Massachusetts - Fairs and Festivals

• For more fun activities, see Massachusetts Events page

Adams Agricultural Fair
Bowe Field off Columbia Street (Route 8)
Adams, MA
Phone: 413-743-2148

August 6 - 8, 2010

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This fair has everything an agricultural fair should; a demo derby, agricultural and horticultural competitions, a midway, country music, a petting zoo, and more. Time: Friday, 5 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Cost: adults, $5; children ages 6 - 12, $1; under 6, free. Information: 413-743-2148 or visit www.adamsfair.com.

Berkshire Fringe Festival
Daniel Arts Center, 84 Alford Road and Mixed Company, 37 Rossetter Street
Great Barrington, MA
Phone: 413-320–4175

July 28 - August 16, 2010

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Hailed as ‘sassy and experimental' by the New York Times, the Sixth Annual Berkshire Fringe presents three weeks of mind-blowing original theater, dance, music, free programs and community workshops. All opening night performances are pick your own price. With over 50 concerts and events in two Great Barrington venues, there is something for everyone. Regular ticket prices are just $15. Season passes also available.  Information: visit www.berkshirefringe.org.

Eastern States Exposition
1305 Memorial Avenue
West Springfield, MA
Phone: 413-737-2443

September 17 - October 3, 2010

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Fair-goers will enjoy top name entertainment, The Big E Super Circus, Mardi Gras Parade, the Avenue of States, Storrowton Village, rides, crafts, shopping, foods from around the world and more. Time: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., daily. Cost: adults, $12 on weekdays/$15 on weekends; children ages 6 - 12, $8 on weekdays/$10 on weekends; under 6, free. Information: 413-737-2443 or visit www.thebige.com.

Franklin County Fair
Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA
Phone: 413-774-4282

September 9-12, 2010

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This year’s fair will feature a midway, draft horse show, live entertainment, a parade, a demo derby, agricultural exhibits, firefighters' muster, the fair museum, the Flying Wallendas, and a new Children’s area. Time: Thursday, 3 - 10 p.m.; Friday, noon - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: adults, $9; seniors, $6; youth ages 9 - 17, $7; ages 8 and under, free. Information: 413-774-4282 or visit www.fcas.com. m.

Littleville Fair
15 Kinnebrook Road
Chester, MA
Phone: 413-667-3987

August 6 - 8, 2010

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The 89th Annual Littleville Fair will include many attractions for young and old alike, including a midway, water slides and a bounce house, horse and oxen pulls, truck pulls beef and cattle shows, sheep shows, a petting zoo with pony rides, wagon rides, live music, magicians, clowns, face painting, a dining hall, craftors and vendor, and more. Time: Friday, 4 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Cost: adults, $6; children under 10, free. Information: 413-667-3987 or visit www.littlevillefair.com.

Middlefield Fair
7 Bell Road
Middlefield, MA
Phone: 413–623–5350

August 13 - 15, 2010

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Come to the fair and enjoy live music, delicious food, antique tractor pulls, lots of fun activities for all ages, and a chili cook-off. Time: Friday, 4 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: adults $6; seniors over 50 $5; children under 12, free. Information: 413-623-5350 or visit www.middlefieldfair.org.

Solid Sound Festival
MassMOCA, 87 Marshall Street
North Adams, MA

August 13 - 15, 2010

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Wilco will be headlining and curating the Solid Sound Festival at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring performers such as Vetiver, The Books, Avi Buffalo, Mavis Staples, and several of Wilco’s side-projects. The weekend also includes comedy, theatre, and admission to all of MassMOCA’s art exhibits. Time: Friday, 8 p.m. - midnight; Saturday, 1 p.m. - midnight; Sunday, 1 - 8 p.m. Cost: $91 per weekend pass. Information: visit www.solidsoundfestival.com.

Bolton Fair
Lancaster Fairgrounds, 318 Seven Bridge Road
Lancaster, MA
Phone: 978-365-7206

August 11 - 15, 2010

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This fair features huge animal shows, horticultural exhibits, farmer’s market exhibit hall, a 100-vendor craft show, commercial vendors, live stage entertainment, horse and oxen pull, tractor pull, a lumberjack show, midway, 30 food vendors, pony rides, beekeeping and honey exhibits, rooster crowing contest, horse show, racing pigs, thrill shows, kids country featuring musicians, singers, animal petting zoo, sheep shearing, goat milking. Time: Wednesday, 5 - 9 p.m.; Thursday - Friday, noon - 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Adults, $10; children age 7-12, $5; seniors, $8; children under age 6, free. Information: 978-365-7206 or visit www.boltonfair.org.

Bourne Scallop Festival
Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street
Bourne, MA
Phone: 603-332-2616

September 24 - 26, 2010

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The 41st Annual Bourne Scallop Festival features juried American-made arts, crafts, specialty foods and music. Award winning scallop dinners, midway rides and games plus terrific headline entertainment complete this picture perfect New England event. Cost: adults, $5; children under 12, free. Information: 603-332-2616 or visit www.bournescallopfest.com.

Wellfleet OysterFest
Main Street
Wellfleet, MA
Phone: 508-349-3499

October 16 - 17, 2010

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The 10th annual Wellfleet OysterFest is a two-day street party celebrates the town's famous oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions and brings together locals and visitors alike for a weekend full of hometown flavor and big time fun. The town center becomes a walking district that offers something for everyone: local cuisine, arts and crafts, children's activities, educational exhibits, live music and the Oyster Shuck-Off competition. Satellite events away from the crowds, and many with the beautiful harbor as a backdrop, showcase all that the village has to offer. Time: Friday, 4 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: free admission. Information: visit www.wellfleetoysterfest.org.

