Getting to (and Around) the Fair
Bicycling to the Fair
Driving Directions
Shuttle Service
Parking
Car Pool
Train Info
Riding the Bus
Inside the Fairgrounds
Lost People
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Please note. Common Ground traffic and parking volunteers, the Waldo County Deputies and MOFGA's neighbors move fairgoers swiftly and safely in and out of parking lots all three days. The least hectic days to arrive are Friday and Sunday, and the best times are before 10 a.m. and after 1:30 p.m.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association has parking for fairgoers in both the Rose (North) and Pine (South) parking lots. Parking in the Rose lot may be limited. Both the Rose and Pine lots have spaces reserved for elders and handicapped citizens. MOFGA provides shuttle service to the fairgrounds from the Pine lot. Our priority is to keep traffic moving smoothly. If traffic backs up, Waldo County deputies will direct traffic into paid lots operated by our neighbors. This should keep any time waiting in lines short and tolerable. We appreciate your cooperation.
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Pets
Pets are not allowed in the parking lots or on the fairgrounds. Animal control officers will impound animals left in vehicles!Bicycling
Getting to the Fair with the Greatest of Ease
Pedal to the Fair
by Jeff Miller, Bicycle Coalition of MaineWhat better way to celebrate rural Maine and practice sustainable living than to pedal to the Common Ground Country Fair on your bicycle? Once again, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) is offering its popular and FREE Valet Bicycle Parking just inside the North Rose Gate at the Fair! Not only will cyclists get the best parking available, they'll also get $1 off admission to the Fair!
Please contact the BCM at 623-4511 or BCM@BikeMaine.org or see www.BikeMaine.org/valet.htm for a free Pedal to the Fair Map, complete with satellite parking locations so that you can "Park and Pedal." The BCM-produced map highlights suggested on-road and off-road routes.
Click here to access a GIF view of the BCM "Pedal To The Fair" Map
The mountain bike trip is great for anyone looking for a scenic route with less traffic. Cyclists can park at Unity College, ride on back roads and bump along on an old dirt road that is passable only on a mountain bike. The route includes some good hills and likely a puddle or two, but it's a beautiful way to arrive at the Fair. This route will be posted to ensure that cyclists don't get lost in the woods.
Several road routes lead to the Fair, and most roads into Unity have paved shoulders! Bicyclists coming from the south can ride all the way from Augusta on paved shoulders (except for a mile or so through Albion) by taking Routes 3, 202/9 and then 139 (see the map for details).
Many folks choose to "Park and Pedal" by driving to the Unity vicinity, then biking the last 4 to 10 miles to the Fair. This allows people to get a little exercise and pass by traffic, if there is any.
The BCM will have a booth with information about its education and advocacy work to improve bicycling safety and access. It will also have free helmet decorating for kids of all ages, as well as a display of cool and diverse bicycles to test ride!
For more information about the BCM, or to get a free copy of Maine Cyclist, call 207-623-4511 or e-mail BCM@BikeMaine.org.
Driving Directions To The Common Ground Country Fair
Road Map To The Fairgrounds With Bike Routes
Pleas from our Parking TeamParking your vehicle nose in takes 30 seconds; backing in takes a couple of minutes. Insignificant? No. This 300% difference is huge when 2,000 vehicles per hour (33 per minute) are entering! Please pull straight into your parking spot!Vendor Parking: Vendors get one pass. All support staff in separate vehicles will be parked in general parking, including paid parking. (Maybe you can carpool!) If you put all your passes on your dash before leaving for the Fair, you'll save time and confusion for the parking staff. |
ALL VOLUNTEERS should park their car in the South Parking Lot on their volunteer day. Volunteers may only enter the Fair through the Pine (South) Gate, by reporting to the Volunteer Tent.
Link to Map of the Fairgrounds From Augusta - Take Route 3 East out of Augusta to Route 202. Turn left on 202 East and drive through China to Albion. On the north side of Albion, turn right onto Route 137, and follow it to the town of Knox. Turn left on Route 220 North and drive through Thorndike. After Thorndike, drive about a half mile and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to SOUTH lots and PINE gate with access to the fairgrounds via tractor shuttle.
From Bangor - Take Interstate 95 South to exit 174. Take Route 69 South to the intersection with Route 202. Turn right on Route 202 West and follow 202 to Unity. 202 will merge with Route 220 and then 220 will branch off to the left. Proceed south on Route 220 and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to NORTH lots and ROSE gate, includes senior/handicapped parking lot.
From Belfast - Take Route 137 North out of Belfast to Knox Corner. Turn right on Route 220 North and drive through Thorndike. After Thorndike, drive about a half mile and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to SOUTH lots and PINE gate with access to the fairgrounds via tractor shuttle.
