After 32 years I can no longer say that I am an owner of the Springfield Fairgrounds. I’m kinda lost. Although my lovely bride would say that my being kinda lost is more of a daily occurrence. The historic Springfield Fairgrounds was finally sold to Ashley LaDuke and Dustin Gordon, last week. They are now the trusted caretakers of our beloved Elmwood Trotting Park, “Drunkards Reunion”, Springfield Fayuh. Congratulations guys. Go get ‘em! In April of 1991, Kevin (brother) and I took over the fairgrounds. We had absolutely no idea what to expect. We just started cleaning things up, tearing down old buildings and try to “move ahead”. Fortunately for us, there were many local people who had a long history with the fair and they were not just willing to give us a change, but ready to jump in and help. From day one there were folks driving out to see the improvements and clean up. They offered help, money, materials, and moral support. I had just moved back to Maine from Virginia and was working in Portland. Friday afternoon I would drive to Springfield. Work on the fair all weekend and return to Portland either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. It was fun and exciting … and scary. I was 30 when I started with the fair. Dustin and Ashley are lots younger than that. But they have the same passion that we did – looking to make lots of improvements and bring the fair back to the limelight. As they travel along on their journey, they’ll hit many bumps in the road. It’s inevitable. Running an agricultural fair requires lots of time invested – pretty much on a year round basis. They’ll also need some good luck and patience. Most importantly, they’ll need your support. They intend to run more events than John and I were able to. They’ll need folks to attend the events, helpers to operate food concessions, run events, park cars and handle security. And they’ll need sponsors. For 32 years I sweet talked, cajoled, begged a bit, laughed with, laughed at, and shared stories regarding the fair with our many incredible sponsors. Without the continued support of the local and regional businesses – the fair could not operate. The financial support is important. But the moral support is key. Without the regular feedback from all of you, who have loved the fair for so long, it would not have survived. Thank you. I wish that I could list every sponsor who has been a part of the fair for so long. It’s just not feasible. So please accept this as my (our) heartfelt thanks. And for the wonderful crew of folks who have volunteered to help put the fair on each year, you’ll have our eternal gratitude. We have been so fortunate to have had hundreds of people help us over all these years. Some were teenagers who helped park cars. Others worked the gate or in a concession while our “mainstays” made sure that the events were well organized and run smoothly. Your help, good attitude and willingness & ability to work so well with the public was needed and appreciated. To all of you who have worked side by side with us at the fair – thank you. John and I will miss that aspect of our relationship.
Exhibit Hall As we say good-by to another fair a new chapter is about to begin. The Exhibit Hall was very busy this year. We had a total of 30 people entering 184 items. There were many wonderful comments about the quality of the work coming into the hall. The judges were pleased with the increase we have had in the vegetable display and that people are starting to use the seed swap. This year Karla Marvin did a fabulous vegetable, herb and floral display which gave her the Best of Show, as well as, the Nesin Award. Alberta Owen received Spirit of the Fair Award for her continued support in entering items into the fair. Thank you Lori for helping to get mom’s things to us. This year Marilyn Worster won the Valued Senior Award. I appreciate all of you that brought things in to enter. Hope to see all of you next year as well as any newcomers. Keep up the good work. See you next year, Pamela Demo Derby---13 Cars Heat Winners Heat 1 1st Chris Woodard 2nd Dustin Gordan 3rd Deacon Connors Heat 2 1st Devon Peters 2nd Sheldon Woodard 3rd Spencer Johnson Overall Winners 1st Chris Woodard 2nd Devon Peters 3rd Dustin Gordan & Sheldon Woodard Best Paint 1st Spencer Johnson #58 2nd Deacon Connors #248 3rd Dustin Gordan #1 Classic and Antique Car Show---31 Cars Antique to 1949 1st Bryce Clay 1946 Chevy Pickup 1950s 1st David York 1954 International 2nd John Brown 1956 Ford F100 3rd Herb Northcote 1951 Pontiac Cheifton 1960s 1st Grant Clay 1966 Chevy Chevelle 2nd Patrick James 1963 Ford Fairlane 500 3rd Sonny Hornbrook 2964 Chevy Super Sport 1970s 1st John Boutot 1970 Chevy Chevelle 2nd James Smith 1970 Porshe1914-6 3rd Tom McLaughlin 1976 Chevy Impala 1980s 1st David Stevens 1988 Chevy Camero 1990s 1st Francis Willette 