Hunter Fusick, of East Otis, gets a handle on an ear of corn during the shucking contest in 2025.
Reminder Publishing file photo
BLANDFORD — The 157th Blandford Fair will return Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-7, with a jam-packed schedule of activities for all ages.
Admission is $12 for adults, and $8 for seniors 65 and older and military personnel. Children 12 and under are free. Parking on the fairgrounds at 10 North St. is $5.
Matthew Ripley, president of the Blandford Fair Society, said that last year they saw a 10% increase in fair visitors over the four days, and this year they are hoping to see even more. “We’re hoping for good weather and another increase for this year,” he said.
Some of the highlights include the demolition derby on Saturday, beginning with the enduro race for cars at 6 p.m., followed by the minivan and truck demo derby.
The second annual Shriner motorcycle ride is on Sunday, starting at the Skyline Beer Co. in Westfield at 9 a.m. and ending at the Blandford Fair. The price of the ride includes admission to the fair.
New this year, on Sunday at 6 p.m., the fair has added a Kids Demo Derby with power wheels for ages 3-5 and 6-9. Ripley said the race is for stock power wheels, and helmets are required.
“It’s fun for kids,” Ripley said.
He said there are free kids’ games and activities every hour on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, such as a pedal tractor pull, scarecrow contests and pie-eating contests. On Saturday and Sunday, the Silver Circus Show offers magic and juggling, and the Family Jungle from Westfield brings its exotic animals and reptiles. The Barnyard Petting Zoo opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Monday features the fourth annual Car Show and the New England Tractor Pulls from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Blandford Fair Horse Show runs on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday features a sheep show, beef cattle show and oxen draws throughout the day; Monday features the ADGA Goat Show and a dairy cattle show.
All four days, the 58th annual Blandford Fair Art Show will feature works from area artists of all ages, amateur and professional, in acrylic, oil, pastels, graphic arts, black & white and color photography. Entries are still open for adults and youth. Ripley said this year’s theme for the art show is “Happiness.” For more information on how to enter, go to theblandfordfair.com. Live demonstrations will be given by artists in various media Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Food is always a feature at local country fairs. Besides the plentiful vendors and food trucks, volunteers in the Dining Hall will serve meals of pulled pork, baked beans and corn on Saturday, with meals priced at $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $12 for children, during two service periods beginning at noon and again at 4 p.m. On Sunday, chicken barbecue, potato salad and corn will be served at the same times. On Monday, there will be one serving of brisket, mac & cheese and a vegetable from noon to 3 p.m. Every meal includes a drink and a dessert.
The Skyline Beer Company’s Beer Garden will be open all four days of the fair.
Headlining musical acts on the Center Stage include Aqua Net, the Brat Pack and Sara the Fiddler, among others. A list of all performers and the full schedule of events are available at TheBlandfordFair.com.
The Blandford Fair is a nonprofit agricultural organization. Fair funding is provided in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources.
