The Union Fair, Maine’s Wild Blueberry Festival, has announced its 2023 Maine Wild Blueberry queen candidates.

The 2023 Maine Wild Blueberry Queen contestants are Morgan Boynton for Readfield, Jaycie Elaine Brown from Union, Lainie Ann Hooper from Union, Kylie Marie Blake from Waldoboro, Aaliyah D’aeh Wright from Bath, Milena Reichert from Bowdoinham, and Maria Wendy-Azucena Protheroe from South Thomaston, according to a news release from Rick Butler, publicity head.

The Maine Wild Blueberry Queen contest first started in 1961 with Monalee Smith being the first Maine Wild Blueberry Queen. Submitted photo

These young ladies, with their knowledge of the Maine Wild Blueberry Industry, will compete for the title and the $1,750 cash prize on Friday, July 28, at the 2023 Union Fair.

The coronation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on the Camden National Bank Stage on the fairgrounds.

The Maine Wild Blueberry Queen contest first started in 1961 with Monalee Smith being the first Maine Wild Blueberry Queen.

The fair will be held from Wednesday through Sunday, July 26-30. Fair gates will open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. each day. The midway will open at 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday.

2023 General Admission

Full price admission: $20 for all patrons eligible to ride carnival rides, regardless of age. Patrons paying general admission will be given an All Access wristband. Children less than 26 inches tall enter for free, and are not eligible for rides. All Access Admission always includes free parking, unlimited rides, entrance to the Exhibition Hall, Moxie and Matthews Museums, admission to all entertainment, livestock, pulling events, and more.

2023 Special Admission

Early-Bird Admission Discount Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m.-noon. $10. Does not include rides. Visit front gate office for upgrade. Must present numbered ticket.

Senior Citizen Day: $10 Thursday, July 27, for those 62 and older. Does not include rides. Visit ticket office for upgrade. Must present numbered ticket.

Veterans Day Day: Free. Thursday, July 27. Free entry, with a valid military issue ID. Does not include rides.

The fair is now accepting debit and credit cards at ticket booths. ATM machines located inside the fairgrounds.

To view the fair schedule, visit unionfair.org.

For more formation, email Butler at publicity@unionfair.org.

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