State hearing examines Fryeburg plan to open unlicensed Saturday that would overlap Cumberland Fair

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) accepted testimony April 1 on license applications for agricultural fair dates through 2029, including objections from Cumberland Fair leaders who say Fryeburg Fair plans to operate an unlicensed opening Saturday that would overlap Cumberland’s historically protected final day.

The hearing, held in Deering and conducted by Craig LePine, director of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and acting hearing officer, followed notice and application procedures under Maine law (Title 7) and DACF rules. DACF staff said written public comment will be accepted through April 10 at noon; the commissioner expects to issue a written decision by May 15.

Why it matters: Several Cumberland Fair officials, volunteers and vendors told the hearing that an unapproved Fryeburg opening day would draw away weekend attendees, midways and small vendors and undercut Cumberland’s largest gate day and long‑running 4‑H events. Fryeburg Fair representatives said the extra Saturday is intended to support midway operators and ensure the viability of ride and vendor partners.

At the hearing, Dave Hastings, identified as president of the Fryeburg Fair, said the fair plans to "operate without seeking a license for that opening Saturday" and argued weekend days are critical to keep midway operators and vendors financially viable. "If our midways disappear, the health of our fairs will suffer greatly," Hastings said, describing a national decline in midway operators and saying Fryeburg intends to offer a "full fair" program on that opening Saturday, including exhibitions and competitions.

Cumberland leaders pushed back. Ted Goggins, president of the Cumberland Fair, told the hearing: "Our historic dates of Cumberland Fair would wish they be protected and not be imposed by any other fairs." Elizabeth Tarantino, secretary of the Cumberland Farmers Club and Cumberland Fair, said Fryeburg had not applied through the DACF date‑change process for the contested Saturday and urged the department to prevent an unapproved day that she said would "destroy" longstanding cooperation between Maine fairs.

Multiple Cumberland exhibitors and volunteers described practical impacts they expect if Fryeburg opens the extra Saturday. Tammy Sawyer, superintendent of horse and ox pulling for the Cumberland Fair and a Cumberland Farmers Club board member, said Cumberland’s Saturday is traditionally its biggest gate day and that teams, exhibitors and organizers rely on that schedule. "Two thirds of our Teamsters do go to Fryeburg to close out the year of pull in Maine fairs," Sawyer said, but added that the overlap would force difficult choices for competitors and increase logistical strain.

Jen Grant, a 4‑H leader in Cumberland County, told the hearing her 4‑H beef and dairy programs and the county’s 4‑H kitchen rely on Cumberland’s Saturday attendance. "Our beef show is held on Thursday ... our 4‑H dairy show is held on Saturday," Grant said. "With the Fryeburg opening day on Saturday, our participation will decrease." Vendors and commercial‑exhibit superintendents warned the overlap would create setup, inventory and staffing conflicts for small businesses that rely on fair weekends.

Cumberland vice president and treasurer Jeff Steinman detailed past communications with Fryeburg and said Cumberland had been told by Fryeburg organizers that the extra day would be a carnival or rain day; he said more recent statements indicated a full agricultural fair day. "It was very bold to actually forego requesting an additional date going through the hearing process because it exempts them from either an approval or denial of that day they want to run," Steinman said.

Fryeburg leaders said they would coordinate with exhibitors and vendors and try to avoid harming Cumberland exhibitors. Hastings said Fryeburg had advised livestock exhibitors and vendors to remain at Cumberland until Cumberland closes and that Fryeburg would accommodate arrivals afterward; he acknowledged the overlap has generated controversy but said the aim is to preserve midways and vendor partners.

Director LePine framed the proceeding as fact‑gathering under Maine statutes (Title 7, sections referenced at the hearing) and DACF chapters 11–12 rules governing award of dates and licensing. Kayla Jones presented DACF’s summary of application packets, notice steps and reported attendance and premium payout figures for the 25 applicants. Those application summaries — which DACF staff read into the record — listed applied dates, evaluation ratings, historical attendance and premium payments for each fair and noted geographic overlaps among fairs' proposed dates.

No commissioner decision was made at the hearing. LePine closed the record and reminded attendees that written testimony must be received by DACF by noon on April 10 at meagfairs@maine.gov; he said the commissioner will deliberate and prepare a written decision on or before May 15.

The hearing included testimony from multiple Cumberland Fair officers, 4‑H leaders, vendors and Fryeburg representatives. Several speakers recommended DACF consider protections for historically held dates and urged clearer processes to prevent last‑minute, unapproved schedule changes.

Looking forward: DACF will accept written comments through April 10; the commissioner’s written determination — whether to approve, deny or conditionally allow any applied dates, including any decision about the contested Saturday — is expected by May 15.