Springfield Fair Results 2022

After 32 years I can no longer say that I am an owner of the Springfield Fairgrounds. I’m kinda lost. Although my lovely bride would say that my being kinda lost is more of a daily occurrence. The historic Springfield Fairgrounds was finally sold to Ashley LaDuke and Dustin Gordon, last week. They are now the trusted caretakers of our beloved Elmwood Trotting Park, “Drunkards Reunion”, Springfield Fayuh. Congratulations guys. Go get ‘em! In April of 1991, Kevin (brother) and I took over the fairgrounds. We had absolutely no idea what to expect. We just started cleaning things up, tearing down old buildings and try to “move ahead”. Fortunately for us, there were many local people who had a long history with the fair and they were not just willing to give us a change, but ready to jump in and help. From day one there were folks driving out to see the improvements and clean up. They offered help, money, materials, and moral support. I had just moved back to Maine from Virginia and was working in Portland. Friday afternoon I would drive to Springfield. Work on the fair all weekend and return to Portland either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. It was fun and exciting … and scary. I was 30 when I started with the fair. Dustin and Ashley are lots younger than that. But they have the same passion that we did – looking to make lots of improvements and bring the fair back to the limelight. As they travel along on their journey, they’ll hit many bumps in the road. It’s inevitable. Running an agricultural fair requires lots of time invested – pretty much on a year round basis. They’ll also need some good luck and patience. Most importantly, they’ll need your support. They intend to run more events than John and I were able to. They’ll need folks to attend the events, helpers to operate food concessions, run events, park cars and handle security. And they’ll need sponsors. For 32 years I sweet talked, cajoled, begged a bit, laughed with, laughed at, and shared stories regarding the fair with our many incredible sponsors. Without the continued support of the local and regional businesses – the fair could not operate. The financial support is important. But the moral support is key. Without the regular feedback from all of you, who have loved the fair for so long, it would not have survived. Thank you. I wish that I could list every sponsor who has been a part of the fair for so long. It’s just not feasible. So please accept this as my (our) heartfelt thanks. And for the wonderful crew of folks who have volunteered to help put the fair on each year, you’ll have our eternal gratitude. We have been so fortunate to have had hundreds of people help us over all these years. Some were teenagers who helped park cars. Others worked the gate or in a concession while our “mainstays” made sure that the events were well organized and run smoothly. Your help, good attitude and willingness & ability to work so well with the public was needed and appreciated. To all of you who have worked side by side with us at the fair – thank you. John and I will miss that aspect of our relationship.

Are you one of those unlucky folks who have never won anything in your life? Do ya buy lottery tickets every week? Throw some money at the local fire departments gun raffle? Purchase a few chances on the snow sled or ATV club’s raffle? And never win a friggin’ thing? Well, your luck has changed. I can feel it. You are gonna be the lucky winner of our brand spankin’ new 2022 Corvette ….. or some other slightly used car or truck. The Springfield Fair is bringing back our “car giveaway” spectacular. At the end of the day, on Saturday Sept. 3rd at around 7:00 pm, we will be giving away one of the following: 1) a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette or a 2) used car or truck or 3) $1000. Dustin and Ashley, of Up In Smoke Auto Recycling , are on the hunt for one of the first two prizes. If for any reason they are unable to locate a decent vehicle we will still give one lucky winner a check for $1000. That’s right. You heard it here. If your name is drawn from the bottom of one of our porta potties (or a hat), you will be the recipient of 100,000 Lincoln pennies, 200 five dollar bills or one hundred ten dollar bills. Really – at the very least you could win $1000. All you have to do is fill out the registration form (given to you at the gate as you pay the entry fee to the fair), drop if off in the pavilion and be in attendance after the truck pulls (7:00 pm more or less) to hear your name announced. View the 2022 Fair Schedule: View Here And if winning a car or $1000 isn’t enough, we’ll be selling penny candy again in the museum. Plus, for the young ‘uns, we’ll be passin’ out free stuff as you enter the fairgrounds. Who needs mega millions when we’ve got the Springfield Fair?! Come out to the big city on Friday and Saturday of Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2 & 3) and enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Maine’s oldest and most traditional agricultural fairs. You won’t regret it and hey …. Just like Motel 6 – “we’ll leave the lights on for ya”. Thank you to the generous support of the following businesses who make this fair possible! Access Auto & Lincoln Power Sports Affordable Plumbing Bangor Savings Bank Berg Activewear Bloomer, Russell & Beaupain Carl's Auto Parts Carlos Lopez & Assoc. Clay, Grant Family Coastal Auto Parts, Lincoln Collins, Al, Penny and Tyler Crane Brothers Farms Cumberland Title CWA & Lake Street Real Estate D & D Paving Dead River Company Downs, Dave & Greta F.A. Peabody Company Gateway Title Hannaford H.C. HAYNES, INC. Hogan Tire Houghton Cedar Products Ireland's Rubbish Service Katahdin FCU Lee Motors Leisure Living Lands Lincoln News Dr. Durwin Libby Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union Machias Savings Bank MADDEN, S.F. INC. Maine Financial Group Oakhurst Dairy PAT'S PIZZA Pelletier Ford of Lincoln Raymond's Variety & Diner Ritchie, Loren and Liz Sleeping Bear Campground & Cabins Stanley, Steve and Lorraine State Farm Insurance Steaks N' Stuff SW Collins Thompson Trucking, Inc. Timberland Trucking Town of Lincoln Tractor Supply United Country Lifestyle Properties of Maine UP IN SMOKE AUTO RECYCLING Varney Agency WARE'S POWER EQUIPMENT & HUSQVARNA

