SKOWHEGAN, Maine — The Skowhegan State Fair kicked off this week for its 206th year.
According to organizers, up to 100,000 visitors are expected over the fair’s ten days—coming to check out animals, demolition derbies, harness racing, concerts and more.
“It's really a fun time for everybody, the whole family,” Skowhegan State Fair marketing director Denny Morin said.
People from near and far flocked to the fair Sunday to go on rides, grab some food, and try to win big playing carnival games.
Susan and Don Mendell took their youngest grandson to the fair after they’ve been coming for decades.
“It's part of passing it on. My family used to come to the Skowhegan fair back in my grandfather's day,” Don said. “So here we are again, Skowhegan fair, Skowhegan Maine, you can't beat it.”
The Skowhegan Fair was first held in January 1819, a year before Maine even became a state.
“Which is the oldest continuously running agricultural fair in the nation, we're very proud of that distinction,” Morin said.
The Skowhegan state fair has changed a lot since its inception. Now, there are more days, more people and of course, more rides.
But one thing that's stayed the same over the past 206 years is the fair's focus on agriculture and livestock.
“If we didn't have agriculture and livestock, we wouldn't be a state fair,” Morin said.
Hundreds of animals are on display across several barns and farmers get the chance to showcase their livestock and compete.
Charlotte Choate and Ella Ridley, who are both 13 years old, are showing their sheep and cattle at the fair this week.
Choate has been coming to the fair for a long time. “Since I was a baby,” she said.
And her experience has been good. “I love animals, I think people should show animals, I think it's fun,” Choate said.
For Ridely, showing her animals is a great opportunity to educate people.
“I think it's a good experience that everyone should at least try or at least come to the fair and see the animals, and you can learn a lot and see what they produce and how it works,” Ridley said.
The fair continues through August 17th. The midway is open from 1-10 p.m. every day.
If you’re looking for a deal, admission is $1 for every on Tuesday.
For a full list of events, you can check the fair's website.
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