Thousands headed to the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity on Friday, the opening day of the fair known for educational offerings that range from beekeeping to woodcarving to serving bean-hole beans.

The fair, which runs through Sunday, is expected to draw 60,000 people, said April Boucher, fair director.

“What set the Common Ground Country Fair apart is we have over 500 educational events,” she said. “We have over 60 different areas ranging from agriculture to energy and shelter all the way up to our children’s activities.”

But it’s not all education. There are hundreds of food offerings, from blueberry crisp to vegan eggrolls and much more. There are plenty of farm animals too, including horses, goats, rabbits and donkeys.

The fair is run by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, which was founded in 1971 and is the largest state organic organization in the country.

On Friday, organic dairy farmer Annie Watson delivered the keynote address to a large group who sat on hay bales scattered in front of the small stage.

She’s the first woman and first organic dairy farmer to serve as president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association.

“In spite of the immense stress and worry, the financial concern and physical demands of this job, we all have hope in common,” she said. “In spite of waking up every day, 365 days a year, and ensuring our cows are milked and cared for, we remain hopeful that there are better days ahead.”

Boucher said the fair offers classes to help people find new hobbies or learn about sustainability practices. Saturday’s schedule includes tips on outdoor mushroom cultivation, a pottery class, advice on mindfulness and breathing, and an electric bike forum.

“We have delicious local organic food, we have educational events if you’re looking to get into something, start a new hobby, maybe you’d like to learn to be a little bit more sustainable,” she said.

Classes continue on Sunday, ranging from seed cleaning to chicken first aid to tips on how to eat an acorn.

And if you’re looking to avoid big crowds, Boucher said Sunday is the best bet.

“Sunday is our lowest attendance day if you’re looking for something a little calmer,” she said, noting that free water is available throughout the fairgrounds — just bring your own refillable water bottle.

The fair runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.