1999 Ford Mustang GT 2nd Joanne Pottle 1999 Chevy corvette 2000-2009 1st Paul Fitzgerald 2009 Ford Mustang GT California Special 2nd Kim Sherburn 2004 Ford Thunderbird 2010-Current 1st Matthew St. Peter 2016 Chevy Corvette Street 1st Daniel York 1929 Model A Muscle 1st Mike Reynolds 1969 Chevy Camaro 2nd Kevin Steward 1972 Dodge Charger 3rd Kristie Cooper 1968 Chevy Chevelle 4 Wheel Drive Truck 1st Dan Goll 1959 Chevy Napco 2nd John Duvall 1991 Dodge 150 3rd John Prior 1974 Ford F250 2 Wheel Drive Truck 1st Wayne Williams 1982 Chevy C-10 2nd Denis Bachelder 1955 Chevy 3100 3rd Duane Furlong 1960 Ford F-100 Corvettes 1st Robert Davis 1968 Chevy Corvette 2nd Roger Holst 1966 Corvette 3rd Gary Dougherty 2002 Corvette People’s Choice Award Mike Reynolds 1969 Chevy Camaro Best of Show Mike Reynolds 1969 Chevy Camaro Whoopie Pie Contest---4 entries 1st Becky MacIlroy 2nd Deborah Tilton 3rd Alan Dill Open Pie Contest---1 entries 1st Deborah Tilton $100 Prize Drawing---34 participants Age up to 10 years Kolt Dennison Ages 11-18 Caleb Knight Kids Woodsman Day----24 participants Log Roll 1st place Henry Doane 2nd place Bates Bradford 3rd place Jensen Powers PMP 1st place Ethan Friend 2nd place Stephen McDunnah 3rd place Colby Doane Speed Cut 1st Dakota Knights 2nd Colby Doane 3rd Stephen McDunnah Log Roll 1st Ashton Powers 2nd Caleb Knights & Connor Pickering 3rd Isabella Bui & Rivers Bradford PWP 1st Rhianna Duval 2nd Caleb Knights 3rd Ashton Powers Speed Cut 1st Ashton Powers 2nd Rhianna Duval 3rd Caleb Knights Kids Tractor Pulls---16 participants Ages 2-5 1st Remy Bradford 2nd Henry Doane 3rd Kolt Dennison 4th Ellie McDunnah 5th Colton Grahm Ages 6-11 1st Ashton Powers 2nd Bates Bradford 4th Stephen Staples 5th Jensen Powers Children’s Day Events---17 Participants Oreo Cookie Stacking 1st Caleb Knight 2nd Dakota Knight 3rd Lily Mitchell Bubble Gum Blowing 1st Lily Mitchell 2nd Esthella Dill 3rd River Bradford Sack Race Ages 9 and under 1st Colt Bradford 2nd Dominic Tash 3rd Ethan Vadakin Ages 10 and older 1st Jonah Stanley 2nd Lily Mitchell 3rd Esabella Bui Pig Scramble---21 Participants Winners Ashton Powers Caleb Knights Tristen Lambert Johnathan Ethridge Alina Emery Dawson Freeman Colt Bradford Eel Racing---28 Participants Scavenger Hunt---7 Participants Piñata---12 Participants Ethan Friend---winner Kaiden Russell Alexia Russell Sam Libby Kolt Dennison Anthony Modarelli Chris Modarelli Caleb Knight Dakota Knight Rubie McLaughlin Colby Doane Henry Doane Ethella Dill Dylan Moore Women’s Triathlon---12 Participants Skillet for Accuracy 1st Elizabeth Chanpagne 2nd Natalie MacIroy 3rd Aimee Donavan Toilet Seat for Distance 1st Shelby Bradford 2nd Emma Gerkin 3rd Elizabeth Champagne Mop Chuck for Distance 1st Shelby Bradford 2nd Elizabeth Champagne 3rd Emma Gerkin Overall Winners 1st Elizabeth Campagne 2nd Shelby Bradford 3rd Emma Gerkin Northern Maine Antique Tractor Pull---17 Tractors 2000 1st Candi Foster 2nd Dennis Quint 3rd Emily Folsom 3000 1st Chad Ouellette 2nd Dennis Quint 3rd Meredith Folsom 4000 1st Dennis Quint 2nd Paul Folsom 3rd Chris Folsom 5000 1st Peter Folsom 2nd Sonny Folsom 3rd Thomas Jordan 6000 1st Emily Folsom 2nd Chris Langille 3rd Pat Rivard 2500 1st Candi Foster 2nd Larry Foster 3rd Emily Folsom 3500 1st Dennis Quint 2nd Roger Quint 3rd Chad Ouellette 4500 1st Dennis Quint 2nd Chris Folsom 3rd Paul Folsom 5500 1st Scott Jordan 2nd David Leighton 3rd Peter Folsom 6500 1st Pat Rivard 2nd Chris Langille Horse Show—6 participants Halter Western Horse 1st Brooke Thompson 2nd Lauren Page 3rd Nevaeh Ethridge English Horse in Hand 1st Lauren Page Showmanship Ages 6-12 1st Nevaeh Ethridge Showmanship Ages 13-17 1st Lauren Page 2nd Brooke Thompson Walk/Trot Equitation 12 and Under 1st Nevaeh Ethridge English Equitation Ages 13-17 1st Mirage Priller English Equitation Ages 18+ 1st Cora Hicks 2nd Lauren Page English Pleasure Ages 13-17 1st Mirage Priller English Pleasure Ages 18+ 1st Lauren Page 2nd Cora Hicks English Pleasure Stakes 1st Mirage Priller 2nd Lauren Page 3rd Cora Hicks Equitation Over Fences 1st Cora Hicks 2nd Mirage Priller 3rd Lauren Page Jumping 2 ’ 1st Mirage Priller 2nd Cora Hicks Western Walk/Trot Equitation Ages 12 and Under 1st Neveah Ethridge Western Equitation Ages 13-17 1st Mirage Priller Western Walk/Trot Equitation Ages 18+ 1st Lauren Page 2nd Brook Thompson Western Pleasure Ages 6-12 1st Nevaeh Ethridge Western Pleasure Ages 13-17 1st Mirage Priller Western Pleasure Ages 18+ 1st Lauren Page 2nd Brooke Thompson Western Pleasure Stakes 1st Mirage Priller 2nd Lauren Page 3rd Nevaeh Ethridge Trail Class Ages 12 and Under 1st Nevaeh Ethridge Trail Class Ages 13 and over 1st Lauren Page 2nd Mirage Priller 3rd Brooke Thompson Egg and Spoon 1st Mirage Priller 2nd Lauren Page 3rd Nevaeh Ethridge 4th Brooke Thompson Grand Prize $1,000 Winner Allen Dill
