The Fair is On!

This year marks the 14th annual New Gloucester Fair, to be held Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the fairgrounds on 106 Bald Hill Road. There are exciting changes this year. At the annual town meeting, residents voted to provide some funding for 2014 with future years’ funding dependent on charging a nominal admissions fee starting in 2015. In order to maintain as nominal a fee as possible, the committee is planning fund raising activities.

A resident volunteer, who previously operated food services for the Franco American Festival, will operate the New Gloucester Fair Cafe?. Wait until you taste the lemonade! The committee also plans on selling fair T-shirts and asking for donations at the gate. The petting zoo and pony rides will be back again this year along with a car show sponsored by the Yankee Cruisers. There will be crafters and artisans and more activities for kids. Musical groups this year include the Kennebunk River Band, the New England Jazz Band and The Peterson Project.

Volunteers are needed to join the committee or help a few days before with setup, contact info@newgloucesterfair.com. Keep up to date with what’s going on at www.newgloucesterfair.com.

June 28 Happenings at Shaker Village

Throughout the day, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village will present a folk festival featuring free, traditional, Shaker-style craft demonstrations including “From Fiber to Finish” by the R&R Spinners and blacksmithing by Tim Greene. There will be free tractor-drawn wagon rides and a sale of homemade Shaker apple fritters.

The mysteries of the Maine woods will be explored and revealed during a 2.5-hour guided hike through the Shakers’ land. Learn about the indigenous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, trees, and fungi that occupy the many, diverse habitats of Shaker Village. The hike through hayfields, forest land, and century-old logging trails will include insights to the Shakers’ 200 years of land use and management.

Choose between a start time of 10:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. for “Nature’s Outdoor Classroom,” a program that is designed for families, young and old. Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for a 3-mile, moderate walk. Bring your camera, binoculars and bottled water. Fees are adults $8, children $2, and under 6 free. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. If you wish to reserve, call 926-4597 or email usshakers@aol.com. Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is located at 707 Shaker Road, off Route 26, New Gloucester.

Water District Ribbon Cutting

All are invited to the New Gloucester Water District open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m., Monday, June 30, at the New Gloucester Fairgrounds, 106 Bald Hill Road, to formally celebrate its grand opening. Tour the pump station and partake of lemonade and cookies. Please park near the entrance by the old barn.

Declaration of Independence Reading

A reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, July 4, at the New Gloucester History Barn, Intervale Road, behind the Town Hall. The public is invited to this narration, which is sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society.

Pet Show

The New Gloucester Public Library will be hosting its 12th annual Pet Show from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. All pets are welcome to attend for pet-themed story time, socializing, and species-appropriate snacks. For safety, pets must be either on a leash or in a cage. Pre-registration is appreciated. Call Carla at 926-4840 for more information or to register your critter.

New Gloucester resident Mick Mikkelsen drove down to Ogunquit on June 21 to witness the start of the Great Race, a 2,300-mile road rally scheduled to wrap up at The Villages in Florida on June 29. He is standing next to a 1917 Peerless Speedster, one of 109 pre-1972 vehicles in the field.