CUMMINGTON — The Cummington Fair, a 157-year-old mid-summer tradition, returns Aug. 27-30 with four days of agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, tractor and horse pulls, live entertainment, midway rides and family activities.
The fair opens at 4 p.m. Thursday and runs through Sunday evening at 97 Fairgrounds Road. The fair has added three acres of parking on the hill this year. Parking is not included with admission, including tickets purchased online. Tickets in advance are $12 for adults 16 to 64 ($15 at the gate); $10 for seniors and veterans ($12 at the gate); and $5 for youth 10 to 15 ($7 at the gate). Children under 10 are free.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, a cornhole tournament will benefit the Hillside Agricultural Scholarship, and a truck pull will take place at 6:30 p.m., just a couple of various events planned. The craft barn and exhibit hall closes at 9:30 p.m.
Friday gates open at 4 p.m., featuring an antique engine and tractor show, a children’s bicycle raffle, a sheep obstacle course, music and a demolition derby at 7 p.m.
Saturday will feature an early start at 8 a.m. More demolition derbies, ox-pulls, activities for children, music and rides are on tap. The day begins with Chicken Showmanship, followed by Youth Oxen Showmanship, Stone Boat and Trained Steer competitions at 8:30 a.m. in the Lumberjack Arena and Ox Judging in the Pulling Arena.
The Antique Engines & Tractor Show, craft barn, exhibit hall and agricultural education sheds open at 9 a.m. The day also includes 4-H and youth livestock judging, draft oxen competitions, a youth lawn tractor pull, the ox teamster’s challenge and an oxen and antique tractor parade. The midway and rides open at 11 a.m., while the Kids Fun Corner will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The afternoon and evening will feature the Silver Circus, Conjuring Carol, Bryson Lang, Robert Black and Benjamin Jackson “Hypnosis.” A demolition derby begins at 6 p.m. on the hill, followed by a square dance with Doug Wilkens & Fall String Band from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Pavilion. The Kiwanis ham and bean dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Dining Hall.
Sunday is “Old Fashioned Day,” with gates opening at 9 a.m. The final day features a mini horse pull, the Western Massachusetts Lumberjack Championship, adult livestock judging, draft horse competitions and an antique car and tractor parade.
The midway and rides open at 11 a.m., and the Kids Fun Corner will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment throughout the day includes the Silver Circus, Raptor Project, Conjuring Carol, Bryson Lang and Rosie Porter. The Golden Wedding Contest will begin at 2 p.m. on the track.
The final draft horse pull, featuring horses weighing more than 3,400 pounds, begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Pulling Arena. The craft barn and exhibit hall will be closed at 7 p.m.
