Essex Co. Fair returns with updates to grounds

WESTPORT | The Essex County Fairgrounds has had some recent updates, just in time for the Essex County Fair, Aug. 16-20. The biggest upgrade was they redid the entire public address (PA) system throughout the fairgrounds, stage and grandstand area. Also, the fair office moved into a new building, the one closest to the main entrance. "It's easier access for people if they need us from the main gate," Becky Provost, vice president of the fair, said. She and Dennie Westover remember when they were children and people could walk up and buy their tickets through the three small front windows of the building. "It's exciting to be back here where it was when I was a kid," Westover said. The fair also has a brand-new sign that went up on Aug. 5. There is another new sign, to display sponsors. The fair will have many new vendors this year, as well as the usual displays from farms, maple producers and 4-H. There will be two new shows this year, The Flying Cortes and Dynamo Dogs. The Flying Cortes is a family of aerialists who has performed in circuses like the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Big Apple Circus and Circus Flora. The Dynamo Dogs are a group of agile canines that perform flips, tricks and more in their variety show. Both performances will take place daily. Another new attraction this year is local amateur wrestling, PAC Wrestling. This will be the first time there has been wrestling on the fairgrounds. There will also be classic Essex County Fair events like the mullet contest, arm wrestling and tractor pulls. Every day of the fair, backpacks and bicycles will be given away to children under the age of 16. The bikes were donated by different businesses. The backpacks were donated by Berkshire Farms. The backpacks are also filled with school supplies, all donated by fair volunteers. The Sugarhouse will be in full swing this year with cotton candy, maple milkshakes and soft maple ice cream. The fair dedication will be announced at the opening ceremony Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. The theme this year is "Country Hoedown at the County Fair." For more information, visit https://www.essexcountyfair.org/.

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Essex Co. Fair returns with updates to grounds

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