Preparations underway at fairgrounds (schedule included)

Workers set up the Ferris Wheel at the Farmington Fairgrounds Friday morning.

FARMINGTON - Across the midway, tents are going up beneath colorful signs, vegetables and knit goods are pouring into the exhibition hall and carnival rides are unfolding. The fair must be coming to town.

The 172nd annual Farmington Fair will kick off Sunday, Sept. 16 and run through Saturday, Sept. 24. A complete schedule can be found below, as well as the fair's website, located here. You may also download a .pdf copy of the schedule here.

Organizer Glenda Barker was in the exhibition hall with a small army of volunteers, registering entries and setting up new displays. The fair's commercial enterprises were maxed out, Barker said; both the long Starbird Building and space down toward the grandstand would be occupied this year.

"Every little corner I can fill, I fill," she said with a laugh.

Barker said that organizers are hoping for the good weather to continue through next week; Oxford County's fair had enjoyed a particularly good run, she noted. A few rainy days reduced last year's turnout, and the grounds were vandalized over the course of the summer, which cut further into the fair's budget. Some buildings, such as the pulling ring, were wood and could be repainted, Barker said, but other, vinyl-sided structures had to be cleaned with hydro-blasting equipment.

Still, visitors should notice nothing but fresh paint and new decorations this year, Barker said.

All of the iconic events are on the 2012 schedule: horse, oxen and tractor pulls, Saturday's Poultry Show and two demolition derby events, sponsored by an auto parts store, two car dealers and a local chiropractor. Pari-mutuel racing will run through the week with a 2 p.m. post time. Agriculture Education Day will bring school children from across the county and beyond Monday, while Tuesday and Thursday offer reduced ticket prices for senior citizens.

The visiting historical society will be from Phillips this year, displaying artifacts and photographs in the museum near the exhibition hall.

Quilts and other "fancy works" are being registered in the Exhibition Hall.

Fair Schedule

Note: Museums and Exhibition Hall open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. Lane Family Barnyard Sunday to Saturday in Livestock Area. No vehicles on the Midway after 10 a.m.

SUNDAY (Sept. 16)
9:00 a.m.  - Team Penning - S.R.
10:00 a.m. - Steer & Oxen 1700, 2100 and under - P.R.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
11:00 a.m. - 4-H Working Steer Show – W.A.
12:00 - 2:00p.m. - Barry Wood - P
1:00p.m. - Oxen 2500, 2900, 3300, and under, Kids Class - P.R.
1:00 p.m. - Midway open
1 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths - M.
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing – R.G.
3 – 5 p.m. - Sammi Angel – P
6 – 7 p.m. - Becky Haskell - P
6:30 p.m. - Oxen Canadian Percentage Pull 3ft Pull 2000 lbs and over - P.R.
6:30 p.m. - Miss Farmington Fair Pageant -S. Sponsored by Ron’s Market
(Maple Syrup demonstrations daily, check sap house for schedule)

MONDAY (Sept. 17) - Agriculture Education Day
9:00 a.m. - 4-H Horse Show - S.R.
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths - M.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Chase, “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
10:00 a.m. - Oxen 3700, 4100, and under – P.R.
12 - 2 p.m. - The Crosbys - P
1:00 p.m. - Oxen Sweepstakes – P.R.
2:00 p.m. - Midway open- Ride Specials 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. $15.00
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing – R.G.
2:00 p.m. - 2900 and under 6ft elimination – P.R.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.  - Sammi Angel – P.
3:30 p.m. - Oxen 3300 and under 6 ft elimination -P.R.
4:00 p.m. - 4-H Dairy - W.A.
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. - A Greater Purpose - P.
6:30 p.m. - Oxen 3700 and under and over elimination - P.R.
7:00 p.m. - Demolition Derby, RG Sponsored by NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, Hight Chevrolet, Farmington Ford, Health Quest Chiropractic.

TUESDAY (Sept. 18) - Senior Citizens Day (62 and older $2)
8:30 a.m. - Kids Scooting- P.R.
9:00 a.m. - Farmer's Steer & Ox Scooting -P.R.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Mountain Blacksmiths - M.
10 a.m - 5 p.m - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
10:30 a.m. - Exhibition of Best Oxen & Steer Teams – S.R.
10:30 a.m. - Exhibition of Registered Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Shorthorn - W.A
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Debbie Meyers – P.
12:00 p.m. - Farmer's Steer & Ox Pull – P.R.
12:30 p.m. - Best and Best Matched Oxen and Steers. Beef Oxen and Steers. - S. R.
1:00 p.m. - Baking Competition - E.
2:00 p.m. - Midway Open
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - The Crosbys' - P.
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing - R.G.
4 - 6 p.m. - Barry Wood - P
6:30 p.m. - Firemen’s Muster - R.G.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Lou Pelletier Bonnevie - P.
7 - 9 p.m. - Pro - Wrestling - P.R.

