Marshfield Fair

When a group of local farmers started the Marshfield Fair back in 1867, the event was part farmers’ market and part farm entertainment, according to Carlton Chandler, longtime director of the Marshfield Agricultural Society and secretary/treasurer of the fair

“It was more ‘I think my ox is stronger than yours. Lets see who can pull that stone the farthest,’” said Chandler, who on Aug. 9 was busy preparing for the start of the 143rd Marshfield Fair, a late August tradition which this year starts Friday, Aug. 20 and runs until Sunday, Aug. 29. “There were events like horse shoe pitching and racing from point A to point B.”

While the Midway, and its many modern rides, is a definite draw at today’s Marshfield Fair, horse racing – a popular event during the 1960s, 70s and 80s – once dominated the week’s events.

“The horse racing was a big part of it,” said Chandler, recalling total crowds in excess of 200,000. “It was certainly a main feature that we might remember it by.”

When the races went away in 1991, Chandler said organizers began devoting more time to the area of farming. Today’s fair, he said, features strong elements of agriculture, horticulture and arts and crafts.

This year, Chandler said he hopes to see 165,000 to 185,000 guests visit the fair over the scheduled 10-day period. That estimate, however, depends on whether the fairgrounds stay dry.

“We’re just so dependent on the weather,” he said, recalling the last Saturday of last year’s fair, which was completely rained out. “You can’t do anything about it. I’m hoping that we can get nine of 10” days without rain.

New at this year’s fair will be an expanded blues festival, Chandler said.

“The first weekend is two days instead of just a single day … we’ve also relocated a lot of the things on the grounds,” he said, adding that there will be a lot to see in the realm of crafts and photography, and, of course, agriculture and horticulture.

“In this day in age, people are very in tune with locally grown … we look to try to bring in any type of educational informative displays that go along towards that point,” he said, noting that a strong growing season could make for a memorable giant pumpkin contest.

“We did have one over 1,000 pounds a couple of years ago,” Chandler said. “There should be anywhere from five to a dozen pumpkins.”

Roni Lahage, the fair’s director of horticulture, said visitors could expect the bottom floor of aggie hall to beam daily with fresh floral arrangements.

“There’s lots of things happening everyday,” she said, listing floor and tabletop floral exhibits as well as educational and conservational lectures. “Folks that come in are really impressed by the quality of the exhibits.”

While there will daily presentations on everything from herb gardening to flower arrangements, Lahage said noting that Friday, Aug. 27 will feature a great lesson in wine making.

“We’ll get to taste some absolutely fabulous wines,” she said, explaining that representatives from Connecticut’s Jonathan Edwards Winery would be on hand to sponsor both a complimentary tasting and wine and roses tour.

Guests, she said, are invited to show up, buy a glass of wine, and enjoy some complimentary appetizers.

Fair tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Children 6 and under are free. Seniors, 65 and older get in free on Tuesday, Aug. 24, and children 12 and under get in free on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Advance tickets are available at the administration office until Aug. 19 or by calling (781) 834-6629.