Welcome to the Children's Area of the Common Ground Country Fair!

Often referred to as "The Fair Within The Fair," the Children's Area is an absolutely wonderful, exciting, funfilled, and educational venue, offering endless activities and entertainment -- all for free! Many families come to Common Ground and spend the better part of their days playing and learning in the Children's Area. Here are some brief descriptions of the programs in this haven for children of all ages:

Vegetable Garden Parade
Dress in costume as a vegetable, fruit, herb or beneficial animal or insect. Shake the rattles, bang the drum and blow the horn to let everyone know that the Garden Parade has begun! The Parade starts daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., so please arrive 15 minutes early to dress in costume. Costumes and noisemakers are available for kids ages 1 to 100.

Sunflower Stage
Storytelling, music, dance, magic, mime, comedy, and, of course, audience participation. See performances by Maine's finest entertainers.

Maine Apple Adventures
The Maine Apple Tent (MAT) offers many opportunities for children to learn about, taste, weigh, measure, cook with and enjoy Maine apples. There are lots of activities and games relating to the life cycle, history and nutritional benefits of apples. Children (in grades K-8) and their families are invited on Saturday and Sunday to investigate one of Maine's most delicious and important orchard crops in a series of Fair activities entitled Maine Apple Adventures. An "Apple Adventure Passport" challenges children to explore other areas of the Fair, to learn about the many types of Maine apples, how they're grown and how they benefit human health.

Apple Pie Contest
The Common Ground Country Fair Exhibition Hall hosts an apple pie contest for children. Any school age child (or preschool age child) who arrives at the ticket gate on Saturday morning with an apple pie in hand will get in free providing he or she created the pie and is accompanied by a paying adult. Entries must be in the Exhibition Hall and registered by noon on Saturday. Competitors must use ingredients that comply with the Common Ground Country Fair food guidelines. Judging is at 1 p.m.

Thresh Grain
Learn the ancient task of threshing. Using raw materials, practice several methods to separate and clean grains.

Need More To Do?
How about: face painting, jumping in the haystack, mural painting, log nailing or clay play?

Donations Sought for Children’s Area
The Children’s Area needs donations of art and craft supplies. Please consider donating any of the supplies listed below, or contact MOFGA at 207-568-4142 and make a direct financial donation to support our area. Thank you!

Non-toxic and/or tempera paints, artists’ brushes, clay, paper rolls, glue, beads, buttons, string, thread, wool, dry grains (corn, beans), rubber stamps, ink, pencils, scissors, staplers, tape (scotch, masking, duct), dowels, knobs, wooden bits and anything else you come across that is natural, nontoxic and fun. Drop off supplies throughout the year at the MOFGA Office or contact cgcf@mofga.org to arrange for delivery.