The Harmony Labor Day Free Fair is presented by the Harmony Patriarchs Club each year during Labor Day weekend. The Patriarchs Club began in 1947 when people recognized the need for a local school gym. In 1948, as a fundraising effort, club members began a Labor Day Fair. After three years the money for the new gym was raised and after the completion of the gym, the Fair became an annual tradition.
The 2008 Harmony Labor Day Free Fair marks the festival’s 61st anniversary. Much has changed since the Fair started but, one thing remains the same – as it was in 1948, and still is today, the fair has no admission fee and no parking fees. The Fair starts on Friday, August 29th and runs through Monday, September 1st at the Patriarchs Club Fairgrounds in Harmony. As usual, it will be a fun filled weekend for the entire family, with ride bracelets for the midway available everyday ($5 bracelets on Friday; $10 bracelets Saturday – Monday).
According to fair organizers, this year’s event promises to be even more exciting than ever, with new events added and old favorites returning. Spectators will enjoy on going exhibits and demonstrations such as: the animal barn, oxen teams, old farm machinery operation, the Thrasher, and portable sawmill operation. Through reenactments, a living history group will show how life used to be in Maine. Visit the new Fiber Tent to learn how sheep, llama, and rabbit fibers are turned into clothing. Watch leather carving demonstrations and see just how much goes into making leather accessories. Antique engines and tractors will be on display throughout the weekend and antique cars will join in on Monday. The Exhibition Tent is always full of fun and interesting displays as well and free live music will keep you tapping your toes all weekend.
The fair wraps up on Monday night at 7 PM with the Big Raffle, a grand prize drawing for a Husqvarna 450 chainsaw. Other raffle items include an area rug; wool blanket; Aladdin lamp; fudge; fleece blanket; gift certificates for pizza, books, paint, flooring, wreaths, and groceries; a DeLorme atlas; dragway and pool passes; and approximately 50 other prizes donated by area individuals, businesses and clubs. Raffle tickets are available during the Fair or from any Patriarchs Club member prior to the fair. You do not have to be present to win.
The Harmony Patriarchs Club continues to hold the Harmony Free Fair each year to allow the Club to continue its mission of community betterment. Since its inception, this charitable, nonprofit, all volunteer organization has donated funds to many worthy community causes. Over the years, the Club has contributed monies toward the purchase of the Town’s first fire truck, construction of the Recreation Park, and the acquisition of Harmony’s first and second ambulances.
Today, the Patriarchs Club strives to meet its mission of community betterment through awarding scholarships for higher education and donating to other worthy causes. Purchasing all the instruments to initiate a music program at Harmony Elementary School, sponsoring the Early Birds pre-school program, co-sponsoring the Birthday Books program and contributing toward the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for the Harmony Fire Department are a few of the causes members have helped support. The Club also provided the funds to create a children’s area in the Christy Kerr Memorial Library in Harmony and serves as both sponsor and community partner for Girl Scouts of Maine Troop 872. Finally, the Club sponsors the Harmony Free Fair, which remains the only free agricultural fair in the state.
As always, the Patriarchs Club and the community groups represented at the Fair appreciate you sharing in the fun, renewing friendships, learning new things and being entertained by real people, doing real Maine things. For more information about the Patriarchs Club, the Fair, or any of the events, contact Jeff Chadbourne at 683-5873, or visit the web site at www.harmonyfreefair.org. |