Spencer Fair
Smithville Road
Spencer, MA
Phone: 508-958-2119

September 3 - 6, 2010

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Enjoy a day of family fun with agriculture; animal, vegetable, and horticultural competitions and exhibits, stage shows, a hypnotist, demo derbies, a truck pull, and a children’s entertainment area. Time: see website for full schedule. Cost: adults, $10; children ages 7 - 12, $6; under 7, free. Information: 508-885-5814 or visit www.spencerfair.org.

Waters Farm Days Fall Festival
Waters Farm, 53 Waters Road
Sutton, MA

October 2 - 3, 2010

Enjoy an old-fashioned fair and family fun featuring a tractor pull, wagon rides, craft vendors, lumberjack show, engine & tractor show, craft vendors, house tours, 4-H show, pony rides, pumpkin painting, all-terrain train rides, exhibits including blacksmith shop, shingle mill, maple sugar house, music, and more. Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: adults, $7; youth ages 3 - 17, $1. Information: 508-865-0101 or visit www.watersfarm.org.

Agricultural Society Fair
West Tisbury Fairgrounds, 35 Panhandle Road
West Tisbury, MA
Phone: 508-693-9549

August 19 - 22, 2010

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Rides, games, music, livestock, competitions, craft demonstrations, food, shopping, an art show, and awards for homegrown vegetables, fruits, flowers and homemade goodies are all part of this annual community fair. The-ever popular dog show, pig races and a skillet toss make this a can’t miss event. Time: Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Friday - Sunday, 10 a.m.- 11 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 508-693-9549 or visit www.mvas.vineyard.net.

Nantucket Comedy Festival
Various locations around the island
Nantucket, MA
Phone: 917-374-9397

July 28 - 31, 2010

The Nantucket Comedy Festival (NCF) kicks off its third year as the island’s premiere non-profit event focused on bringing the very best comedy talent to the residents and summer visitors of Nantucket island, while supporting local charities. This year’s festival features writers and comedians from The Simpsons, a special ladies’ night of comedy, and Lewis Black, and once again provides children’s comedy workshops, special community events and a host of VIP cocktail receptions that aim to capture and celebrate the power of laughter and the universal appeal of comedy. See website for times and costs. Information: 917-374-9397 or visit www.nantucketcomedyfestival.com.

Gloucester Waterfront Festival
Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue
Gloucester, MA
Phone: 603-332-2616

August 14-August 15, 2010

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This outdoor festival along the harbor features 175 booths of American-made arts, crafts, food and live music. A pancake breakfast, lobster bake and an antique car show complete this picture perfect New England event. Time: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. both days. Cost: free. Information: www.castleberryfairs.com.

Lowell Quilt Festival
Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA
Phone: 978-452-4207

August 12 - 14, 2010

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The Lowell Quilt Festival is one of the country's best celebrations of the art of quilting. This year's festival will center around the Images exhibit at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, featuring a juried quilt show, exhibits, auction, vendors, live demonstrations and a daily lunch with guest speaker. Partnering museums and galleries in the city will also offer exhibits featuring the textile arts. Free transportation available between parking areas and festival sites. Time: Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: $12. Information: visit www.lowellquiltfestival.org.

Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Route 1
Topsfield, MA  01983
Phone: 978-887-5000
Fax: 978-887-3016

America’s Oldest Fair!
October 1 - October 11, 2010

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The 191st annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 1, 2010 through Columbus Day, October 11, 2010. The country's oldest continuously operating county fair features family entertainment, agricultural exhibits including the New England Giant Pumpkin weigh-off on opening day, a premier fall flower show, poultry, fruit and vegetables, rabbits, 4-H, a draft horse show, horse and oxen pulling, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas, the Essex County Farm Yard, a Farm/Fair Museum, Home Arts, art show and much, much more including the Fiesta Shows Midway.

Yankee Homecoming 2010
Various locations throughout Newburyport
Newburyport, MA

July 25-August 1, 2010

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Weeklong festival with family fun, music, art, entertainment, food, fireworks, a parade and so much more; the very best Newburyport has to offer. Cost: Free Information: www.yankeehomecoming.com

Carver Old Home Day
Shurtleff Park, Route 58
Carver, MA

July 31, 2010

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Some of the highlights of the day are the Old Home Day Car Cruise and Meet, Annual Horseshoe Tournament, Annual Bicycle & Doll Carriage Parade, the New England clambake, plus much more. Admission is free. Information: www.carverma.org/oldhomeday.htm

Marshfield Fair
140 Main Street, Route 3A
Marshfield, MA
Phone: 781-834-6629

August 20 - 29, 2010

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The whole family will enjoy this week-long community fair, featuring several concerts, demo derbies, a motorcross, midway, feista shows, an ox pull, farm draft show, giant pumpkin contests, and more. Time: Monday - Friday, noon - 10 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Cost: adults, $10; children under 6, free. Information: 781-834-6629 or visit www.marshfieldfair.org.

Rehoboth Fair
Intersection of Wheaton and Almeida Roads
Rehoboth, MA
Phone: 508-226-0276

August 6 - 9, 2010

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Attractions for children are the petting zoo and live stock exhibits, also a Kiddie Pedal Pull where children compete riding tricycles while pulling a mini-sled for prize ribbons. Adult fun centers around the tractor pulls, including: Garden Tractor, Mass Mini, and Southern New England Tractor Pulls set for Saturday, as well as Garden and Farm Tractor Pulls on Sunday. Bristol County Open 4-H Horse Show and Demolition Derby. Time: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Cost: adults, $7; children 6 - 12, $4; under 6, free. Information: 508-336-8414 or visit www.therehobothfair.com.