BANGOR, Maine — A Maine tradition dating back to 1849 kicked off in Bangor this weekend.
The Bangor State Fair, one of the oldest fairs in the country, has returned to Bass Park and the Cross Insurance Center, showcasing agriculture and livestock as well as plenty of entertainment.
Rides, games, food, and more bring thousands of people from near and far to the fair each year.
"It's great, I’m excited," Lilly McBrearty, who attended the fair Sunday, said.
McBrearty's friend, Isabella Uliano, said it's a tradition for them to attend every year.
"So far it’s been pretty good. I've liked all the rides, have gotten scared on a few of them, but they've been really fun. Actually I feel like it's better than it was last year," Uliano said.
Organizers are expecting a total of 20,000 to 25,000 people to attend this year.
In the fair's 175th year, it features more days and events for people of all ages.
"We wanted to expand. We wanted to add a lot more for families to do, a variety of entertainment and attractions for them to take part in," Chris McGrail, fair organizer and Cross Insurance Center General Manager, said.
Highlights of this season include harness racing, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, performances, and a "food truck alley."
"It's a lot better this year," attendee Kelvin Truong said. "There’s a lot more rides. It's more fun."
This year, the Cross Insurance Center was transformed into a farm.
Visitors can pet some of the hundreds of animals featured, check out a show, or learn something new about agriculture and livestock.
"Figure out where your food's coming from, or how these animals live, just to get rid of some of the misconceptions that are out there," livestock superintendent Jesse Caron said.
Caron also hopes the event can inspire a new generation of farmers.
"The number seems to be smaller and smaller of youth involvement in agriculture, which is a travesty," Caron said.
One youth who's taken an interest in livestock is six-year-old Sophia from Brewer who showed off her one-year-old sheep.
"Her name is Clover," Sophia said.
Her favorite thing to do with animals at the fair is to "train them and show them to people," she said.
Returning fair visitors and first-timers alike enjoyed all it has to offer.
"We're excited to keep the tradition alive with the Bangor State Fair. We're excited for the future of what we can do with this event, and hopefully, many, many, many more years to come," McGrail said.
The fair continues this Thursday to Saturday from 1 to 11 p.m. each day.