OXFORD — Business at the Oxford Fair was slow Tuesday evening, as evidenced by a half-empty parking lot and rows of bored vendors.

While harness racing, a demolition derby and steer and oxen pulling are set for Wednesday evening, Tuesday offered fewer activities. The Eric Blake Band played rowdy, guitar-heavy country music and children rode the carnival rides from Smokey’s Greater Shows.

Roger Jackson, an Oxford selectman and owner of Jackson Sugar House, sat at a table in his large, wood farm stand. He joked he hadn’t made enough money to pay the help, and said most of his sales were 25-cent apples.

Jackson said he expected business and fair attendance to pick up later in the week. He said he’s trying a new refillable glass container for maple syrup with fair-goers. A quart would initially cost $18.50, but when people returned the container, the next one would be around $14.

He compared it to the refillable half-gallon jugs in which some brewers sell beer. He said he heard about another sugarhouse in Blue Hill that had some success with them.

He said he wanted to try it first at the fair, which has mostly local patrons who would be able to return the bottles.

Wednesday through Saturday will feature harness racing, as well as dozens of activities from horse pulling to live music to animal shows. Admission is $5 on Wednesday and $10 for the rest of the week. Seniors older than 60 can get $5 tickets on Thursday.

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