OXFORD – The small red stage may not be new to the Oxford Fairgrounds, but most of the shows taking place on it are.

Set near the amusement rides at the edge of the grounds, it is known this year as the Celebration Barn Theater Stage. Several variety shows, jugglers, physical theater and other family entertainment will debut this year where some of the Oxford County Fair’s standard events will also take place.

“I’m thrilled,” said Amanda Huotari, executive director of the Celebration Barn Theater in Paris. “Nothing makes me happier than bringing theater to the people.”

“This is the first time that the fair is offering family entertainment every night of the fair,” she added.

Huotari said the shows at the stage are similar in style to the shows the Celebration Barn puts on, but trimmed down to 30 minutes. She said this enables fairgoers to see something new, yet also experience the rest of the fair.

Shows at the stage begin on the hour, starting at 4 p.m. today and 1 p.m. tomorrow.

The set of shows began on Wednesday with a performance by Mike Miclon, owner of the Oddfellow Theater in Buckfield. Miclon said he was happy to support the Celebration Barn as well as the fair.

“A lot of performers outprice themselves from events like this,” said Miclon, explaining that as performers become more successful, their prices go up, eventually becoming too expensive for fairs.

Miclon said local performers are supportive of each other, and also love to put on a show.

“Probably everything Mandy and I do is a cooperation between us,” he said. “We’re always kind of pulling each other into the different things that we do.”

On Wednesday, introducing himself as a stand-up juggler, Miclon began his set with a warm-up exercise with the crowd, asking everyone to put their hands up.

“Now please pass your wallets forward,” he instructed.

Miclon continued by creating a “sculpture” for a volunteer from the audience by making a set of lips and eyes for himself out of balloons. Interspersing his act with comedic remarks, he closed with juggling performances featuring a diablo, a yo-yo like object which is thrown and caught on a string; “devil sticks;” and three cigar boxes, held together and rearranged in the air.

“I thought it was good,” said Miclon. “I thought we gained a crowd.”

Wednesday also saw singing and juggling performances from students who had participated at the Young Performers Theater Camp at the Celebration Barn during the summer. On Thursday, storyteller and musician David Sanderson performed at the stage, along with one-man parade Rick Adam and the band Mac McHale and the Old Time Radio Gang.

Tonight, the stage will feature juggler Mike Menes at 4 p.m., musician Heather Pierson at 5 p.m., clown Brent McCoy at 6 and 8 p.m., and Cote’s Bellydancers at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, comedian Michael Lane Trautman will perform at 1 and 2 p.m., juggler Morty Hansen at 3 and 5 p.m., musician Oren Robinson at 4 p.m., and performing artist Lee Faulkner at 7 and 8 p.m.

Huotari hopes the first year of the Celebration Barn Theater Stage won’t be its last.

“I would love to make it a regular thing,” she said.

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