Fryeburg Fair — Local services in Fryeburg

If you go to the Fryeburg fair, my big recommendation for native Mainers and guests is to go to the Sugarhouse and get the Maple Whoopie Pies. We bought 2 and that was a mistake. Get the dozen pack you can’t go wrong. They are awesome and they are way better than the standard Chocolate Whoopie Pies we have everywhere in Maine. Even if you say those are way to rich or sweet, not so the Maple are amazing and just right sweetness! The chocolate I would say yeah you got a point with richness or over sweet. I grew up on Chocolate and I like them fine. Thes Maple have just the right amount of cream texture, sweetness and thickness in relation to the cakes. If your a native you know not all whoopie are the same. As a life long Mainer these Whoopie are a definite 10! The sugar house also has all things Maple treats and awesome maple cheddar cheese. For those wondering about the parking and traffic, I have been coming here for years and used different gates and parking. For what it’s worth we went this year on tuesday(65+ free) and we took rte 302 north all the way to where you turn right for the fair. They usually have 2 lanes going to the fair location and 1 coming out back to 302. I took the left lane in to the fair closest to the center lines and you need to decide if you use left or right lane. In the left you almost always can only go straight or turn left. In the right lane you can go straight and turn right. This isn’t cast in stone but crossing one lane to another will be difficult or almost impossible. My recommendation is take left lane and pick one of the parking lots on that side(usually $10) BEFORE you come to the fair grounds. If you wait, you will have to take first left going to gate 5 BLUE or go past the grounds to the far gate which is usually popular and campers. I have parked all over before including through gates to parking on the fair grounds. My suggestion is use left lane and park at house that have parking on their property on the left side of the street. Why I did this is you park and walk on wide sidewalk until you get to the grounds. We walked until you come to the first gate entrance road to the left which is Gate 5 BLUE. You have segregated walkway away from traffic right to the gate. If you bought your ticket on line, you stay to the left line approaching the gate. The right lane is to go to the box office and get ticket then to the gate after you wait in line. We just walked right through in left lane no problem. I would stop before you get to the gate there is restrooms in the building to the right. They are large and very clean. I tipped the attendant $20 bucks because the restrooms were spotless and smelled very clean. It’s hard work to keep them clean with thousands of people! The fair was pretty crowded lots of people. I’m not sure how many people but I’m guessing 10s of thousands. The fair is big and something for everyone. Just a note, just imagine what those restrooms would be like with tens of thousands of people and no attendant, trust me you wouldn’t want to go in them! When we left fair just walked back out the gate down the street to our parking and out of lot and to the right only toward rt 302. You can only turn right from lots on the left side of the street. We were out in no time and on 302 south. Police and traffic staff have it running pretty smooth. Just another note, if your from out of state or from northern maine and think we can raise hell here. Think again there is local police, county sheriffs and if needed state police in the area. If a call goes out to state police for help trust me the place will be flooded with blue cruisers! The troopers are very good at controlling large crowds. I haven’t seen any trouble here ever since I have been coming here and don’t expect to. Last year a trooper did come in the main gate onto the grounds at dusk that I saw but parked inside...

20+ years of going to the Fryeburg Fair and I decided to leave a review. I am giving 5 stars....I'll say why in a minute...BUT....to the security people I have a suggestion.

Please add more metal detectors to get the people into the fair more quickly. I am sure you got lots of complaints on the really insanely long lines to get scanned and get in. I get why you feel the need to have detectors given lots of things happening in the world...One trick....go to the farthest away back corner gate....less people go in through those gates and it will save you a lot of time if the line is long.

But now the fair!!

Harness Racing....yes....they have it....and I always have a blast Horse and Oxen pulling - check - and VERY popular get your seats early. Many local non-profits have food booths - please support them...the money stays local to the area. TONS of local businesses - tractors, trailers, farm equipment so many options to look at and get special deals on. Entertainment? Oh....tons of options there too...from Banjos to marching bands. Food, food....and more food. A few beer tents...maybe 9 bucks for some local craft brews...but its the fair, that's what the beer costs....lots of happy faces drinking it. The lumberjack activities are very well attended so get there very early.

I spend a decent amount of time looking at the antique farm equipment that they have running out in the front section of the fair. Lots of hit and miss engines, siding or shingle cutting using old leather belts and tractors etc....and a legit blacksmith doing live demos. Really makes you appreciate current technologies when you see how complicated it is to make something as simple as a nail...back in the day!!

People watching is always a great aspect of the fair as well...just remember and there is always plenty to see...

First of many times to come, never had gone before, didn't know what I was missing. If you're bringing the kids the animals are great just keep your distance on anything at about shoulder length don't wanna get kicked. General rule of thumb don't approach the animals unless signs permit it, they're all in an unfamiliar space with 2000% more people than they're used to and some animals get nervous. If you handle the animals ensure the handlers rules are followed, watch out for the big dog dressed as a goat once he/she jumps up and you pet him/her you won't be able to stop with out the goat jumping up again and again.. The bigger animals are for work some I found to be overwhelmingly large, they're not scary but if you've never seen animals of this magnitude you're in for a treat, they'll really make you feel small no matter your size. Food was great the staff was great down to the attendant greeting you as you entered the restroom which for fairgrounds were the cleanest restrooms I have ever set foot in. Definitely love to go again the kids had fun on some of the rides as bands were reasonably priced and we enjoyed all it...