FRYEBURG — Franklin County was well represented at Fryeburg Fair.

Richard Marble of Farmington was kept busy selling Hotties from his food truck on the midway. The shepherd’s pie “hot pocket” style offering was a popular pick.

Susun Terese owner of Minikins, a Farmington store, was seen replenishing a large display of her Polarfleece winter apparel and stuffed animals.

Ross Clair of Chesterville showcased his business, Wood-Mizer Maine.

Several local farms exhibited their livestock.

In the goat barn, Lapse of Reason Farm owned by the Blauvelt family of Farmington, had several ribbons on display. Their Nubian goats also spent time in the outdoor goat play area. Doug Blauvelt, who serves as an assistant to the fair’s goat superintendent, was seen talking with visitors about goats and the various breeds.

Doug Blauvelt, Lapse of Reason Farm in Farmington, is seen talking to visitors at Fryeburg Fair from the goat play area. Blauvelt is an assistant to the fair’s goat superintendent. (Pam Harnden/Franklin Journal)

Other fair officials also hail from this county. Richard Hall of East Dixfield is the superintendent of the horse pulling ring at Fryeburg while his son, Randy Hall, is the beef cattle superintendent.

David Averill of Farmington was seen working with his sheep in that barn.

Beef Shorthorn exhibitors included River Run Farm of Strong, M-T Farm of Jay and Leslie Smith of East Dixfield.

Fryeburg Fair’s Beef Shorthorn show found many Franklin County farms exhibiting animals. Seen during a group class is an entry from Leslie Smith of East Dixfield, third from left. M-T Farm of Jay and River Run Farm of Strong also exhibited. Seen in the back is Randy Hall of East Dixfield, Fryeburg Fair Beef Superintendent, and in the stands are Maureen Clair, Marilyn Turner and Malcolm Turner of M-T Farm. (Pam Harnden/Franklin Journal)

Sandy River Farms and Bagley Bog Farm, both of Farmington, brought a few of their Milking Shorthorns while Silver Shade Farm of New Sharon exhibited Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy cattle.

Smith was seen Saturday with his Brown Swiss dairy herd.

“There aren’t as many Franklin County farms here. The barns used to be filled with them.

“If I was the owner of a sports’ team, I would say this was a building year, with the Swiss especially. There are a lot of g00d Swiss here. There are more professional showmen today,” Smith said.

Teresa Hardy, who with her husband Henry owns Hardy Farm in Farmington, rattled off the awards their Ayrshires won at Fryeburg this year.

“We had Grand and Reserve Grand Champion plus Highly Commended. We won Dairy Herd, Senior Best Three, Produce of Dam and Get of Sire. Our Junior Best Three took second.

“We did well. It wasn’t planned that way. We didn’t think we would do that well,” she said.

One of the farm’s top cows was being shown at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin instead of at Fryeburg. She earned Grand Champion and Best Udder at The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in September and placed second in a class of 13 at the Expo.

Across the barn, the tack area for Shady Lane Farm of New Vineyard was filled with awards their animals had earned during the week.

There was a director’s chair presented to the winner of the Guernsey Futurity plus sheep blankets for Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor. A banner for Premier Breeder 2018 hung in front of the farm sign.

Lane family member Jeff Rowe said, “They’ve been working for years to get Premier Breeder (for the Shorthorns). They took second place in the Milking Shorthorn Futurity and won Junior Champion and Reserve Senior Champion. The Guernsey Futurity winner was also Reserve Senior Champion.

Shady Lane Farm of New Vineyard did very well showing their livestock at Fryeburg Fair last week. Their 2-year old Guernsey cow, seen here at right, won the breed’s Futurity and was named Reserve Grand Champion. They were also named Premier Breeder for their Milking Shorthorns, some of which are also seen at left. Their Katahdin sheep earned Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awards. (Pam Harnden/Franklin Journal)

“We’re very happy. The kids Kaden Lane, Nicholas Rowe and Mason Rowe placed first, second and third respectively in the 4-H Market Lamb show. Kaden had the Grand Champion.”

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net