OXFORD — On Saturday, people were mowing lawns, setting up tents and displays, and cleaning and opening booths and buildings at the Oxford Fairgrounds in preparation for the start of the Oxford County Fair on Wednesday.

As summer wanes, few things signal the arrival of autumn in New England like the September and October agricultural fairs. The smell of caramel apples, doughboys and french fries wafting through the cooler fall air combined with the sights and sounds of the midway stir up warm nostalgia in the people who look forward to attending each year.

Located off Route 26 in Oxford, the Oxford Fairgrounds will open its gates to welcome guests from Wednesday through Saturday, with activities and displays opening at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Scales open every day at 7 a.m. Smokey’s Greater Shows, which provides the rides at the fair, opens at noon on Wednesday and Saturday, with pay-per-ride tickets available, and at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday fair-goers can purchase all-you-can-ride bracelets for $15.

There’s new pricing for 2015. On Wednesday, the cost of admission is $1 per person. Thursday, that price goes up to $5, with children 5 and under getting in free. Friday is $8 per person and Saturday is $10 per person, with children 5 and under free on each of those days. Parking is $1 per car on Wednesday and $2 per car Thursday through Saturday.

The fair will feature all of the traditional agricultural exhibits, baking contests, daily harness racing, oxen pulls, various demonstrations, and antique engine and tractor displays in the museum. New this year, the folks from Mad Science will host fire and ice demonstrations and a slime-making booth for children and the young at heart.

A demolition derby will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m., and Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Friday night, the demolition derby will pause for some ATV pulling action at 7 p.m.

Nightly entertainment will take place on the Family Fun Field, featuring TJ’s DJ Service offering karaoke at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and local bands Brazen Cane on Thursday night at 7, and Broken: 51 at 6 p.m., followed by Rockin Roadrunners at 8 p.m. Friday.

Saturday’s entertainment on the field begins at 2 p.m. with a performance by Casey James of “American Idol” fame. Keeping along those same lines, “The Voice”’s Cassadee Pope will take the stage with her country style at 3:30 p.m., before the evening entertainment rocks the fairgrounds beginning at 6 p.m. with a performance from The Resistance. Beyond the Fall is next at 7, and Dead Season will end the night, beginning their performance at 8 p.m.

Each day at the fair will bring something special. Wednesday is Educational Day, hosted by the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District. Thursday is Community Day, during which the community is celebrated with meals and activities. Friday is Woodsmen’s Day, dedicated to commemorating the rich history of those who work in the Maine woods. Exciting competitions are the highlight of this day.

For additional information and a complete schedule, visit http://www.oxfordcountyfair.com/.

mjerkins@sunmediagroup.net

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