After a heated discussion over scheduling problems, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry has approved dates and given four-year licenses to 25 agricultural fairs throughout the state, including the Cumberland and Fryeburg fairs.
Agriculture Commissioner Amanda Beal’s ruling, which was released on May 15, is the first time Maine’s agricultural fairs have received licenses under the new regulations that provide four-year tenure.
Despite criticism for announcing plans to open one day before of the licensed start date, it also affirms Fryeburg Fair’s operational dates through 2029.
The Fryeburg Fair‘s intention to open on the Saturday before to its scheduled opening, which would coincide with the last and busiest day of the Cumberland Fair, is the main source of contention.
Organizers of Cumberland stated that such a relocation would undercut earnings and upset long-standing customs by stealing guests and vendors.
The state determined that Fryeburg Fair is still in compliance with licensing standards under Maine law in spite of their objections and more than 200 public submissions advising caution. The commissioner stressed that Fryeburg could not refuse the fair its desired dates because there was no proof that it had broken any existing laws or regulations.
The commissioner, however, recognized the general apprehension and cautioned that future infractions would impact licensing and eligibility for state stipends, urging Fryeburg organizers to reevaluate their intention to operate outside of licensed days.
“If the Commissioner is presented with evidence that a fair is causing economic or organizational harm to another fair, she has the ability to take that into consideration,” according to the decision.
Dave Hastings, president of the Fryeburg Fair, has previously stated that the fair plans to open on Saturday, September 27, 2025, citing the need to draw in vendors.
Since the fair does not have a state license for that date, it will not get reimbursement from the state’s Fair Fund on that day but will still operate.
Officials at the Cumberland Fair are still not happy, claiming the action demonstrates “complete disregard” for coordinated fair scheduling. They caution that performers, dealers, and agricultural exhibitors throughout the state may be impacted by the clash.
Thanks to emergency legislation passed in April, fairs can now secure operating dates for 2026 through 2029 under the new license framework.
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The Windsor Fair, Common Ground Country Fair, Skowhegan State Fair, and other well-known fairs are on the complete list of authorized fairs.
The Department noted Washington County Fair for previous problems, such as a subpar review in 2024 and a failure to meet premium payout standards in 2022, even though all applicants fulfilled the minimum requirements for license.
The fair was nevertheless given dates through 2029 with the instruction to look for departmental guidance in order to enhance performance.
Fair organizers who are unhappy with the verdict have 30 days to file an appeal with the Superior Court.
