The state’s second oldest agricultural fair is back for its 136th year.

The Windsor Fair kicked off the first of its 10-day celebration with what fair secretary Judy Ballard describes as perfect conditions and an energetic atmosphere.

“It’s been fantastic, we couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Ballard. “Everyone who’s attended is super happy we’re back and we’re ready to go.”

Attendees will be able to watch harness racing, demolition derbies and check out the many agriculture stands that the fair is offering over 10 days.

The fair kicks off Aug. 24 and will wrap up on Sept. 2.

Ballard says they’re expecting to draw at least 130,000 spectators over the week and a half celebration. 

At the same time, she says they’ve also seen an increase in what drives the fair: agriculture.

“We’ve had more vendors and exhibitors here at the fair than in the past,” said Ballard.

The spike in agriculture education came as a result as the pandemic, Ballard says. She says it was a time when individuals became food-dependent that made people want to learn more about the agriculture industry.

“They want to see the livestock. They want to see the exhibits, they want to see the crafts,” said Ballard. “This is a big draw here at the fair.”

Ballard says people have been gravitating towards learning the ins and outs of the agriculture industry, focusing on areas like everyday life and job responsibilities.

One of the ways the fair promotes the agriculture industry is through a program known as “Know Your Farmer,” which encourages attendees to know your local farmers and how they raise their livestock for your family.

The decrease in farms across the state is also impacting people learning more about the industry, Ballard says. According to the United States Census on Agriculture, the state had a 7,036 farms in 2022, a decrease of almost 500 farms since 2017 and its lowest number since 1997.

“People want to see that life and help it rebound, and we here at the Windsor Farm want to educate and promote our fairgoers about agriculture because it’s a very important facet here in Maine,” said Ballard.

But the work to highlight the agriculture industry doesn’t stop there, Ballard says. She says the organization is currently looking to build an agricultural building where the fair takes place.

Although they are in the beginning stages of planning and fundraising, Ballard says a building like this will hopefully grow agriculture to what it once was in the state.

“We’re doing what we can to promote agriculture, and we hope this is one step in rebuilding the agriculture industry in Maine,” said Ballard. “Without agriculture, Maine isn’t what it is today. We need agriculture.”