Department hearing on Fryeburg Fair date change draws sharp debate over vendor and attendance impacts

A state hearing on Jan. 28, 2026, at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (D A C F) examined a petition by the Fryeburg Fair to change its licensed fair dates to add an opening Saturday for 2026 through 2029. Deputy Commissioner Nancy McBrady presided and framed the proceeding under Title 7, sections 82—4 and rule chapters 11 and 12. The hearing record will inform a written decision due on or before Feb. 20, 2026; written public comment remains open through Feb. 9, 2026.

Why it mattered: Fryeburg's operator said adding a Saturday would let fairs serve more weekend visitors, boost vendor revenue and expand agricultural outreach; opponents from the Cumberland Farmers Club and Cumberland Fair said Fryeburg's unlicensed early opening in 2025 produced measurable harm to Cumberland's attendance, vendors and behind-the-scenes logistics. The dispute centers on how the rule factors (traditional dates, economic damage from competition, geographic proximity and operational difficulties) apply to overlapping fairs separated by roughly one hour by road.

What proponents said: David Hastings, president of the West Oxford Agricultural Society, which operates the Fryeburg Fair, said Fryeburg routinely draws a regional crowd that includes many visitors from New Hampshire and that Saturday is historically…