As my tenure as an owner of this grand old fair comes to an end, I think back on all of the wonderful people who have helped make the Springfield Fair so unique and special. Many good friends and family members have passed on. To be fair, I’ve been an owner for only 31 years. This ole girl was started back in 1851. There must have been thousands of dedicated local people who helped build our fair into the special event and unique part of the local history that it is today. 2022 Fair Schedule: View Now To name a few (please forgive me if your family member’s name is not noted here. There have been far too many to mention – but they will always be remembered) – my mom, Elizabeth Ritchie, who loved to bake, coddle, encourage and smile while staffing the information booth with Ken and Tina . Normie Ham who worked tirelessly to prepare our facility for the thousands who unknowingly walked across his recently cut grass. Tim Blanchard – always offering Joanne’s help in whatever venture or project he felt worthy ---- for her to do. Charlie Simpson , a kind and good natured, perfect example of what makes the Fair special. Dick Curless – our first famous performer who loved the Springfield Fair like no other. Pauline Arbo who raced into the beano hall every year to try and enhance her kid’s inheritance with fresh bingo winnings. Roger & Terri Stacey – he for many years of quietly keeping the grounds safe and clean – she for forcing me to see the fair through the eyes of an excited Springfield (Lakeville) inhabitant. Jason Ham … “I’ll tell ya one G.D. thing” – always a laugh while he brought his dog Laddie to take/leave a fresh pile on our lawn. Clayton & Claire Raymond – always there and ready to help. Fernald Linscott – telling stories of yester year by starting out contemplatively “I’m just a simple man” … and then giving a brief lesson in local history. Hazen Sawtelle – recently passed – one of the small group who helped save the fair from extinction and by selling to Kevin and I in 1991. Everett McLeod – the voice of the fair “give ‘em a good hand ladies and gentlemen.” My blushing bride’s grandparents – Helen and Erland Goodhue – 5th generation dairy farmers, picked up trash, encouraged kids and into their 90’s wanting to be a part of something as special as our fair. Oopie Thompson – the comical but kind announcer for the Talent Show. Steve & Therese Sawyer – loyal, honest, kind and kinda caustic (only Steve ). And Tina Pond – as kind and caring person as any of us will ever meet. There are so many more who should be named. Please forgive me. I could only mention a few. It is my hope that, while reading through the few names, you will remember your special family members or friends who have been an important part of the fabric of this incredible institution – The Springfield Fair. I have been blessed and honored to be a small part of the fair. I would like to thank each and every one of you (past and present) who have allowed me to be a part of the area and this wonderful fair, to let me do my thing while trying to put together a fair, some concerts and other events that, hopefully, helping bring commerce to local merchants, entice new folks to the area and put a smile on your kid’s face. It has been a blast. For 31 years much of my time has been spent putting together “this year’s” Springfield Fair – the first 15 with Kevin and these last 16 years with Krafty (assisted by Clyde ---- among others). Thank you gentlemen. Now, it’s on to the new owners – Dustin Gordon and Ashley LaDuke . Go get ‘em. May the wind be always at your backs. To all those who directly helped me/us build the fair – our superintendents, volunteers, exhibitors, friends & families – it never could have happened without you. To the patriarch of the fair – Ron Doane – you and your family were here long before I was. Doing what needed to be done. Well done kind sir(s). Carrie – putting up with my bitching. Isaac – for putting up with me always having to do something fair related – not enough time for wiffle ball and for growing up in the era without a carnival. I’ll have more time now – God willing. Always support local people and local events. That is where memories are made. There’s no place like Maine and there’s nothing quite like the Springfield Fair! See ya Labor Day Weekend - I want to see you there!

