Welcome to the

Durham Agricultural Fair

Homepage! The Durham Agricultural Fair is the largest of the many events of this type in Connecticut. Over 250,000 people attend our three-day fair each year, which is traditionally held on the last full weekend in September. We are also the largest fair in North America that is managed entirely by unpaid volunteers, a tradition of which we are fiercely protective.

Our purpose is the preservation of the agricultural heritage of Connecticut. Our major programs include competitive exhibits for livestock and personal skills, educational agricultural exhibits and demonstrations, a crafts show, an antique show, country & western stage entertainment, novelty contests, a commercial exhibits area, a carnival midway and an entertainment area designed especially for families with small children. Of course, we also provide an extensive offering of high-quality food concessions, with special emphasis on those staffed by other local not-for-profit civic organizations.

DATES: September 22nd, 23rd & 24th 1995
HOURS: Friday and Saturday 9 A.M.-11 P.M., Sunday 9 A.M.-7 P.M.
LOCATION: Durham Fairgrounds, Jct. Routes 68, 17 & 79, Durham, CT
DIRECTIONS: Exit 15 off Route 91 or Exit 62 off Route 95, Follow signs to FREE PARKING and SHUTTLE BUSSES.
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 225 Durham, CT 06422
GENERAL INFORMATION: Contact Charlotte Kennedy, Secretary, at 203.349.9495

COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS

The Durham Fair features a fantastic program of competitive exhibits, with well over 2,000 exhibitors and 6,000 entries! Over $70,000 in exhibit premiums are awarded each year! We feature very popular programs for youth and group exhibitors, too! SHOW US YOUR STUFF in1995! There are no exhibit entry fees, and all exhibitors are entitled to a special reduced-rate three-day exhibitor's pass!

Exhibit categories include Gardening; including fruits, vegetables and flowers, and Personal Skills, such as art, canning, cookery, hobbies, needlework and photography. For entry information contact Norm Hicks at 203.349.8369. Tell him you found us on the Web!

Competitive Livestock Exhibits feature beef, dairy, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. We also feature old-time horse, ox, and pony pulling contests! Contact Linda Zanelli at 203.345.4885 for entry information.

EDUCATIONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL EXHIBITS

The Durham Fair features many interesting and educational exhibits and demonstrations, including crafts and hobby skills. Contact Barbara DeMartino at 203.349.8130 for information on how you can share your knowledge! We also display a barn full of our extensive collection of antique farm machinery and household gadgets. Don't miss it!

FOOD

The Durham Fair is constantly seeking only the best of a wide variety of food concessions, which we arrange throughout our fairgrounds. Applications for our program are available by contacting Debi Waz at 203.349.8234. Space is always in high demand, so call early!

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We feature two large tents concentrated on presenting over one hundred high quality products and service concessionaires that are sure to interest our fair patrons. To have your application considered, contact Jim Kwieraga at 203.349.2378. Larger concessions requiring separate outdoor space may contact Debi Waz at 203.349.8234.

CRAFTS SHOW

The Durham Fair is well known for our huge juried presentation of crafters. Every booth features high-quality, hand-made crafts, with each concessionaire selling only their own work. Housed in enormous white tents on Durham's historic Town Green, preferred crafters demonstrate their skills to our fair patrons. Applications: Contact Linda Mansolf at 203.349.1808

ANTIQUE SHOW

Our antique show includes a wide variety ofestablished high-quality dealers all under one large tent. All antiques exhibited are for sale. For application information, contact Marilyn Zeeb at 203.349.9708.

ENTERTAINMENT

Our entertainment program features Nationally known Country Music Stars, novelty contests, and "Kids' Place" - with entertainment especially for families with small children. Come meet "Marigold" the cow, our Durham Fair mascot! Contact Wendy Manemeit @ 203.349.0008 for further information.

CARNIVAL MIDWAY

The Durham Fair presents an exciting midway, with amusements ranging from mild to wild sure to please every age group. Our kiddie ride area is separately located next to our recently-created "Kids' Place" entertainment area. For information contact Gene Chiappetta at 203.876.2232.

VOLUNTEER!

The Durham Agricultural Fair is the largest fair in North America managed entirely by unpaid volunteers. We are always seeking people who share our interest in preserving Connecticut's agricultural heritage. If you would like to volunteer to help present our programs or participate in our many support operations, please contact us by phone at 203.349.9495, or send us a note.

How to Reach Us:

By Mail:: P.O. Box 225 Durham, CT 06422
By electonic mail:: DurhamFair@AOL.com
or use our our on-line form.