Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg ME USA
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Come celebrate Maine’s farming tradition at the state’s largest agricultural fair. Each autumn, the Fryeburg Fair is held in Fryeburg ME USA. Also known as “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic,” the fair features pulling contests, horse racing, and a Woodsmen’s Field Day. Randy and I try to attend every year. In this post we highlight some of our favorite Fryeburg Fair activities.
MAINE COAST TOURS
ABOUT THE FRYEBURG FAIR MAINE
Founded in 1851, the Fryeburg Fair was originally known as the West Oxford Agricultural Society. The gathering began as a way for area farmers in Maine and New Hampshire to show off their animals, harvest, and crafts.
Growing over the years, the fair is now housed in over 100 buildings on 200 acres. Some 300,000 people visit each year. Here are some Fryeburg Fair key attractions and events:
Livestock Displays – Expect to see over 3,000 animals including draft and race horses, oxen, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, llama, sheep, and sheep dogs.
Animal Contests – Wander livestock barns between 4-H showings, harness racing, horse shows, and pulling events (ponies, horses, oxen, cattle).
Draft Horse Wagons High Energy Events – Enjoy Woodsmen’s Field Day (timber sports), the Fireman’s Muster, Grand Parade, tractor pulling, and lawn mower racing as well as culinary and craft contests (flower shows, pie eating, wreathmaking).
Entertainment – Have fun on the Midway (carnival rides and games), at nightly grandstand shows, exhibitions halls (arts, crafts, foods), merchant displays, and an antique farm museum.
WHEN IS THE FRYEBURG FAIR
The Fryeburg Fair runs during the first full week of October. It is traditionally held for eight days (running from Sunday to Sunday).
2026 Dates: Sunday, October 4 through Sunday, October 11
HOW TO GET TO FRYEBURG ME USA
In Oxford County, near the New Hampshire border, the Fryeburg Fairgrounds are located on U.S. Route 302 in Fryeburg, Maine. Address: 1154 Main Street, Fryeburg ME, USA
TRIP ESSENTIALS
For almost every travel destination, I find myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket, Frogg Toggs Hat, Merrell Hiking Boots, and Crocs Strappy Sandals (wear to dinner or the pool).
Other items I rely on include my Huk Sunglasses and Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle (no spills in the backpack).
But by far, my number one can’t-do-without essential is my Sony RX100 Compact Camera. It fits perfectly into a pocket. Or, mounted on a Mini-Tripod it slips into my Travelon Sling Bag.
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FRYEBURG FAIR TICKETS
Buy your tickets to the Fryeburg Fair at any entry gate. Or, online at fryeburgfair.org (add a $2 processing fee to each online ticket).
2026 Pricing - $15.00 general admission (children under 12 free). All night shows included in the price of admission.
Tuesday “Senior” Day – 65 years and older get in free
Midway Amusement Rides – Buy individual rides or an Unlimited Ride wristband. Purchase at individual ticket boxes or online (fryeburgfair.org).
Parking - $5 general parking or $15 premium parking
Parking Lot
FRYEBURG FAIR FAQ
Hours
The Fryeburg Fairgrounds are open from 7am until 10pm daily. Exhibition Halls and the Farm Museum open at 9am. The Midway is open from 10am until 10pm.
Rentals
Wheelchairs, scooters, strollers, and wagons can be rented at the fairgrounds. Go to the “blue gate” and “orange gate” to reserve these items (on a first-come first-serve basis).
Pets
No dogs, or other pets, allowed.
Security
No guns or knives allowed. Expect to go through a security checkpoint with a metal detector.
MAINE TOURS & ACTIVITIES
FRYEBURG FAIR HOTELS
With 100 buildings spread over 200 acres there is a lot to see at the Fryeburg Fair. Since many of the pulling contests, shows, and activities are inside, you can enjoy the fair no matter what the weather.
The hotels closest to the fair are in the town of Fryeburg ME. Expect to find small inns and B&Bs in this area. To find larger resort-style hotels, look across the border in North Conway, NH. Consider on of these well-reviewed hotels:
The White Gables Inn – (Fryeburg) 1820 New England colonial. Cooked-to-order breakfast.
The Old Saco Inn – (Fryeburg) Bistro & pub, lazy river, and golf driving range.
Fox Ridge Resort – (North Conway) Indoor/outdoor pools, mini golf, free breakfast buffet.
Grand Hotel – (North Conway) Spa, indoor/outdoor pools, movie room, bar & restaurant.
