Common Ground Country Fair Marks 34th Year

This year marks the 34th year of the signature event of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Common Ground Country Fair. This year the fair in Unity is on September 24, 25 & 26. The Fair has grown a lot over the last 34 years. There are now over 700 exhibitors, demonstrators, speakers and artists participating in the Fair.

There’s a lot happening at Common Ground and it’s a lot to take in — with agricultural exhibits, a full scale farmers' market, alternative energy workshops, health and policy talks, live music, great local Maine organic foods, and artisans and entrepreneurs from across the state. At its core, Common Ground is a traditional country fair, with livestock demonstrations, harvest foods, and an exhibition hall.

The entire schedule, including workshops, talks, parades, live music, demonstrations and featured speakers can be viewed online in an interactive calendar via the Fair's website (www.commongroundcountryfair.com).

What's perhaps most remarkable about this event of national renown, is that it is staffed and run almost entirely by volunteers. During set-up, at the Fair, and through clean-up, another 1,800 plus volunteers work in all sorts of roles to keep the Fair in order. To help manage all of these volunteers, Common Ground uses an online volunteer system that enables volunteers to register and choose their shifts online.

Tickets to Common Ground are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for elders 65 and older, and children under 12 are admitted for Free. For information on tickets, volunteering at the Fair, directions, general Fair information and a complete event schedule, visit the Fair’s website, www.commongroundcountryfair.com or call the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener's Association at 568-4142.