My Chamber has had a booth at the Fryeburg Fair for a number of years. For the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, it comes at a difficult time as we run four major events in the weeks after school begins. Our booth at the fair becomes a challenge as we must staff the booth for over 100 hours in an eight-day period. Chamber staff, board members and volunteers work hard to take advantage of this marketing time. It also is a wonderful opportunity as the hundreds of thousands of people who go to the fair may stop to see the booth. It is likely that this work is made just a bit easier by the organization and the good nature of the Fryeburg Fair leadership. The more I have observed their work, the more of a fan I have become.

The Fair Grounds are always clean given the crowd who attack it. I have been impressed in the past as I have watched the decision making process used by the association at the fair for new exhibits. When you attend this event you see many of the same workers and vendors from year to year. In speaking last night with the vendor next to the Chamber booth, I learned he travels to 28 fairs per year throughout New England. He said that the Freyburg Fair was the best in all areas of management. He also felt that given what the fair offers vendors, the pricing he had to pay was reasonable as well. Perhaps what most caught my attention recently was the donation the Association made to the relief effort in New Orleans. This reminded me that I read an article last year on how the Fair Association gave $1 million to a local non profit. (Yes, that was $1,000,000!) In processing I realized that to my knowledge, the Fair Association allows the grounds to be used at other points in the year by local non-profits and other groups that benefit the local community. This is truly an organization that shines in the Lakes Region.

In returning this morning from my time at the fair I saw cars lined up to go to the fair stretching for miles. I know that the fair causes most local inns, B&B’s and motels to fill up. In fact, at the Chamber, we will take a breath and likely will begin fielding calls for the 2006 Fryeburg Fair in November (Oct. 1 to Oct. 8 if you also wish to plan ahead.) I also know that local restaurants, gas stations and other businesses are positively impacted by the fair. While our Chamber works to market this event, the reality is they do a pretty good job on their own. We are fortunate to have them in this region and for eight days each year we just hang on for the ride.

In closing, I will remind you that the next time you are heading to the fair you should consider the many benefits that the region gets from the Fryeburg Fair Association. You also now know what a giving organization they are. As you read this there is still a big weekend to go in Fryeburg. Stop by the GBLRCC Chamber Booth on your visit.

To learn more about the Fryeburg Fair visit www.fryeburgfair.com.