by Peter J. O'Connell, Editorial and Research Associate
Tens of thousands answer “Yes” to this question each year, for the Durham Fair, first held in 1916, has become the most popular agricultural fair in Connecticut and one of the largest such fairs in all of New England. It is also the second largest fair in North America staffed entirely by volunteers—no paid management or employees. And this in a town of only about 8,000 people!
The four-day Fair takes place during the last full weekend in September (this year Thurs., Sept. 27, through Sun., Sept. 30) in an area adjacent to the center of the town of Durham, which is north of New Haven and south of Middletown on Route 17 and also accessible by Route 68 from Interstate 91. Several parking lots are available, and there is a shuttle bus that goes around the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds has both permanent buildings for agricultural and commercial exhibits and space for stages, tents, and other structures that are brought in each year. And, of course, a carnival midway is set up.
Entertainment
The Durham Fair is noted for the quality of entertainment that it has featured over the years. Many of the biggest names in the world of music have appeared. This year folk rocker Melissa Etheridge performs on Main Stage on Fri., Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. Country stars Scotty McCreery and Sam Grow appear there the next day at 5:30 p.m. On Sun., Sept. 30, at 11:30 a.m., the talented USO Show Troupe celebrates Military Appreciation Day at the Fair there with pieces ranging from Today's Top 40 to Broadway, Big Band, and patriotic favorites. A variety of acts also perform through the four days on Center Stage and Green Stage.
For those who find the roar of engines to be music to their ears, the Motorized Events Ring presents Demolition Derbies, Monster Truck Freestyles, and other vehicular attractions.
Exhibits
The Durham Fair has over 20 departments of exhibits (more than 12,000 exhibits in three buildings) by adults and teens, plus others by younger kids.
The departments cover:
• livestock—cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, llamas
• plant science—flowers, fruit, horticulture, vegetables, giant pumpkins, Christmas trees
• personal skills—art, baking, canning, crafts and collections, needlework, photography
• animal pulls—horse pulls, ox pulls, pony pulls
The animal pulls are among the most popular events at the Fair, reflecting as they do a heritage deeply rooted in Durham's agricultural past when animals worked the land. Now these powerful beasts of burden battle it out to haul carts, logs, and machinery well into the night.
And for the first time, this year the achievements of breweries and cideries across the state are celebrated in the CT Craft Beer & Cider Tasting.
Midway and More!
Whether you prefer the slow, steady rhythm of the carousel, the fast flipping of the Zipper, the ups-and-downs of the roller coaster, or some other kind of traditional carnival ride, the Fair's Midway has it for you.
The Fair offers education as well as entertainment and excitement. The Discovery Center is an area of the Fair that offers topical seminars, interactive displays, and demonstrations by experts all-day, every day on foods, farming, home and garden care, and more. The Durham Fair Farm Museum offers a vast collection of antique farm equipment and collectibles that will transport you back to the days of hand-cranked tractors, blacksmiths, and pot-bellied stoves.
And, of course, a variety of Vendors at the Fair offer souvenirs and all the favorite “fare” (food) that folks love at such events.
Admission
A variety of pricing situations exists for tickets to the Fair, but, basically, tickets on Thurs., Sept. 27, are $9; with children 11 and under, active-duty military with ID, and attendees in wheelchairs admitted free. For Fri., Sat., Sun., tickets are $14; with children 11 and under, active-duty military with ID, and attendees in wheelchairs admitted free. Seniors (62 and over) are also admitted free on those three days.
Information
So go to the Durham Fair! You'll even find parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme there.
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