Durham Fair

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For the coal mining festival held in County Durham, England, see Durham Miners' Gala.

The Durham Fair, held in Durham, Connecticut, is one of the largest agricultural fairs in New England, and was first held in 1916. The three-day event takes place during the last full weekend of September. Events include livestock and competitive exhibits, pulling contests, craft and commercial tents, various forms of entertainment, and a carnival midway. The fairgrounds include both permanent buildings for commercial and agricultural exhibits, and space for tents and other non-permanent structures to be brought in each year. Past entertainers on the main stage have included George Jones, SHeDAISY, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, and Phil Vassar.

The Durham Fair is staffed entirely by volunteers; in fact, it is the largest fair in North America without paid management or staff. In addition to the members of the Durham Agricultural Fair Association and other volunteers, local organizations such as schools, churches, clubs, civic groups, and more, participate in the fair to help raise funds for their organizations.

[edit] Pulling contests

Pulling contests are events that involve the use of oxen, draft horses, and tractors to pull concrete weights to determine the best contestant in each event. They are well received as a show of strength between farmers who believe that their oxen, horses, or tractors are the strongest in terms of pulling weight. A full pull is very desirable. Monetary awards are rewarded for all competitors.