We are lucky here in Maine to have such beautiful summers, and along with summer comes fair season.  We also have a long and proud tradition of agriculture here, and a great way to enjoy the summer and get to see the best of our agriculture is by going to one of the state agricultural fairs.

These fairs are loads of fun, and whether you are interested in the rides on the midway, seeing the prize vegetables, the champion animals, or even the tractor pull, you almost always get your money’s worth. And some of the fairs have horse races as well.  Below is a list of the Maine State Agricultural Fairs:

This month

July 12-15: Ossipee Valley Fair, South Hiram.

July 20-22, Waterford World’s Fair, North Waterford.

July 26-29, Pittston Fair, Pittston,

July 27-Aug. 5, Bangor State Fair, Bangor.

July 27-Aug. 4, Northern Maine Fair, Presque Isle.

August

Aug. 1-4, Monmouth Fair, Monmouth.

Aug. 7-12, Topsham Fair, Topsham.

Aug. 9-18, Skowhegan Fair, Skowhegan.

Aug. 18-25, Union Fair, Union.

Aug. 23-26, Piscataquis Valley Fair, Dover-Foxcroft.

Aug. 23-26, Acton Fair, Acton.

Aug. 26-Sept. 3, Windsor Fair, Windsor.

Aug. 30-Sept. 3, Blue Hill Fair, Blue Hill.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Springfield Fair, Springfield.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, Harmony Fair, Harmony.

September

Sept. 6-9, Clinton Lions Fair, Clinton.

Sept. 7-9, Litchfield Fair, Litchfield.

Sept. 12-15, Oxford County Fair, Oxford.

Sept. 14-16, New Portland Lion’s Fair, North New Portland.

Sept. 16-22, Farmington Fair, Farmington.

Sept. 21-23, Common Ground Fair, Unity.

Sept. 23-29, Cumberland Fair, Cumberland Center.

Sept. 30-Oct. 7, Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg.

In addition to being fun, these fairs are a wonderful way to support agriculture in our state.  I hope you are able to get to at least one this year.  For more information about Maine’s agricultural fairs you can visit their website at: http://www.mainefairs.org/fairs.html.

And remember, if there is anything I can do for you in Augusta, please call my office at the State House at 287-1515 or visit my website, www.mainesenate.org/diamond to send me an e-mail.

Senator Bill Diamond is a resident of Windham, and serves the District 12 communities of Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Standish, Windham and Hollis.