Greater Shows traveled all of New England in past years but now is limited to Maine.

“I do it to see the smiles on the little children’s faces. It’s hard work but it’s good to see everyone having a good time. If I told everyone I was in it for the profit, I’d have to consider myself a failure,” he said, chuckling about his 50 to 60 years experience.

Gilmore employs about 70 here and that number rises to about 100 at Fryeburg Fair, he said. Many are locals hired for the week because they don’t want to travel, although Gilmore provides housing for his workers. About 35 Mexican workers return in late spring to work throughout the summer, sending most of their pay back to their families, he said. They are hard workers and smart, he said.

His work includes a good screening of applicants. With a smaller Maine population, someone always knows the applicant and who shouldn’t be hired, he said.

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