Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 6 : Fall 2010 | Page 31

unloading and setting up the midway, so by Monday
morning everything was ready for the grand opening of
the big event. Everybody could hardly wait to see if there
were any new rides this year.

The fairgrounds weren’t paved in those days, so
big stakes were driven into the ground to support the
rides, especially tall ones like the Ferris wheel and the
Zipper. World of Mirth brought its own generators for
electricity and those large self-contained motors roared
and smelled of diesel in many locations throughout the
midway. People’s conversations were halted when walking
by them, so most of us avoided going near them to ease
the aggravation of the noise and smell.

Local farmers (and there were many in those days)
brought their animals and latest equipment in for display,
and 4-H Club members scurried around grooming their
animals and displays for competition. I always liked
to visit the exhibitions by county grange members and
extension groups. They displayed their handiwork for
public admiration and competition – everything from
flowers and vegetables to quilts, blankets, and doilies.

I’m sure they were proud to take home a ribbon or two
for their efforts.

Large cone-shaped speakers were attached to
the flag-adorned grandstand, and announcements were
continually blasted away about upcoming events and
attractions. Harness racing was held every afternoon,
bringing in lots of racing fans anxious to put their money
down on their favorite horses. My dad loved to wager on
the races and often celebrated as a happy winner (that is
after delivering all his bread products of course).

We didn’t worry back in those days about
pedophiles, kidnappers and all those scary things, so Dad
trusted me enough to drop me off when he reached the
fairgrounds and allowed me to wander around by myself
while he was delivering bread products. Some of the dirty
and greasy-looking carnies were so scary-looking, that
people kept their distance from them as much as possible
anyway. In case of emergency though, I always knew
where Dad parked his truck.

The midway contained many sideshows – always
a couple of girly shows, a House of Mirrors (I was afraid
FALL 2010 Fair is Fair 29