Fairgrounds Busy With Activity As Bethlehem Prepares For Annual Return Of Three-Day Event

BETHLEHEM — The 87th Bethlehem Fair will be held at the town’s fairgrounds the weekend of Friday through Sunday, September 9-11. 

The fairgrounds are at 384 Main Street North (Route 61). Admission is $8 for adults, free for ages 12 and under free. Senior citizen admission on Saturday and Sunday is $6, and a weekend/season pass is $16. Visa and MasterCard is accepted for admission, and parking is free.

Gates open on Friday at 5 pm, and the fair runs until 10 pm. Attendees will enjoy Cruise Night with a 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s car show, along with music by the Sound Soul Revue at the main stage at 7:30 pm, and a pony draw. Friday is also bracelet night, where those who purchase bracelets will be able to enjoy unlimited amusement rides all night for one price.

On Saturday, the fair will run from 8 am to 11 pm.  Enjoy the Root Six Band at 5 pm and E-2 An Eagles Experience at 8:30 pm, both at the main stage. Additional events on Saturday include Junior Dairy show, oxen draw, antique tractor pull, music by CT Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers, wood chopping and sawing contests, farmer’s night out contests (woman’s skillet throwing, back seat driver, three-legged race, barnyard friends), baked goods, canned goods, and quilting.

For the kids, Saturday’s entertainment will include Larry Hunt’s Masque Man at the north stage, Dimples The Clown, and the USA Martial Arts Demo.

At 5 pm the fair will host the New England Fried Dough Eating Contest which has an entry fee of $20 with prizes of $1000, $300, and $200.

Sunday’s hours are 8 am until 5 pm. The Instigators will be performing on the main stage, there will be Hollerin’ Contests for men, women and children, Agri-Olympics contests (cow milking, hay bale throwing, farm chores, egg toss), wood chopping contests, horse draw, horse show and Gymkhana, Junior beef cattle show, and stock garden tractor pull.

Children’s events will include a pedal tractor pull, another hollerin’ contest, and another performance by Larry Hunt’s Masque Man. 

Exhibition halls will be open all weekend, showing the adult and children’s blue ribbon winners for baked goods, vegetables, canning, hobbies, and more, a scarecrow display, giant pumpkins, and much, much more.

Visit www.BethlehemFair.com for a complete schedule of events, or contact Barbara Parmelee at 203-266-5350.