A Thousand Ways to Experience the Common Ground Country Fair
The wait is over: The Common Ground Country Fair schedule for 2022 is now available! With a comprehensive list of exhibitors, workshops, vendors, musicians, speakers, children’s activities and more at this year’s Common Ground Country Fair, it is not too early to start planning how you’ll spend your time the weekend of September 23, 24 and 25 at the Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine.
This year the Fair has 66 different areas where fairgoers can engage in educational talks, demonstrations and performances. Farmers and gardeners can find a wide range of talks including topics such as urban beekeeping, growing figs in Maine and seed saving. Families can enjoy a diversity of activities from the iconic sheep dog demonstration to haystack jumping to the bike parade. There will be a dedicated space for holistic living, another for political advocacy, and yet another for do it yourself home hacks. Fairgoers are bound to find something to suit their interests and to walk away inspired.
“Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, staff and knowledgeable community members, we are thrilled to offer three full days of educational programming and fun. Consider joining us on Sunday, if you are looking for a vibrant Fair experience with smaller crowds,” says April Boucher, the Fair’s director.
There is no wrong way to experience the Common Ground Country Fair!
- Take in garden specimens of all kinds on display in the Exhibition Hall, including giant squash and vegetable oddities, home baked goods and children’s apple pie competitions.
- Support Maine makers in the exhibitor tents and two farmers’ markets, and go home with handcrafted, one-of-a-kind art and delicious Maine-produced food.
- Work a volunteer shift. The Fair wouldn’t happen without the support of thousands of volunteers helping to park cars, sorting through compost and recycling, working in the Country Store, and so much more.
And part of the Fair experience is getting there! You can take the historic railcar from Thorndike or Unity or bike in like MOFGA board member Ellen Sabina who says, “I love arriving at the Fair by bike — it’s a great way to cut down on car time and avoid traffic, and bikers receive an extra warm welcome at the gate. Just be sure to bring a good-sized backpack for all the goodies you’ll find from local farmers and makers!”
Click here for a complete schedule and all your other Fair needs. If you’re having a hard time deciding how to spend a day at the Fair or want a pro tip, you can view and download example itineraries. You can also sign up to volunteer at the event; review all of the available volunteer shifts on MOFGA’s Vomo website. In exchange for a four-hour shift, volunteers receive free admission that day, a classic Fair T-shirt and a meal in the volunteer-powered Common Kitchen.
Advance tickets for the event are on sale now through September 21, 2022, at MOFGA’s website. Fairgoers will receive their tickets via email and can download them to a smart phone or print them out to be scanned at the gate. Fairgoers who do not have access to the internet may purchase tickets at The Maine Organic Marketplace in Freeport, Maine. Starting on September 22, tickets are full price through the event.
