Local fairs may be held in 2021

Barrel racing is a popular event on the first day of Farmington Fair. A decision on whether the fair will be held this year is expected in the next four to six weeks. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser File photo

REGION — While decisions aren’t final yet, there is hope that local fairs will be held this year.

Farmington fair was canceled, like most fairs across the state last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Common Ground Fair and Fryeburg Fair held virtual events.

“It’s looking better all the time, much better than a month ago,” Randall Hall, president of the Franklin County Agricultural Society which hosts Farmington Fair and beef superintendent at Fryeburg Fair, said in a phone interview last week. “The governor is opening things up more.”

“Great news!! With updated information from the CDC (Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and the State of Maine, it looks like we will be back for the 2021 fair!,” reads a post on the Oxford Fair website. “Look for updated information in the next few weeks regarding entertainment and activities. We are looking forward to seeing all of you this year, we missed you!”

“We are hopeful that we will be able to gather in person on September 24, 25 & 26 for the 2021 Common Ground Country Fair and have begun preparations to host an on-site event in Unity,” MOFGA’s fair website stated last week. “We also plan to continue many of the online offerings for exhibitors, speakers and fairgoers in the coming year, whether or not we gather in person.

“To support our exhibitors and volunteers, the decision regarding if we will have an on-site, hybrid on-site/online, or online-only Fair will be made in mid May 2021,” the site continued. “We will follow the state, federal and CDC mandates and guidelines. We are developing contingency plans to cover details of what systems would need to be in place to support a healthy and safe Fair.”