It's That Time Again...132nd Deerfield Fair
“New England’s Oldest ‘Family Fair’®” – the Deerfield Fair – opens September 25 for its 132nd year. Four full days of events, both old and new, take place at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire. “You can’t help having a good time at the Deerfield Fair! This is a good old country fair, a family fair,” explains Alan O’Neal, Deerfield Fair board member. “Just one low price and acres of free parking.” “A little money goes a long way at the Deerfield Fair,” adds Deerfield Fair Association president Sheryl Bolduc. “Two adults with three kids age 12 or under pay just $16 for the whole family, including all exhibits and shows, and parking is free. It’s a great deal for a full day of family fun.” The fair kicks off with the first of several all-breed horse shows and sheep judging at 9:00am on Thursday, September 25. Throughout the day, fairgoers can enjoy everything from a dairy show to the magic of B.J. Hickman, from a woodsmen contest to country music’s Don Campbell Trio, performing at 6:00pm. According to longtime fair director and horse-pulling competitor “Junior” Gardner, “You can go down to the barn, we have pig scramblin’ there,” says Gardner. “You wanna see them little kids get after them pigs, oh my, that’s somthin’ to see!” Many events are repeated every day of the fair. Day two offers cattle pulling, The Flying Wallendas Family Circus, and concludes with the 2008 Miss Deerfield Fair pageant. September 27 features a number of 4-H shows, live animal demonstrations, and various musical performances, including the First Annual Fiddlers Contest. Fiddlers from all over the region will take the stage to see who will win top honors, says fair association president Sheryl Bolduc. “The Fiddlers Contest is a great addition to our fair, a competition that is as fun to watch as it is to compete in!” The Ancient Order of Hibernians pipe and drum band is always a crowd favorite. And the fair ends with a crash and many crunches as the Third Annual Demolition Derby pits specially prepared klunkers against junkers for fun and prize money on September 28. “Also new this year is our First Annual Banjo Contest,” adds Bolduc. “Pickers and strummers get together to give some great musical performances and enjoy a friendly competition. There’ll be lots of hand clapping and foot stomping at this new and exciting event.” A midway offers exciting amusement park rides and games. For those who wait all year just to sample the terrific and varied fair food will find everything from sausage subs to old-fashioned cotton candy to funnel cake. The Deerfield Fair runs September 25 through September 28 and is accessible via Route 101 exit 3, then north on Route 43 to the fairgrounds. More information and directions from specific areas are available at deerfieldfair.com. Not to be too old fashioned but...See you at the fair!
2008 DEERFIELD FAIR TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 25
County fair memories
I used to enjoy the Hopkinton Fair, especially the Demolition Derby. But then I became a news reporter. Covering the Deerfield and Topsfield Fair on deadline were nightmares.
You had to record all the ribbon winners and spell all their names right. It was the only time most of them got their names in the paper except when they died, and if there was anything wrong, they were nasty about it to your face. Try copying 400 names exactly right in one hour.
I took my godson (8) with me to Topsfield to add a child's perspective to my coverage. He got to meet Ted Kennedy and Mitt Romney, who were running against each other for U.S. Senate. Romney kneeled down to eye-level, looked him in the eye, and engaged him, but Jeremy went for Kennedy because he'd seen John Kennedy on television. Kennedy's new wife Reggie kep him focused that day.
The one nice thing was covering the Mrs. Essex County contest. Each contestant had to appear in a cocktail dress, and make a recipe and explain it. There was nothing prurient about it at all, except the woman who lost wore a dress so short that, sitting down, she was embarrassed and had to keep scrooching the dress down toward her knees,
The woman who won was a very interesting, attractive bi-lingual nurse from a heavily Cambodian hospital. She had a great sense of humor and a lot of interesting things to say about her work. She appeared in a plum cocktail dress from Lord and Taylor.
I like that...
Your best pieces are about people and memories. Could you really be a reasonable guy under all that left of center rhetoric. My guess is you are! Even when I despise your opinion I admire your writing.
Scott
Yep, one of the best deals around and so much to do. The way things are going economically it may be the one thing we can afford to do once a year for entertainment.
The food is good (albeit not good for you) and a single dose per year can't hurt you.
Don't know if I will go this year.......but it is worth the trip!