The Magic of New England Fairs

There’s a certain moment—somewhere between the first whiff of fried dough and the glow of the Ferris wheel at dusk—when you know: fair season is here. Across New England, late summer tilts into fall with parades of plaid shirts, blue ribbons, and midway lights. It’s nostalgic without trying, joyful without effort, and somehow both loud (hello, tractor pull) and peaceful (evening stroll past the barns) all at once.

Why we love it

From the classic carousel to the tilt-a-whirl and the big wheel, these are the same rides we begged for as kids—and they’re still magic. The view from the top at sunset? Peak New England.

The food. This is where “once a year” treats live: pillowy fried dough dusted with sugar, apple-cider donuts still warm, grilled corn, kettle corn snapping fresh, maple everything (creemees for the Vermonters), chowder in a bread bowl, and maybe a lobster roll if you’re near the coast. Come hungry; leave happy.

The traditions. 4-H barns with soft-nosed calves, sheep shearing demos, draft horse hitches, ox pulls, and tractors that look older than half the crowd. Inside the exhibit halls: pies, quilts, jams, and those proud blue ribbons that say “someone’s best.” Don’t skip the giant pumpkins—there’s always one that looks like a small car.

The games & music. Try your luck on the midway (win or lose, the banter’s half the fun) and then wander toward live fiddle tunes, local bands, and impromptu dancing on a plywood floor. Community at its friendliest.

A simple game plan for your fair day

• Go early, stay late. Mornings for barns and exhibits; golden hour for rides and photos; evenings for lights and live music.

• Bring the basics. Cash for small vendors, a reusable water bottle, hand wipes, and a light layer—New England nights love a breeze.

• Share the plate. Split the big-ticket snacks so you can sample more (teamwork = more donuts).

• Make it a memory. Snap a photo on the Ferris wheel, grab a ribbon-worthy pie to take home, and jot your favorite bite of the day.

Where to go next

You’ve already got the list of fairs—perfect. Use it to map your season: one nearby weeknight for a quick donut-and-rides fix, one weekend “big day,” and maybe a foliage-season finale to close it out.

If you go, send us a favorite photo or two (bonus points for fair food smiles or blue-ribbon pride). We’ll feature community moments in an upcoming issue.

See you under the lights—meet me by the fried dough stand. 🍩🎡🍁

Below are the remaining 2025 CT fairs for the rest of the year. Mark your calendar and rally the crew:

• Aug 28–Sept 1 — Woodstock Fair (Woodstock)

• Aug 29–Sept 1 — Haddam Neck Fair (East Hampton)

• Aug 30–Sept 1 — Goshen Fair (Goshen)

• Sept 4–7 — Hebron Harvest Fair (Hebron)

• Sept 4–7 — North Haven Fair (North Haven)

• Sept 4–7 — Wapping Fair (South Windsor)

• Sept 5–7 — Bethlehem Fair (Bethlehem)

• Sept 6 — Granby Grange Agricultural Fair (Granby)

• Sept 7 — Norfield Grange Fair & Market (Weston)

• Sept 11–14 — Four Town Fair (Somers)

• Sept 11–14 — Berlin Lions Agricultural Fair (Berlin)

• Sept 13 — Hillstown Grange Agricultural Fair (East Hartford)

• Sept 13 — Wallingford Grange Fair (Wallingford)

• Sept 19–21 — Guilford Fair (Guilford)

• Sept 20–21 — Orange Country Fair (Orange)

• Sept 25–28 — Durham Fair (Durham)

• Oct 3–5 — Harwinton Fair (Harwinton)

• Oct 3–5 — Portland Fair (Portland)

• Oct 10–12 — Riverton Fair (Riverton)  

Bonus for fair fanatics: The Big E runs Sept 12–28 just over the line in West Springfield, MA—multi-state flavor, same fair-day thrills. 

Pro tip: arrive hungry, bring cash for games, and plan a twilight spin on the Ferris wheel—there’s nothing like watching September sunsets pour over the barns and midway lights. See you in the fried-dough line.