Organizing all those entries, judging, and managing the crowds is a monumental task. There are contests geared specifically to youth like the 4-H livestock, while craft categories and others such as the The Parent/Child Cookie Celebration Contest are popular multigenerational competitions. The most well-known competition at the fair may be the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, yet an array of competitions ranging from farm photography to the hot dog eating contest attract thousands of participants annually hoping to earn a ribbon. You'll hear about the crypto island paradise that was never meant to be, how one country made Bitcoin legal tender and the children who have practically gone cuckoo for crypto.Evangeline Adelman is helping 22 members of the 4-H Essex County Kids Club get their goats ready to show at the fair. They do a great job of making the complex subject understandable and fascinating. P.S.- Need something to listen to on the drive out to the fairgrounds this weekend? The Endless Thread podcast just capped off its three-part mini-series on the wild world of cryptocurrency. And tractor wheelies? Yes, apparently that, too. The lineup includes the largest spectator woodsmen’s competition on the continent, as well as a big parade (next weekend) with everything from animals to antique cars. Not only is it the biggest fair in Maine, it's second only to the Big E in New England. Set in the picturesque shadow of the White Mountains just over the border in New Hampshire, the Fryeburg Fair is quietly massive. It has pumpkins that break national records, legendary New England accents and so, so many animals. Billed as New England's "oldest family fair," the four-day event packs a punch. As someone who grew up just down the road, the Deerfield Fair was an unofficial holiday during my childhood (local school students even have Friday off Thursday, too, if your parents called in a "dentist appointment"). I'll admit I'm more than a bit biased here. One other helpful first: tickets can now be bought online. This is also the first year the Topsfield Fair will have a liquor license, allowing organizers to set up a beer garden. Nearly twice as old as The Big E, the Topsfield Fair stakes its name as America's oldest country fair, and it's packed with events, competitions, rides and - yes, obviously - food. 10Ī bit closer to Boston, the Topsfield Fair is just getting started this weekend. Not interested in the food? Don't miss the Avenue of States, the Big E's immersive showcase of all six New England states. ![]() Apparently, it's also a popular year for pickles. MassLive has a good rundown of what's actually worth eating - and wait to avoid - here. There's even deep-fried butter, for better or worse (definitely worse). It's probably the closest thing we have to rival those midwestern country fairs. While it may be formally known as the Eastern States Exhibition, the Big E is known for it's stunning array of over-the-top food. It's your last weekend to attend this 105-year-old standby. In fact, this weekend only, the region's biggest and arguably best fairs are all overlapping - from Massachusetts to New Hampshire to Maine. New Englanders have no shortage of options. ![]() But the view from atop the ferris wheel or the taste of that hot apple crisp you've been waiting for all year always seem to make it worth it. And there's always a little bit of chaos. Small host towns suddenly discover what it's like to have traffic. Fairgrounds that sit barren for most of the year are getting filled up by hundreds of thousands of guests seeking a dose of nostalgia and a serving - or two - of fried food. It's officially fair season in New England. ![]() ![]() If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Įditor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's weekend newsletter, The Weekender. People took flight on an amusement ride at the Big E in West Springfield on September 23, 2021.
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