News

On common ground

Locals travel to Unity for fair, nature

By Riley Donovan and Christie Zawacki

Posted on Sept. 26, 2005, at 12:00 a.m.

sarah bigney

DANCE - 'Celebrating Rural Living,' the theme of the fair, means many things to many folks. The weekend event included food, farmers´ markets, crafts, energy workshops, music and dancing.

sarah bigney

SPIN - Susan Barrett Merrill, left, of Brooksville, and Susanne Grosjean of Franklin, are two of the 'Wednesday Spinners,' who have been meeting for 30 years. They were two of hundreds of crafters and artists showcased at the Common Ground Fair.

sarah bigney

SWIRL - Mid- afternoon Sunday, the crowd at the fair stopped to watch a cloud configuration above MOFGA´s 29th annual fair. MOFGA is the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener´s Assocation that hosts the celebration of rural living.

sarah bigney

REST - Alex, left, of Minnesota, and Leoroy, of Rhode Island, get a birds-eye view of the Common Ground Fair from the top of the Frida Bus. The bus, parked in the center of the festival all weekend runs on biodiesel and is a traveling community space with

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener’s Association has put on the Common Ground Fair for the past 29 years.

The fair was held this past weekend in Unity. People came from all over to try organic foods and enjoy the rural fall farm scene of Maine.

While parking is difficult at the event, fairgoers can take a tractor from their car to the entrance gates, taking in the beginning sights of Maine’s fall foliage season along the way.

Every type of organic food imaginable at the Common Ground Fair was a treat for all who attended. Those who were there tried everything from Korean and Greek foods to home-grown vegetables.

One sight to see was a solar-powered bus sponsored by “The Juice Joint,” a store in Unity that offered a variety of unique drinks, including apple cider and fresh organic smoothies.

“The solar juice stand really brings you and the earth together,” said Anne Barrett, a marine science major at the University of Maine. “My favorite drink there is called blood. It is made with apples, beets, ginger and lime all pulverized in a juicer. ”

Many UMaine students attended the event as well as students from other area high schools and colleges.

“It was fun,” said Barrett. “It is really great to learn about farming and agriculture in Maine. It has a different feeling from other fairs. The emphasis is not in carnival rides but education and awareness for the earth.”

Barrett said she has been going to the fair for years. She also said that in past years, she has volunteered at some of the children’s exhibits.

There was a wide age range of people at the fair. The young and the old came together to celebrate organic foods. Those who were not into the organic side of things still enjoyed themselves. There were plenty of events, including live music and games to entertain the crowd.

Country music dominated the music scene at the occasion. Those who wanted to avoid the music simply grabbed a cup of hot chai, cocoa or steaming apple cider, and laid down on the grass to gaze at the starry New England sky.

Predominately farm country, Unity made for a perfect fall fair setting, according to fairgoers. The booths at the fair included everything from wood chopping, clothing and jewelry, to homemade quilts.

One of the favorite attractions of fairgoers was the livestock, which included llamas, goats, mules and pigs, among other farm creatures.

“There were the usual fair animals like poultry and sheep,” said Barrett, “but there were also more exotic animals like highland cows and alpacas. It is really interesting to see people still making a living from drafting horse teams.”

Barrett also said the fair was more organized than in the past. “Since moving the grounds to Unity, MOFGA has still been trying to even out all the glitches,” she said.

Campus Currents: Common Ground Fair