FRYEBURG, Maine — The 164th annual Fryeburg Fair, put on by the West Oxford Agricultural Society, is underway this week in western Maine. Dozens of thrill rides, hundreds of RVs and thousands of animals are crowded onto 185 acres at the state’s largest agricultural event. Deep fried food of almost any sort — especially fried dough — can be had, along with many stick-bourne delicacies.
Exhibitors showing their wares range from tractor purveyors to cowboy hat dealers to mop salesmen. Games of skill and chance offer fairgoers the chance to take home plush, stuffed items, including snakes, tigers, monkeys, Minions and unrealistic $100 bills.
On Tuesday, fair officials said average paid attendance for the eight-day affair is 142,000. That does not take into account the numerous carnival workers, food-sellers and animal owners at the fair every day. Sunday’s official paid attendance was 23,393. The fair’s best, single-day attendance day to date was about 46,000 back in 2000.
The Fryeburg Fair continues through Sunday.
