Jump to content

Cumberland Fair

Coordinates: 43°48′36″N 70°17′24″W / 43.810°N 70.290°W / 43.810; -70.290
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cumberland Fair
DatesFinal week of September
Location(s)Cumberland, Maine, U.S.
Founded1868; 156 years ago (1868)
WebsiteCumberlandFair.com

The Cumberland Fair is an annual farmers' fair held in Cumberland, Maine, United States, at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. It is put on by the Cumberland Farmers' Club and is usually held the last week in September.

Events

[edit]
Horse pulling rider in harnessed cart
Harness racing at the Cumberland Fair

The annual Maine State Pumpkin and Squash Weigh-Off is held at the fair.[1] The winner of the event receives $500. An adult is limited to one entry in the giant squash and pumpkin weigh-off.[1] The 2015 winner of this event was Edwin Pierpont, who harvested a 1,046 pound pumpkin.[2]

History

[edit]

The inaugural Cumberland Fair was held for two days, on October 10 and 11, 1868 in the center of town in the back of what is now Greely Junior High School. The land was provided by Capt. Enos Blanchard. On show were foods, handicrafts, vegetables of all shapes and sizes and also steers, especially in the traditional ox-pull. Horse racing was also featured.

There was no fair in 1919, 1942-44 nor 2020, although the latter year saw the 4H livestock show & auction go on.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Annual Cumberland Fair Pumpkin and Squash Weigh Off". Cumberland County Fair. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  2. ^ Quimby, Beth (28 September 2015). "Giant Pumpkin from Jefferson takes top prize at Cumberland County Fair". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
[edit]

43°48′36″N 70°17′24″W / 43.810°N 70.290°W / 43.810; -70.290