The 169th Northern Maine Agricultural Fair starts next week

Officials are preparing to open the gates for the 169th Northern Maine Agricultural Fair.

The annual event is slated for Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle.

Maine has 25 agricultural fairs, but only two of them are in Aroostook County. Houlton’s fair ended this past weekend.

The Northern Maine Fair debuted in 1851 and draws thousands of residents and visitors. Though harness racing and carnival rides are no longer part of the event, organizers have come up with plenty of options to capture fairgoers’ attention. Fair President Lynwood Winslow is excited about a new 1,500-seat stadium area, which was made possible through community support.

“The community went overboard to help us, and we have a new setup now, with ADA seating and new asphalt, right in front of the old grandstand. It’s going to be a lot neater, safer environment,” he said. “That’s our biggest goal, is to keep our fairgoers safe, but this will also put people a little closer to the action.”

The decades-old grandstand no longer met safety code requirements. The Northern Maine Fair Association took out a $200,000 loan to cover the cost of the aluminum bleachers. Fundraising and donations have covered that cost, Winslow said.

At first, officials thought they’d have to tear the grandstand down, but they want to take another look at it as an historic element.

Related to history, the fair is hosting a retro-themed event on Saturday, July 27 at The Forum.

“We’re going to have a party to kick off the fair — a back to the ’90s party,” Winslow said. “There’ll be food trucks, inflatables and a mechanical bull.”

When the fair starts Wednesday, people will see a larger food court and some new live performances.

Jason Tardy, a juggler and comedian who has performed at the White House, will offer three shows a day during the five-day fair, Winslow said. He’ll also present some juggling workshops for kids.

Li’l Lumberjacks, which teaches kids about forestry, will be back for its third year with some new elements, Winslow said. The attraction won three first-place awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expos in November. As a complement to the forestry exhibits, Axe Women Loggers of Maine will entertain with three daily shows.

Gamers are invited to a “mini Comic-Con,” which will feature cribbage, Pokemon, Dungeons and Dragons and more throughout the five days.

The ever popular Li’l Farmers at the Fair will return, and kids can enjoy free Moose Maine-iah monster truck rides and free tractor train rides.

Truck and tractor pulling will take place Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3. Antique and modified tractor pulling is slated Sunday, Aug. 4.

The demolition derby is on tap at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, and the Rods, Rides and Relics car show will be open at The Forum on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4.

A fair isn’t complete without farm animals, and visitors will be able to see cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, alpacas and more in the 4-H barns. Animal shows will take place in the show ring, and local teens will prepare their cattle for the annual 4-H Baby Beef Auction on Saturday, Aug. 3.

In its new location behind the grandstand, the George Allen Memorial Horse Show Ring will host the 4-H and open horse shows.

The main exhibition building will host cooking contests, vegetable and flower displays, and several talks by University of Maine Cooperative Extension personnel. Local art and handiwork will also be on display, and a Blue Ribbon Home and Craft Show is planned.

Outside, the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District will showcase test plots of some County crops.

Fair directors have worked hard to plan affordable family activities to attract visitors of all ages, Winslow said. With the costly grandstand issue resolved with the new seating, officials are relieved.

“We’ve turned a corner.  We’re going to be able to grow now,” he said. “The fair is 169 years old, and I don’t know too many things that are 169 years old. We just feel it’s worth trying to save and we think we’ll have a great fair for people to see.”

For a complete schedule of fair events and activities, visit the Northern Maine Fair’s website or Facebook page .