Lancaster Fair Lancaster NH
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Get to know the largest, fun-filled summer event in the Great Woods of New Hampshire. The Lancaster Fair is a traditional country festival famous for its lumberjack competition and truck pulls. Surrounded by dense forests and mountains, the multi-day Lancaster Fair – Lancaster NH event makes for a great time in the north country.
NEW HAMPSHIRE TOURS
ABOUT THE LANCASTER FAIR LANCASTER NH
For over 150 years, the Lancaster Fair has been celebrating agriculture and bringing people together. The grounds are located on 65 acres of the Connecticut River Valley. The fair features a large family-friendly midway, horse and ox pulling, a demolition derby, truck pulling, 4-H exhibitions, musical entertainment, a lumberjack show, and more.
Traditionally, the daily admission price covers all midway rides, concerts, and agricultural events for the date admitted. It’s a great family value. Where else can you see the county’s largest pumpkin, sheep dog trials, and a horse show all in one day?
WHEN IS THE LANCASTER FAIR
Each year the Lancaster Fair is scheduled around the Labor Day weekend. The fair typically runs for five days from Thursday through Monday (Labor Day) in the months of August/September.
HOW TO GET TO LANCASTER NEW HAMPSHIRE
ADDRESS: 516 Main Street | Lancaster, NH 03584
The Lancaster Fairgrounds are located on NH Route 3, one mile north of the junction of Route 2 and Route 3 in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Like many locations in northern New England, there are few public transportation options. A personal vehicle is the most convenient way to get around.
The fairgrounds are located a short distance from the charming town of Lancaster, New Hampshire. If you are able to stay overnight in the area, don’t miss the chance to check out downtown Lancaster, NH.
Hotels near the Lancaster Fairgrounds:
Cabot Inn & Suites - Lancaster NH
Coos Motor Inn - Lancaster NH
Mountain View Grand & Spa - Whitfield NH (luxury resort)
Click this link for information of car rental options and pricing in northern New Hampshire.
LANCASTER FAIR NH ADMISSION & PARKING
Admission tickets can be purchases online (lancasterfair.com) or at an entry gate. General admission (2026) is $25.00 (36” and taller). Children under 36” are free when attending with a paying adult. There are discounts available for veterans and seniors on certain days/times.
Grandstand shows (including concerts) and midway rides are included in the general admission fee. Parking is free. Large unpaved parking lots surround the fairgrounds. Upon entry, all visitors must pass through a security checkpoint (backpacks inspected). ATMs are onsite.
EVENTS – AGRICULTURAL
Rooted in farming and tied to the harvest, the fair has always been (and continues to be) a place for local farmers to show off livestock, learn about new equipment, and to share techniques.
The main pulling ring location, livestock barns, and horse show rings are deliberately located opposite of the midway and Main Grandstand (at the quieter end of the grounds). In between contests and trials, the livestock barns are open for viewing.
Here are a few agricultural event highlights over the five day fair:
Horse and Pony Pulling: 1850, 2050, 2250, 3100, 3300 lb. and under
Oxen Pulling: 1600, 2100, 2400, 2800, & 3200 lb. and under
Steer and Oxen Showings & Obstacle Courses
Horse Shows: Class A Horse Show and Draft Horse Show
Sheep Dog Trials
Working Cattle Show with Carts
4-H: Showings and trials for horse, swine, goat, dairy, rabbit, sheep. poultry
Pig Scramble
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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EVENTS – OTHER
In addition to the agricultural contests, the fair schedule contains lots of other thrilling and fun events. Many of these happenings offer large cash prizes and attract big crowds. Look for these events off of the midway in the Main Grandstand/Track area.
Here are a few of the highlights of the five day fair:
Lumberjack Competition
Demolition Derby
Tractor Pulls: farm, lawn & garden, mini-tractors
Big Rig Truck Pulls – by weight category
Annual Cruise Night – car show
Rolling Thunder Show N Shine – motorcycle show
Corn Hole Competition
EXHIBITIONS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Lancaster fairgrounds are sprinkled with exhibitions spaces including the Arts & Crafts Hall, the Alexander Exhibition Hall, the 4-H Hall, and numerous commercial halls. Featured entertainment is centered around the Main Grandstand, and smaller stages scattered around the fairgrounds.
Here are a few exhibition and entertainment highlights of the five day fair:
4-H Dairy Bar and Milking Time
Farmer-For-A-Day: kids collect eggs, milk cows, tend a garden, and feed animals
Exhibition Halls: 4-H, County, Commercial vendors show produce, goods, and services
Washburn Museum: farming, forest, and map collection artifacts
Blacksmith Shop: demonstrations of traditional crafts
Craft Demonstrations: daily schedule of workshops in the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Hall
Musicians: Fiddlers, Musical Acts, Talent Shows, Concerts,
Cookie and Pie Contest and Auction
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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LANCASTER FAIR NH MIDWAY
The central midway at the Lancaster Fair is packed with thrill rides, classic carnival games, and delicious fair foods. There are lots high-energy, adrenaline-pumping rides as well as gentler options for smaller children. Food trucks and trailers sell sweet and savory foods in between carnival games packed with colorful prizes.
The midway generally operates from late morning until between 9-11pm at night.
Enjoy the lemonade, caramel apples, poutine, blueberry crisp, fudge, and… Laura and Randy
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