Command center going up at Piscataquis fairgrounds

DOVER-FOXCROFT — New construction projects are under way this month as organizers of the Piscataquis Valley Fair prepare the grounds for this year’s fair, scheduled for Aug. 25-28.

Volunteers have constructed a new office building at the grounds, according to Director Bud Prouty, with completion on the building expected in the coming days.

The new building will serve as a command center for the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department and will house a medical emergency room staffed by personnel from Mayo Regional Hospital. The new building also will house the office of the fair’s treasurer.

The command post will allow the sheriff’s office to have an area where the force can focus on public safety, according to Dale Clukey, a member of the Sheriff’s Department.

Maps showing where the emergency building is located will be posted throughout the fairgrounds.

The midway has been expanded this year, Prouty said, allowing for more room for rides and vendors. The scales where the animals are weighed have been moved down near the horse stables and a new cattle barn is being erected.

A new pulling area, which will house benches with a canopy, is also in the works, he said.

All of the popular events will be back at this year’s fair, Prouty said.

These include the horse and pony pulling competition, the lawn and garden tractor pulling competition, beef and dairy shows, 4-H shows and exhibits, craft and food exhibits, horse shows, wrist wrestling, the pig scramble, frog jumping competitions, chicken barbecues, fireworks, band concerts, midway rides and bingo.

Special events on Thursday, Aug. 25, will include judging of the food and produce, needlework, and flower arrangements, a lawn and garden tractor pull, pony pulling and a performance by the Community Band.

On Friday, Aug. 26, events include pony pulling, 4-H shows, the woodsmen’s competition and fireworks at night.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, events include horse pulling, food judging, a horse show, an antique auto display, cattle shows, wrist wrestling and a K-9 demonstration.

The fair will wrap up on Sunday, Aug. 28, with food judging, horse pulls and shows, a chicken barbecue, a pig scramble, a demolition derby and a frog jumping contest.

Four children’s bicycles will be given away during the four-day fair. All rides will open at noon each day of the fair.