It’s Called The Common Ground, But It’s Not A Typical Fair

This weekend's Common Ground Fair is not the typical Maine event, with a focus on sustainability, rather than cheap thrills.

When most of us think of a fair, we imagine flashing lights on carnival rides, the smell of greasy food, and the call of barkers who want you to play their challenging games. But that's not what you're going to find at the Common Ground Country Fair. It's one of my favorite places, because of the emphasis on agriculture and local craftsmen. I could spend hours walking through the marketplace, where you can find anything from handmade pottery to stained glass art, jewelry, or specialty honeys.

A day at the fair could include a class on how to make cinnamon rolls over a campfire or how to direct where a tree falls when you cut it down. There will be information about sustainability, homesteading, and agriculture. You could build a fairy house or learn the art of spinning. These are just a very few of the many activities and information opportunities at the fair, that will run Friday through Sunday at Unity Fairgrounds.

Presented by the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (MOFGA), a complete schedule of events can be found on their website. Wear your comfortable shoes and plan to do some walking outside, this weekend, in Unity. And don't miss the food vendors, who could be offering everything from organic hummus to absolutely delicious lamb kabobs.