PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 18, 2023
Maine fairs were started by farmers who were pretty darn proud of their animals and wanted to show them off to the world. So really, they were the first stars. That’s not to say all the extra trappings that fairs have adopted over the years aren’t thrilling and fun and delicious, from the carnival rides and pop concerts to demolition derbies, corn dogs and deep-fried Twinkies. But this year when you venture off to one of Maine’s fall fairs, you might want to pay extra attention to the animals and all they can do, from giving milk or plowing fields to herding sheep or pulling thousands of pounds of weight.