WEDNESDAY (Sept. 19) - Ride Special
9:00 a.m. - Horse Twitching - P.R.
10:00 a.m. - Horse Scooting - P.R.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths - M.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
11:00 a.m. - Farmer's Draft Horse Pull – P.R.
12 - 2 p.m. - Potpourri - P.
1:00 p.m. - Franklin County Farm Bureau Blueberry Pie Baking Contest - E.
1:00 p.m. - Horse Pull 2lb or Rock – P.R.
1:00 p.m. - Midway open – Ride Special 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. $20.00
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing – R.G.
2:00 p.m. - Horse Pull 2900 & under – P.R.
2:30 p.m. - 4-H Swine Show followed by Market Swine Show – S.B.
2 - 4 p.m. - Dan Grady ’s Marionettes - M.
2 – 4 p.m. - Joe Howard Balloons and Whatever Guy – Strolling
2 - 4 p.m. - Professor Paddywack the "one man band" - Strolling
3:00 p.m. - Horse Pull 3000 & under – P.R.
3 – 5 p.m. - Barry Wood – P.
4:00 p.m. - 4-H Sheep Show followed by Market Lamb Show – S.B.
5:00 p.m. - Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull - P. R.
6:30 p.m. - Horse Pull 3000 – 12 ft & under elimination – P.R.
6 - 7 p.m. - Lori Pelletier Bonnevie - P.
7:00 p.m. - 4-H Lead Line Show - W.A.
7 - 8 p.m. - Franklin County Fiddlers - G.S.

THURSDAY, Sept. 20 (Seniors 62 & older $2)
9:00 a.m. - Sheep Show - S.B.
9:00 a.m. - Farm Arthritis Workshop (sponsored by the Franklin County Farm Bureau and Maine AgrAbility Project) - W.A.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths - M.
10:30 a.m. - Horse Pull 3100 & under – P.R.
12 - 2 p.m. - “Country” Tim Palmer - P.
1:00 p.m. - Horse Pull 3200 and under -P.R.
1:00 p.m. - Baking -E.
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing - R.G.
2 - 4 p.m. - Conjuring Carol – Balloons & Magic -Strolling
2:30 p.m. - Special Horse Pull 3400 lbs.
3:00 p.m. - Midway open
3 - 5 p.m. - The Crosbys - P
4:00 p.m. - 4-H Baby Beef Show followed by 4-H Beef Heifer show Market Steer Show - W.A.
6 - 7 p.m. - Paul Bright - P.
6:30 p.m. - Horse Pull 3100 & under, 12 ft. elimination 2 hitch - P.R.
6:30 p.m. - Truck & Tractor Pull - R.G.

FRIDAY (Sept. 21)
10:00 a.m. - Exhibition of Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Devon, Chianina, Shorthorn, Simmental, Belted Galloway- W.A.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” - M.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths
10:30 a.m. - Horse Pull 3300 & under – P.R.
12 – 2 p.m. - Arizonia & the R/C Rich Band - P.
1:00 p.m. - Horses Pull 3400 & under - P. R.
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing – R.G.
3:00 p.m. - Midway open
3:00 p.m. - Horse Pull Sweepstakes Class P.R.
3:00 p.m. - 4-H Dairy Goat Show – W.A.
3 - 5 p.m. - Barry Wood – P.
6 - 7 p.m. - Off the Hill Band – P.
6:30 p.m. - 4-H Market Lamb, Steer & Hog Show & Sale - S.B.
6:30 p.m. - Truck/Tractor Pull - R.G.
6:30 p.m. - Horse Pull 3300 Ibs - under/over 12 feet elimination – P.R.

SATURDAY (Sept. 22)
9:00 a.m. - Heart of Maine Dairy Goat Show
9:00 a.m. - Poultry Show - Youth
10:00 a.m. - Midway open
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Western Maine Blacksmiths - M.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Mike Chase “Alderun Wood Creations” -M.
10:00 a.m. - Draft Horse Show - S.R.
11:00 a.m. - Lawn Mower and Garden Tractor Pull – P.R.
1 - 3 p.m. - Native Oak -P.
2:00 p.m. - Pari-Mutuel Racing - R.G.
2 - 4 p.m. - Professor Paddywack the one man band - Strolling
2 - 4 p.m. - Jerry Howard - Ballons and Whatever Guy - Strolling
5 - 6 p.m. - Moose Creek Cloggers - P.R.
7:00 p.m. - Mt. Blue Jazz Band - P.R.
7:00 p.m. Demolition Derby- R.G. Sponsored by NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, Hight Chevrolet, Farmington Ford & Health Quest Chiropractic.

LOCATION KEY
E - Exhibit Hall
P. - Park
P.R. - Pulling Ring
R.G. - Race Grandstand
S.B. - Sheep/Hog Barn
S.R. - Show Ring
S. - Stage
W.A. - Worthley Arena
M. - Museum

The Farmington Fair opens for business on Sunday, Sept. 16.