FRYEBURG, Maine — Maine's largest agricultural fair announced Monday that it will return in person this fall after COVID-19 precautions resulted in it moving online in 2020.
The Fryeburg Fair is set to take place Oct. 3-10 at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds, more than 100 buildings on more than 185 acres.
“The Fair was never 'off' for 2021," Rachel Andrews Damon, a spokesperson for the fair told NEWS CENTER Maine in a statement. "But I think people were worried that it might be."
Andrews Damon said there will be COVID-19 safety regulations in places as necessary, but could not say what specifically.
"We can’t project what those might be at this time since we’re five months out. But it will be all about fairgoer safety and best COVID practices. There may be some limitations and programming changes. Our loyal fairgoers will have to remain flexible," she said.
The fair has been an annual tradition since 1851 and includes harness racing, a 4-H exhibition hall, sheepdog trials, pig scrambles, live entertainment, and amusements.
Fair organizers canceled the 2020 in-person fair for safety reasons, but an online event still included Woodsmen's Field Day, teaching proper chopping techniques and cooking segments such as how to make peanut butter fudge.
The 2019 fair drew about 225,000 people, according to staff.
Last week, the Common Ground Fair in Unity announced it planned to hold an in-person fair as well.
For more information visit www.fryeburgfair.org.