Tag Archives: Fryeburg fair

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Fryeburg Fair, part 4 – we could have come home with a pig.

October 8, 2025 Rivergirl 20 Comments

Last fair post, I promise.

As we were winding down our day in Fryeburg, my husband took a test drive.

On a potato planter.

He spent a good amount of time in the antique tool shed, and as usual entered into a half hour conversation.

Topic?

Identification of that weird contraption in the foreground. They could only get as far as a tying machine, for what is still a mystery.

A 1940’s television? That’s seriously early technology.

Next stop was the sugar house where they were actively boiling down sap for maple syrup.

My husband used to do this on the farm where he grew up so naturally that was another half hour conversation with the sugarer.

Syrup is a lot of work.

We stopped in the 4 H building and enjoyed the displays by local kids.

Raising livestock for market is a popular project in country schools and the students get to name their animals.

I admit I snorted over Magic Mike.

Our last stop was the swine barn.

And there were lots of baby piggies.

They’re so sweet.

Did you know pigs are very intelligent, loving and make good pets?

I tried talking my husband into one…

But he wasn’t the least bit interested.

And because no trip to the fair is complete without prize winning squash…

Here’s a 1,210 pound pumpkin.

On our way to the exit gate we ran across a few women walking their calves. Bovine kids get bored and restless just like humans when they’re cooped up all day.

💕

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Fryeburg Fair, part three – he’s talking cows.

October 7, 2025 Rivergirl 14 Comments

When I see cows in a field as we’re driving in the country? I’m compelled to announce it.

“Cow!”

But when I’m walking around the Fryeburg fair surrounded by bodacious bovines?

I just sigh with adoration.

My husband was raised on a dairy farm and the man knows cows. Which is why I think it’s cruel he won’t let me have one.. or ten. Of course I don’t want to muck out stalls or water them when it’s 10 below, which could be a deciding factor in his refusal.

So I get my cow fix when we go to fairs. I love the Belted Galloways which we always call Oreo cows.

The one in the middle is clearly a double stuff.

And look, there’s a vanilla cream.

While I was adoring?

The husband was talking.

And talking.

About cows.

And after 20 minutes, about politics. Which is odd because I don’t think cows vote.

Did you know a cow isn’t technically a cow until she has a calf?

Now you do.

Can I get an awwww?

Scottish Highlands are so fuzzy I just want to curl up with a few and stroke them for hours.

This little beauty was only three days old! Momma delivered at the fair.

There’s the husband, talking cows again.

Did you know your veal parmigiana is almost always male?

Now you do.

And because no fair visit is complete without a beauty pageant.

Cow!

🐄

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Fryeburg Fair, part two – llamas and chickens and steer. Oh my.

October 6, 2025 Rivergirl 18 Comments

It’s no secret my favorite part of a fair is the animals.

The llama barn only had 3 occupants this year.

And this one was too cranky to pet.

But there were lots of chickens.

And lots of blue ribbons.

The silkies look like they’re covered in fur not feathers.

There were some very impressive birds.

Though this one looked a little pissed at missing first place.

Next up, the big boys.

And a very sweet little guy with his mom.

Look at that face!

💕

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Let’s go to the fair! Part one – big *ss horses.

October 5, 2025 Rivergirl 24 Comments

Heading out to the 175th Fryeburg Fair, a selfie.

This is the oldest (175 years) and the biggest fair in Maine. How big, you ask?

This big.

And after a late start due to my husband playing cribbage at breakfast with friends, we arrived two hours later than planned.

On the way to parking the car? RV heaven.

Or hell as far as I’m concerned. Densely packed on flat dirt as far as the eye can see, I can’t imagine spending a week like that, but people come from all over New England and look forward to it every year.

To each their own.

Many people go to the fair for the rides and carnival atmosphere … we’re not those people.

We started with the race horses.

Beautiful creatures who enjoy an occasional scratch.

This poor fellow was trying to take a nap.

While this one looked ready to munch a mum.

Food trucks and vendors were everywhere but my husband hates eating lunch standing up and ducked into the one little restaurant they have on site instead.

Big mistake.

It’s a bare bones place with a limited menu. They didn’t even have ice for our drinks. Warm Pepsi anyone?

Husband had a watery bowl of stew with a biscuit you could use for a boat anchor while I had a dry turkey salad roll the waitress mistakenly charged me $1 for instead of the $11 it cost. A dollar was really all it was worth, but the cashier caught the error and we moved on.

To the draft horses.

Who were finishing the pulling show the husband usually likes to watch.

These horses are gentle giants and I hate to see them straining …

So I wasn’t disappointed we’d missed most of it.

This beauty stood almost 19 hands.

And the husband spent more than 19 minutes talking to this owner while I wandered around.

Out back, these fellows were getting a bath.

Percherons, Belgians, and Haflingers. They never fail to impress.

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A serious case of wagon envy.

October 21, 2024 Rivergirl 14 Comments

The antique transportation museum is always a favorite at the Fryeburg Fair.

They have some truly amazing, well restored vehicles.

Beautiful, but I can’t imagine traveling across country in one.

Even back then they knew discussing politics and religion was a sure way to ruin a journey.

Sharing your bottle on the other hand, is a sure way to make instant friends.

My husband always has wagon envy when walking around this building.

Or maybe he just wanted a beer.

I loved this little Swedish ice sleigh. Wife on the seat in front, husband in back.

A hearse, complete with laying out table.

I hustled my spouse right past this sign before he could read it.

One antique carriage in our shed is more than enough.

Outside, we found this one… which is very similar to the one he bought, though in a bit better shape.

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Cow!!

October 20, 2024 Rivergirl 30 Comments

Being that I’m the annoying person on road trips who always announces cow! when one is passed, you know I thoroughly enjoyed the bovine section of the fair.

Cows of every size, shape and color were on display and I was a happy camper.

This is Fred.

We petted Fred and Fred didn’t mind.

This prize winner was sectioned off with multiple warnings not to touch. And as hard as that was… his coat was delightful!…even my has to touch everything husband obeyed.

There were stocky legged cows…

( I feel you buddy, I really do)

And Oreo cows…

And tufted ears cows.

Isn’t that the sweetest!

I did feel sorry for this particular cow.

Poor thing had the worst name ever.

This next lady also had a do not touch sign.

And with those horns it was easy to comply.

Want to feel small?

Spend some time in the ox barn.

Room with a view.

Cow!

❤️

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Taking in a few shows.

October 19, 2024 Rivergirl 16 Comments

What’s a fair without a livestock show?

Boring, that’s what.

So we found ourselves in the bleachers for the dairy cow beauty pageant.

My husband was raised on a dairy farm and provided a helpful running commentary.

There were multiple categories and weight classes and we enjoyed a steady parade of bodacious bovines.

A winner having her portrait taken.

After that show, my husband headed for the pulling ring.

This is my least favorite show because I hate to see the animals straining. Thankfully our timing was bad and it was over shortly after we arrived.

😉

A boy and his oxen.

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Llamas and chickens and pigs, oh my.

October 18, 2024 Rivergirl 16 Comments

Is it me… or do llamas look snarky?

I mean, look at that face.

Pure attitude.

😊

The alpaca? Not so much.

But this guy on the left?

You know he’s telling his owner where to stick it.

Chickens are hard to photograph at the fair. Too many cage bars and if you try to get closer? You get pecked.

Or in this case, fluffy butted.

Pigs on the other hand, rarely give a damn.

My late father had a pet pig as a child. He and my mother collected weird little pig oddities when I was young so I’ve always had a soft spot for piggies.