10 fairs you don’t In Western Massachusetts Adams Agricultural Fair 371 Old Columbia St. Adams Aug. 2-4 adams-agricultural-fair.org The Double M Rodeo promises to be a highlight of the 45th Adams Agricultural Fair, which also includes a demolition derby, livestock contests, horse and oxen pulls, a K-9 dog demonstration, a birds of prey show, live music and entertainment, concessions, amusement rides, an exhibit hall and concessions.
Cummington Fair 97 Fairgrounds Road, Cummington Aug. 22-25 cummingtonfair.com Held over four days, the Cummington Fair seems to have something for everyone. Watch the Western Mass. Lumberjack championship, a demolition derby, 4x4 truck pulls or one of the many horse or oxen pulls. The fair also includes several livestock competitions, a grange hall, a midway, concessions, live music and entertainment.
Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield Sept. 13-29 thebige.com "New England's Great State Fair,” founded in 1917, is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country, drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually. While you are here, make sure to try one of the fair’s famous fried foods and its signature dessert, the Big E cream puff. Enjoy rides on the midway or take in one of the many musical acts, including this year’s headliners: Loverboy, Foreigner and Skillet. You’ll also want to tour the six New England statehouses, take in a horse show or pig race, and view the 600-pound butter sculpture.
Fruits, vegetables, flowers and crafts are shown off with their ribbons at the 150th Cummington Fair in this photo from August 2018. Berkshire Eagle File Photo
Heath Fair
Sheffield Fair
9 Hosmer Road, Heath Aug. 16-18 heathfair.org
Sheffield Town Park, 21 Depot Square, Sheffield Sept. 7 sheffieldfair.com
You won’t find an ATM or Wi-Fi at this small-town fair, but what you will find is a large community celebration. This threeday fair includes a ham and bean supper, a blueberry pancake breakfast, a barbecue run by the town’s firefighters and zucchini races. The weekend also includes livestock competitions, horse and oxen pulls, an antique tractor pull, grange exhibits, concessions and live entertainment.
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This one-day fair might be small, but it’s worth the trip. The Sheffield Fair features hayrides, a woodsman demonstration, interactive animal displays, a drum circle, horse barrel races, live music and entertainment, and free games and activities for kids.
