In recent news from Cumberland, Maine, the Fryeburg Fair is set to start a day earlier this year, overlapping with the Cumberland Fair, which has become a contentious topic sparking debates around fairness. This scheduling change has raised concerns from the Cumberland Fair organizers, who feel the decision could threaten their event’s success.
According to Liz Tarantino from the Cumberland Fair, Fryeburg Fair’s earlier start could be financially motivated, potentially at Cumberland’s expense. The overlapping day is historically the largest and most profitable for the Cumberland Fair. Despite objections, Fryeburg plans to operate unlicensed on that Saturday, meaning they won’t receive state funds for that day.
The Maine Department of Agriculture has highlighted that without documented evidence of harm to another fair, there’s no legal basis for intervening in Fryeburg’s scheduling. This situation has forced shared vendors to make a choice between the two fairs, leading over a dozen to side with Fryeburg, which is the larger fair. Consequently, Cumberland faced the challenge of replacing these vendors, as about 30% of their revenue relies on food and merchandise sales.
Cumberland Fair officials, however, have remained resilient and proactive in addressing the issue. With substantial effort over the past months, they’ve successfully filled the gaps left by departing vendors. Tarantino expressed confidence, stating that the fair will continue to be one of the best events in Maine, and that these obstacles have strengthened their resolve for future success.
Dave Hastings, the President of Fryeburg Fair, responded by explaining that the changes aim to optimize weekend dates for economic benefits across Maine fairs. He emphasized that vendors can still participate in both events with some necessary adjustments and that similar scheduling overlaps are common among Maine’s fairs.
In conclusion, while the overlap has created challenges, both fairs have taken steps to ensure their continued success. Organizers remain committed to providing enjoyable experiences for attendees and upholding their longstanding traditions.