Maine's agriculture fairs aren't just fall season events. The fun, educational and spectator friendly fairs begin in July, with 14 of the state's 25 licensed fairs taking place before September. Many fairs offer free admission to children, have on-site parking for camping trailers and motorhomes, and some provide a tent camping area.
Organized in 1818, the Skowhegan State Fair is America's oldest consecutively running agricultural fair. See a western style team cow penning competition, the decathlon style Ag Olympics, and the winners from more than 6,000 exhibit entries for everything from squash doughnuts to handwoven scarves at the 193rd edition from August 11 to 20.
The Windsor Fair takes place August 28 to Labor Day and kicks off with the fair Queen Pageant, a demolition derby, the Giant Pumpkin and Squash Contest weigh-in, and a draft horse and draft pony show.
The Blue Hill Fair runs September 1 to 5 with a blueberry pie eating contest, lumberjack demonstrations, traditional 4-H animal showings, the Northeast U.S. Sheep Dog Trials, the ladies skillet toss contest, live music and fireworks.
For more information about Maine's summer events, go to www.visitmaine.com
For more information about top events in Maine take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Maine.