Rick Simoneau, center, teaches children about apples and apple pressing in 2023 during Agriculture Day at the Farmington Fair. The special day is for teachers, students and chaperones to explore livestock barns, participate in hands-on activities and view agricultural exhibits. The 184th fair will be held Sept. 14-20 at the Farmington Fairgrounds. (Donna Perry/Staff Writer) Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal

FARMINGTON — The 184th annual Farmington Fair, a Franklin County tradition since 1840, will return to the Farmington Fairgrounds on High Street from Sunday, Sept. 14, through Saturday, Sept. 20. Widely known as “Maine’s Harvest Fair,” it blends agricultural heritage with family-friendly entertainment, drawing visitors from across western Maine.

The fairgrounds will be bustling daily with livestock shows, 4-H exhibits and produce competitions highlighting the region’s farmers. Exhibition halls will feature locally made crafts, baked goods and harvest displays. Harness racing — a long-running staple of the fair — will take place on the track, while ox and horse pulling contests will showcase the strength and skill of animal teams.

Entertainment extends beyond agriculture. The week kicks off Sunday with a children’s pie-eating contest and the annual Miss Farmington Fair pageant at the gazebo. Monday brings the crowd-favorite “Drag Your Neighbor” event, a mix of competition and humor.

Midweek, Wednesday’s Youth Auction provides a platform for young farmers to sell livestock raised throughout the year. Friday will feature truck and tractor pulls, while Saturday night closes the fair with the demolition derby, a high-energy crowd favorite.

Music and daily performances at the gazebo, carnival rides, food vendors and contests such as hay bale decorating round out the schedule. Admission fees and a full daily schedule are available at farmingtonfair.org.