From Fairfield - Take Route 139 East across the bridge in Fairfield, through Benton and all the way to Unity Village, (15 miles on Rte 139 to village). Turn left at the blinking light in Unity and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to NORTH lots and ROSE gate, includes senior/handicapped parking lot.
From Waterville - Cross over the Kennebec River on the JFK Memorial Bridge and follow Route 137 all the way to the town of Knox. Turn left on Route 220 North and drive through Thorndike. After Thorndike, drive about a half mile and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to SOUTH lots and PINE gate with access to the fairgrounds via tractor shuttle.
From Points North - take Interstate 95 South to Bangor, and follow the directions from Bangor.
From Points South - take Interstate 95 North to Waterville (exit 127). Turn right onto Kennedy Memorial Drive. Follow the road down the hill and cross over the Kennebec River onto Route 137. Follow Route 137 through China, Albion and all the way to the town of Knox. Turn left on Route 220 North and drive through Thorndike. After Thorndike, drive about a half mile and follow the signs to the Fair; leads to SOUTH lots and PINE gate with access to the fairgrounds via tractor shuttle.
Carpool to the Fair
If you need a ride to the Common Ground Country Fair, or if you have some extra space in your vehicle and would be willing to bring one or more passengers with you, please visit this website:
http://www.carpoolworld.com/ride.html?event=Common+Ground+Country+Fair
Train
***NO TRAIN SERVICE IN 2005***
Ride the Bus from Belfast or Brooks
Save gas, time and be dropped off at the Rose Gate! $1.00 off entry, receive a Fairbook & "plan your day"!
Friday
Leaves public lot at: 8am and 10am
Leaves Fair: 4pm and 6pm
Saturday
Leaves public lot at: 8am, 9am, and 10am
Leaves Fair: 4pm, 5pm, & 6pm
Sunday
Leaves public lot at: 8am, 9am and 10am
Leaves Fair: 3pm, 4pm, & 5pm
For information and reservations call Mary Bates @ 568-4142
Inside the Fairgrounds
Find these essentials on the Map of the Fairgrounds
KEY: Waterdrop = Water
Outhouse = Porta-potties
Faucet = Handwashing Station
The Main Building features: Bathrooms/ATM/Phones
Shuttle Our tractor shuttle makes regular runs between the Pine Gate and the Pine (South) Parking Lot
Information Booth: Get specific information about Fair vendors, exhibitors, building locations, presentations, contests-anything related to the Fair-at the information booth, located right outside the Exhibition Hall. You may also find answers to your questions by lookin gat the Fairgrounds map, the Schedule of Events or the Participant list in this Fairbook.
All Water Potable (Use waterdrop symbol) All water on the fairgrounds is potable. Look for the Water bubblers and waterdrop symbol at various locations to fill your water bottle.
Need Cash: An ATM Machine is located at the door to the Fair office (at the back of the exhibition hall).
Public Telephone: Phones are located at the door to the Fair office (at the back of the exhibition hall).
First Aid: A first aid station is located near the Farm House. If you need assistance, contact any MOFGA staff person (check map now).
Recycling (Symbol) Recycling barrels are available all around the fairgrounds. All compostables - paper, food, etc.-go in the barrels. All recyclables -- metal, glass, plastic, etc. -- go in the bag at each station! All disposable diapers can be tossed in a special container in the bathrooms and in the Children's area. Help the "Zero Garbage Project" and pre-sort all your wastes! Thanks from the Recycling Team!
Help us Make Common Ground a Clean Air Event The Common Ground Country Fair encourages fairgoers to refrain from smoking while at the Fair. We want this to be a "Clean Air Event." Smoking is strictly prohibited in all buildings, barns, tents, restrooms, (including porta-potties), the amphitheater, the Food Area, the Children's Area, the wagon and shuttle rides, Thank you for your cooperation!
Lost People
With more than 20,000 people roaming the fairgrounds daily, fairgoers may get separated from their families or groups. Please establish a meeting time and place just in case someone from your group gets lost. If children or adults get lost, they should notify the nearest Fair Volunteer, Fair Staff or Safety Team member immediately. Lost Children area taken to the Children's Area. To ensure the safety of the lost children, the Fair will not announce their names on the Public Address system. Parents or chaparones should look for lost children in the Children's Area first. For all able bodied fairgoers the Fair also provides a Lost Person's Tent (aka the Meeting Place) outside the Children's area toward the Railroad Car. In the tent we will have, a message board, pencils and paper. Leave a message suggest a meeting time and place. If you've lost your family or part of the group check here first.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
Common Ground Country Fair
PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
Email: cgcf@mofga.org