UNITY, Maine — Kids, adults, and families flooded to the Common Ground Country Fairgrounds in Unity for opening day Friday.
Fair officials said they were expecting up to 60,000 attendees and 550 vendors at this year's event.
With cardboard sledding, carnivals, and fair food staples like kettle corn and funnel cake, the event shares many similarities with other county fairs across the state. But according to fair director April Boucher, the Common Ground Country Fair provides something that other fairs often don't.
"Our main goal is to really create a community event where we can provide a venue for all this wonderful education and support local agriculture," she said.
From classes that teach the traditional art of turning fiber into thread with spinning wheels to step-by-step guides on fabric repairs, staff say there's something to learn at every corner.
James Fargnoli, the operations technician for Toad and Co. Clothing in Freeport, said he has been coming to the event for the past three years teaching people of all ages basic sewing skills.
"We can open the doors for new people to just watch it happen and teach a very basic, easy set of skills. ... I talk about everything from the ground up, like even how to thread a needle," Fargnoli said after finishing up a sewing demonstration.
Steph Grant is a fiber farmer and fair barn coordinator. She said she's also been volunteering at the fair for the past three years.
Grant showed NEWS CENTER Maine some of the lambs and goats at the barn and shared that her favorite part is the ability to connect with people who share the same enthusiasm about agriculture as she does, especially when it comes to younger kids.
"This is where the seeds are planted for their future, for the future loggers, for the future sheep farmers, for the future flower farmers, rabbit breeders," Grant said.
For Union residents Lincoln Weaver and Levi Swartz, the fair is something they said not only gives them a fun way to spend their day but has taught them things, too.
"It's really cool how if you didn't know how something works, you can kind of see it here being made," Swartz said.
The Common Ground Country Fair continues throughout the weekend, opening at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
If you're interested in attending the fair, you can visit the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners website for tickets or you can purchase them at the front entrance.