Seriously though, we are working hard to try and fill our stalls. If you would like for you and your kids or grandkids to be a part of the 172nd Springfield Fair – call Kirk at 738-2888. View/Print the 2022 Springfield Fair Schedule Now We are also hoping to fill our wonderful, old exhibit hall with handy work, crocheting, quilts, knitting, fresh vegetables, unique photos, farm displays or any other items that can help teach the younger generation how things were made and where food comes from. You probably won’t believe this but one of the soon to be new owners of the fairgrounds is sitting at home right now putting together a patchwork quilt. That’s right. I have it on “good authority” that Duston Gordon is a closet handy work specialist. And to add a bit more spice to the story – I was just sent a video of Clyde, in an apron, baking pies for our pie contest. He’s wearing pink bunny slippers, has his hair in curlers and is singing a Captain and Tenile song at the top of his lungs. Bless their hearts – how they do love the ole Springfield Fair!

I’m pooped. And I’m pumped. And according to my son – I’m old. Let’s begin with pooped. Our Lonestar concert was last week and it was a blast. Of the 20, or so, national concerts that we have done, this is one of my two absolute favorites. (The other was the Marshal Tucker Band). Lonestar’s sound and light production – including video boards which we have never been able to accommodate – were well beyond anything our little facility has seen. The band members and their entire crew were great to work with. The crowd was wonderful and into it… particularly one gentleman (who will, for now, remain nameless) who danced for about two straight hours.

Here are some of the very best photos of our most recent concert at the Historic Springfield Fairgrounds - we can't wait to do it again! We had a great night with Lonestar and Adam Curtis! We’ll see you all again over Labor Day Weekend as we look forward to the 172nd Springfield Fair - View the 2022 fair schedule here . Many thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and volunteers who made this night possible. Photography by Skull Kandy Ramble. Richardsons Hardware Pelletier Ford of Lincoln Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union Carlos Lopez & Associates Treeline Inc. Rick Burpee - State Farm Insurance Agent CWA & Lake Street Real Estate Cumberland Title Co. Gateway Title of Maine, Classic Country 94.7 Kixx FM Motorbrain Consulting Inc. 4R Animal Shelter

The 172nd Springfield Fair returns to the fairgrounds on September 2nd and 3rd of Labor Day Weekend and have brought back many of your favorite traditions! The whole family with laugh at the Pig Racing - but wait... We will also host Eel Racing as well! If you're not all about racing then perhaps a Pig Scramble is more your style. View the full 2022 Springfield Fair Printable Brochure of Events here. “For everyone paying daily admission, you will receive a survey form to fill out and return to the pavilion. At around 7pm (after the truck pulls) we will draw one lucky winner’s name from a hat to win one nice prize.”- A used car. When kids enter the grounds, they will be given a "Children’s Day" Scorecard. For every kids event that they participate in, they should have the event superintendent initial the form. If they participate in at least 5 events, they will receive a free ice cream and a chance to win $100. Qualifying events are: 1. Gold Dust, 2. Face Painting, 3. Bubble gum Blowing, 4. Sac Race, 5. Woodsman’s Day - all 3 events are needed for the initials, 6. Scavenger Hunt, 7. Kids Tractor Pulls, 8. Oreo Cookie Stacking, 9. Hot Shot Hoops, 10. Piñata. 11. Football Toss for accuracy, 12. Baseball toss for accuracy. We may add more events to the list. $100 Drawing will take place at 3:00pm in the pavilion.

All our biggest details about the upcoming Lonestar, The Historic Springfield Fairgrounds show! Listen to our interview with KIXX FM - online ticket sales are open until August 5th. $50 tickets may be purchased at the gate. Tickets online here . Gates open at 5:00 PM. Thanks to the support of the following sponsors: Richardsons Hardware Pelletier Ford of Lincoln Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union Carlos Lopez & Associates Treeline Inc. Rick Burpee - State Farm Insurance Agent CWA & Lake Street Real Estate Cumberland Title Co. Gateway Title of Maine, Classic Country 94.7 Kixx FM Motorbrain Consulting Inc. 4R Animal Shelter