There is a core group of about 25 volunteers that meets monthly to plan the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for the fair."Volunteerism is the biggest thing that makes the fair happen," said Deanne Merrill, secretary of the Piscataquis Valley Fair Association. "It's not a paid fair, as far as the people in the PVFA go – the people who work nights and weekends, especially over the summer before the fair. If we added up all the hours that people volunteer, it would be staggering. The labor…if we had to pay it out, we wouldn't be able to afford it."

According to Merrill, the fair used to move around from town to town. The first fair took place in Guilford in 1840. In 1853, the Piscataquis County Central Agricultural and Horticultural Society was incorporated. In 1924, the event moved to the current fairgrounds, and in 1927 the group was renamed the Piscataquis Valley Fair Association.

"We've been growing ever since," Merrill said. Last year a new ice cream parlor was added to the fairgrounds. "That was a Godsend. This year we're building a new permanent stage down where the stage usually is." In years past, flatbed trucks had to haul in a temporary stage constructed and dismantled by PVFA volunteers. In fact, it is the PVFA, with some assistance from 4-H and the Dover-Foxcroft Area Kiwanis that maintains all of the grounds and buildings. It is also the PVFA that sets the program for all of the events, lines up the entertainment, negotiates with the midway company, and arranges all the minute details that make the event run smoothly.

In September, the PVFA meets to discuss anything members noticed needs improvement before the next fair, any issues that must be addressed and any new ideas. In October, the group meets to elect officers. There is no November meeting, but by December, the PVFA is planning the next year's fair.

"In January a few of us go to Portland for the state convention and learn new things there," Merrill said. Meetings are monthly after that. "There are always things to improve on and get ready. It seems as though the last few months, June, July and August, just fly by."

In addition to organizing the overall event, the PVFA operates the ice cream parlor, a food booth, the fair office and runs the Sunday chicken barbeque. Proceeds from the fair go, in part, toward scholarships for high school students from school districts in Milo, Dover-Foxcroft, Corinth, Guilford, Dexter and Greenville.

The 122nd Piscataquis Valley Fair will run from August 27 to 30. The gates open at 6 a.m. each day; Smokey's Greater Shows midway attractions open at 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone needs to pay the gate fee; a bracelet for rides will be available all four days for a separate fee. Friday is Senior Citizens Day.

Long-standing fair traditions remain: Thursday night fireworks; the Sunday Chicken BBQ; horse pulling; tractor pulls; the skillet toss; the peddle tractor pull; the pig scramble; and a drawing for a free bicycle every day. There will be an Infinity Farm horse show on Saturday, and on Sunday the National Barrel Horse Association will put on barrel racing. There will be a magic and balloon show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. An old favorite, the horseshoe tournament, has been brought back this year for Saturday and Sunday, as well.

David Mallett will perform on Thursday; Dead Season will be in concert on Friday; on Saturday night entertainment will be provided by Roy Hudson and the Déjà Blue Band. There's a Tuff Truck Contest on Friday; Saturday's program is loaded with ATV, garden tractor and truck pulls. And on Sunday, there will be a demolition derby.

Anyone interested in joining the PVFA may contact Merrill at 943-2650 or drop by the fair office.

"We're always looking for new, productive members, especially with expertise in any area," she said.

More information about this year's fair schedule may be found at www.piscataquisvalleyfair.com. "This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the SVWeekly.com and is used here with permission."