Love bluegrass? How about some rockabilly? Enjoy watching the antics of the youngsters at the pig scramble, the 4-H kids showing the livestock they have raised, or the ever-popular skillet toss?
Acton Fair – York County’s agricultural fair – opens Thursday, August 24 and runs through Sunday August 27. The fair, marking its 158th anniversary, offers county residents and visitors who flock to the Route 109 venue an array of events, exhibits, fair food, music, midway rides and more.
If the pig scramble takes your fancy, there is a new twist this year. Along with the original scramble, organizers have put together Grammie’s Sidekick Pig Scramble, so Gram and her 8–10-year-old grandchild can try their luck at securing a piglet. There’s ox pulling, pig calling, exhibits of winning veggies and more. There’s music, a variety show, dancing, a big parade, the crowning of Miss Acton Fair and a car show. A complete schedule is online at: http://actonfair.net.
Acton Fair was first organized in 1866, founded by John Storer of Sanford who donated $1,000 to the fund. The first “World’s Fair” as it was originally called, was held at Acton Corner Oct. 20 to 22, 1868, alternating with Shapleigh the next year, according to historical accounts. In 1890, B.C. and Freeman Jordan gave the land for a fair at its present location off Route 109 in Acton.
Photo credit: Tammy L Wells