History: The first fair in Union took place in October 1869. Except for 1943, 1944, and 2020, the fair has taken place every year since. An association was formed from 5 small rural towns; Appleton, Hope, Union, Warren, and Washington, and the location of the fair was rotated between the towns. It has always been primarily an agricultural fair and agriculture still plays a large part. The fair continued to expand to include food and games of chance. By 1886, it was decided to hold all future fairs in Union. In 1959, Union initiated the Maine Wild Blueberry Festival during the time the fair was held and when blueberries were being harvested. 1961 saw the crowning of the first Blueberry Queen. The fair continues to grow and thrive to the present day.
Month Held: The Union Fair is held in late July, usually the last week from Wednesday to Sunday.
Attractions: Some of the events include the horse pull, a berry pie baking contest, King Arthur Wild Blueberry Coffee Cake Contest, a Moxie chugging contest, steer and oxen scooting, lots of 4-H shows, a sheep show, a cribbage tournament, and Read Aloud provided by the Vose Library. Friday is Maine Wild Blueberry Day and Saturday is Children's Day. The Maine Wild Blueberry Pie judging is a popular event. They also offer steer, ox, goat, and poultry shows, ox and steer pulls, Tuff Truck competition, fireworks, the crowning of the Blueberry Queen, demolition derby, live entertainment, exhibition hall, lawn mower racing, The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage and the Moxie soft drink wing. The usual carnival rides and lots of delicious fair food round out the attractions.
Admission: The full admission price is $20 and includes an all-access bracelet to let you on all the rides. All-access lets you into all the other Union Fair events as well and includes free parking. Admission is free for those under 26 inches since they are not allowed on the rides. Discounts are available on certain days and times but the discounted rate does not include rides. Veterans get in free on Thursday, but rides are not included. Thursday is also Seniors Day (age 62 and up) and entrance with no rides is $10.
Parking: Parking is free with an all-access entrance pass. It is located on the Fairgrounds.
