Union Fair
Union Fair
WHERE
Union Fairgrounds, Union, ME
WHEN
Held annually, third weekend in August.
Union Fair - Offering the best “Real Maine Agricultural Fair” in the state
Would you like to attend a “Real Maine Agricultural Fair” this summer? If so, hop in your car and head to the Union Fair, located about twenty-five minutes from Rockland. Every August, this event takes place over the course of one week, and provides educational activities and entertainment for people of all ages. Whether you want to admire the animals, feast on wild blueberries, explore the midway, or sit back and enjoy the live entertainment, it is all at your fingertips at this event.
The traditional farm parade is one of the most loved and anticipated events at this fair, filled with a variety of floats and vehicles. Locals and tourists alike enjoy sights like the antique tractor, the local marching band, a child leading a cow, and a children’s parade that features decorated bicycles and children in costumes.
The fair allows 4-H to showcase their talents. There are beef shows, dairy shows, dairy goat shows, horse shows, rabbit shows, sheep shows, working steer shows, and even small domestic animal shows.
The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage is open daily during the fair days. The Matthews Museum features 18th century home and farm implements. A special section of the museum honors Dr. Augustin Thompson, who invented Moxie in 1885. At its initial introduction this was a patented medicine called Moxie Nerve Food. After a few formula changes Moxie is now Maine’s official soft drink. It is still thought to calm the nerves.
The Union Fair is also home to the State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival. You can visit the Wild Blueberry Corner throughout the week to learn about Maine’s official state berry. You can watch a video about cultivating and harvesting the blueberry and obtain free informational brochures, recipes, and cooking tips. Every Friday on fair week people have the chance to win food samples, balloons, posters, and shirts. Be sure to stop by the Wild Blueberry Hut to sample a variety of blueberry treats like muffins, pastries, and the legendary Maine staple, the wild blueberry pie.