UNITY — Say you “went to the fair” over the weekend, and chances are, anyone in Maine will have known you meant the Common Ground Fair, one of the state’s most popular agricultural and gardening gathering of the year.

This year was no exception to its draw, and record-breaking crowds arrived throughout the weekend, Sept. 25-27.

On Saturday — more than 27,000 fair-goers sauntered through Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s well-organized fairgrounds in Unity.

Glorious blue skies and a warm sun lent to the festivities and good cheer. Horses pranced through their shows and the sheep-herding dogs happily moved through their own paces.

In the tents, the merchandise was moving, and music was nonstop at various points on the fairgrounds. Of course, everyone ate, and ate. And the aroma of Sweet Annie spread, as fairgoers passed through the farmers’ markets, purchasing those bouquets of grass that mean one thing: the September Common Ground Fair.

The 2015 attendance at the Common Ground Country Fair is now pegged at 65,098, beating MOFGA’s old record of 63,330 in 2007. Saturday's record attendance of 27,676 beat MOFGA’s old record of 27,585 in 2013.

On Friday, Sept. 25, 3,311 students and chaperons attended the fair.

The Common Kitchen's Saturday supper served 940 meals. The previous high had been 800.

Vendors reported a good year and the Country Store was the busiest ever, according to MOFGA.

The nonprofit MOFGA formed in 1971, and is now considered the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country, the nonprofit said. Its mission is to help farmers and gardeners grow organic food, fiber and other crops; protect the environment; recycle natural resources; increase local food production; support rural communities; and illuminate the connection between healthy food and environmentally sound farming practices.

MOFGA helds the first Common Ground Country Fair at the Litchfield Fairgrounds in 1977, and it was considered a "harvest celebration."

“Approximately 10,000 people came from Maine and beyond,” according to MOFGA. “By 1981, the Fair had outgrown Litchfield, so MOFGA began renting the Windsor Fairgrounds, where the fair-going crowd eventually grew to more than 50,000 visitors.”

In 1996, MOFGA founds its permanent home in Unity, with the purchase of more than 200 acres of fields and forest.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced four grants to Maine organizations to  help grow the rural and agricultural economy in the state. MOFGA was among the recipients, receiving $98,950.

That money is to be used to assist with organic grower business consultation services, organic farming workshops and professional training, and third-party loans for non-production purposes from an organic farmers’ revolving loan fund. The project has the potential to create 50 jobs.   

Other grants were distributed to:

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments - $89,000.  Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Maine Grains oat project.

The project will consist of acquiring and installing oat-dehulling and related equipment and mechanical work, along with testing, package design, web consultation for online marketing, and project management. The project has the potential to create 21 jobs.

Northern Maine Development Commission - $62,050.  Rural Development funds will be used to help develop marketing strategies and improve distribution channels throughout the Great Region Diversified Agricultural Community of Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties.

The project has the potential to create 38 jobs.

Aroostook Aspiration Initiative - $25,000.  Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Internship Hub of Aroostook program.

The project will conduct leadership training for prospective adult, rural entrepreneurs and managers, while establishing and developing rural learning programs that provide job training instruction related to potential employment and job advancement for adult students.

The project has the potential over the next three years to create 75 jobs.

MOFGA is looking for more help with fair cleanup. Head up to Unity Oct. 3 or 4 to clean up the grounds and enjoy another weekend of great company.

There are tables and benches to put back in storage, signs to organize and more. There will be lunch and some raffle prizes, too. Email volunteers@mofga.org to sign up or for more information.

According to MOFGA and the Gulf of Maine Books, the bestselling books are the fair were:

#1 - Altered Genes, Twisted Truth

Forest Trees of Maine

Laudato Si (the first time the Pope has made the list)

Coastal Access Guide - Midcoast Maine

Will Bonsall's Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening

Coastal Access Guide Downeast

Braiding Sweetgrass

Saving Simon

Gathering Moss

Wild Plants of Maine

Foraging New England

Northern Farm

We'Moon Calendar