FRYEBURG FAIR MAINE MAP
FRYEBURG FAIR SCHEDULE
During the day, the fair schedule is packed with agricultural contests, livestock activities and harness racing. In the evening there are concerts and family-friendly shows in the grandstand area. Find a complete daily program and a map at fryeburgfair.org.
In this section we organize some don’t-miss events into four categories: agricultural and 4-H events; high energy events; exhibitions; and entertainment/food/midway.
Agricultural Events & 4-H
Horse and Pony Pulling: The Draft Horse and Pony Show at the Fryeburg Fair is the largest in Maine. Pulling contests from single cart to the eight horse hitch are held almost every day. In addition, there are halter shows, fitting, braiding, and showmanship contests. Participants come from all across the US and Canada. See Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and Shires.
Steer and Ox Pulling: Steer and oxen pulling are highlights of the fair. Teamsters display over 100 pairs of steer and oxen demonstrating pulling skills to win competitions for best pair, best matched, best working, and best pulling pairs.
4-H Events: To further its mission of promoting, supporting, and education Maine and New Hampshire youth in the field of agricultural, 4-H keeps a strong presence at the Fryeburg Fair. To display its animal and non-livestock projects, 4-H has several buildings and livestock show areas. Look for:
Dairy, steer, horse, poultry, rabbit, goat, and pig showings, contests, and demonstrations
Contests to judge the best produce, sewing, fiber, painting, cooking, and life skills
A large open horse show
Harness Racing: Harness racing at the Fryeburg Fair is included in the general admission price. Races are held Tuesday through Sunday daily with a 1:30 post time (noon on Sunday). Wagers to win, place, or show can be made at the betting windows underneath the grandstand.
Other Agricultural Events: Outside of the traditional pulling and livestock showing contests, look for fun agricultural events like the calf and pig scrambles, livestock auctions, milking demonstrations, sheep dog trials, and chicken raffles. The livestock barns are also open for viewing.
PACKING ESSENTIALS
We rely on a combination of bags: Our Level-8 28” and Level-8 20” spinners are fun and stylish. Our Delsey Helium 28” hardshell is a workhorse. Our Tomtoc Backpack is great for short trips.
Randy doesn’t use them, but I swear by segregating items into Compression Packing Cubes and Wet Bags.
For security, we place an Apple Air Tag in each bag, and keep a supply of RFID Blocking Sleeves on hand.
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High Energy Events
Away from the livestock and pulling barns, there are many other types of fun events that attract crowds at the Fryeburg Fair. Many of these events are held around Race Track Park or in the field next to Blue Gate #5.
Here are a few of the types of events offered:
Woodsmen’s Day (lumberjack competition)
Fireman’s Muster
Tractor Pulling
Mechanical Pulls
Skillet, Anvil, and Keg Throwing
Lawn Mower Racing
Grand Parade
Exhibitions
Contests, showings, and demonstrations are held throughout the fairgrounds. Check the daily schedule to see what’s happening in the Agricultural Discovery Center, Agricultural Exhibition Center, Craft Center, Fiber Center, Farm Museum, History Hall, Garden Center, and Natural Resource Center. Also, look for many commercial exhibits displaying Christmas tree, campers, farm equipment, specialty foods, and other items.
On the fair schedule look for these perennial favorites:
Flower Show
Wreathmaking Demos
Pie Eating Contests
Cake Decorating
Baking Contests (Whoopie Pies, Cookies, and Blueberry products)
Entertainment, Food, & Midway
Entertainment: There is nightly grandstand entertainment. Often, this takes the form of a pop/rock, hip hop, or country band or other high, energy family-friendly act.
Food: The Fryeburg Fair offers a huge selection of comfort and regional food favorites:
General Fairgrounds & Midway: Look for fried dough, French fries, deep-fried cheese curds, jumbo donuts, sausage grinders, and more.
Food Court: Many non-profit groups serve meals with sit-down dining in this area (i.e.; a turkey dinner or BBQ with fixings)
Specialty Food Pavillion: Seek out vendors selling local Maine and New Hampshire products (artisan cheeses, honey, maple products, chocolates, and jams)
Midway – Enjoy a large, vibrant carnival atmosphere including thrill rides that spin and drop, kiddie rides, game booths that offer stuffed animal prizes, tons of diverse food trucks, and clothing vendors. Buy individual ride tickets or an all-inclusive wrist band to enjoy the rides.
Enjoy the view from the top of the Ferris Wheel, Laura and Randy
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