Some shots from recent years at the Three County Fair.
Photo credit: Jessica Marie Photography
NORTHAMPTON — The oldest ongoing fair in the country will return for its 208th year on Labor Day Weekend with another four-day slate of jam-packed fun in the 2025 Three County Fair.
The fair runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
The Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden County Agricultural Society is a nonprofit organization and the purpose of the group and its annual hosting of the fair is to promote agriculture, agricultural education and agricultural science in the state. Each year, the fair has evolved to offer a variety of experiences for its attendees, from farmers sharing their techniques, carnivals, games, livestock demonstrations, crafts, demolition derbies, music, foods and unique entertainment performances in preparation for harvest.
According to Three County Fair Executive Director Taylor Haas, this year attendees can expect the classic elements that have made the fair so beloved for over two centuries, as well as some new additions to overall create a classic fair setting.
“It’s really special that this is the longest running fair in the county. This year, I’m really excited to add some new flavorful competitions — if you will — so getting back to that Americana kind of very American tradition of things happening at a fair,” said Haas.
Specifically, Haas noted there will be a pie eating contest during the weekend that is being done in partnership with 93.9 The River, and sponsored by Florence Pie Bar. The event will feature local “celebrities” participating all in support for a good cause.
“It can be a very gluttonous type of event, but it is benefiting the Western Mass. Food Bank,” Haas noted.
Also a new addition to this year’s fair will be the New England Mobile Dairy Bar, a keg truck for milk offering locally sourced milk with different flavor combinations. This visit from the mobile dairy bar will be in done with partnership with Maple Line Farm.
“It’s a cool way to connect the community with a local farm. It’s a microcosm that we get to know exactly where our milk comes from in this town — it’s a very special thing that’s not like that everywhere else,” said Haas.
Sunday will also feature the newly anticipated New England Mullet Showdown. To register for that and other competitions set for the weekend, visit 3countyfair.com.
Other staple events of the fair will return including the wee wee wee racing pigs, the car show, regular farm livestock competitions and the exhibition hall classics. The demolition derby has been ramped up as well as there will be three nights of school buses being destroyed by trucks this year. Demolition derby events are an additional $8 per ticket and can be purchased on-site during the fair.
“It’s our most popular thing at the fair and what I’m really hoping is I can feel a lot of excitement surrounding the fair and carrying on from last year. Now, we’re adding some new things and getting the community more involved in different ways,” said Haas. “So, I’m really just hoping people kind of take ownership of their part in this community here. The fair is for everyone, and I really hope that everyone can feel a part of it just by coming and creating memories. It’s kind of like a collective experience and we can all be involved in this super special tradition.”
Some other highlights of the weekend will include the Axe Women of Maine, the return of the popular AMDC Wall of Death, live music, food and drink. Musical acts will feature Moose & The High Tops, the Frank Manzi Band, Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze and many more acts during the entire weekend.
To view the full concert and events schedule for the four-day weekend, visit 3countyfair.com.
The fair will once again offer free parking, and tickets can be purchased on the fair’s website. Advance tickets ordered online save buyers $3, while tickets purchased at the booth during the fair will cost $15. Admission for seniors and veterans will be $10, and youth aged 11 and under enter for free.
Haas said the fair is accessible to community members looking for the traditional fair experience that has made it survive for over two centuries.
“The Three County Fair family, we have roots that run deep. There have been people whose parents, grandparents, great grandparents have been involved in the fair. I feel that in my role that I have a great responsibility to not only continue these traditions, but also to remind other members of our community that this tradition exists and there’s so many ways to get involved,” shared Haas. “It truly is special and that’s what the spirit of the fair is. It’s a celebration of our community and everything that keeps it living and lively.”
