The Countdown Begins: The 103rd Durham Fair Promises Unforgettable Fun and Entertainment!

Excitement is reaching new heights as the 103rd Durham Fair approaches, scheduled to take place from September 21 to September 24, 2023. This year's fair is set to be an extraordinary experience, with the Main Stage making its highly anticipated return after a three-year hiatus! We are thrilled to have Lauren Alaina, the captivating country sensation, Rick Springfield, the timeless rock legend, and Lee Greenwood, the patriotic powerhouse. Get ready for an unforgettable lineup of performances!

Art Department
Solve the mystery! Look for the clues and earn an Art Detective ribbon.

Cow Palace
4 – 6 PM: Milking Time each day

Discovery Center
Ongoing educational exhibits and demonstrations, located in the south end of the T Barn including: The American Chestnut Foundation, Rockhounds, Xavier/Mercy Robotics, Trout Unlimited, Inc., STEM Experiments & Demonstrations, Master Gardeners Haddam, JC Farm Stand, & Wesleyan Potters

Farm Museum
Ongoing exhibits and demonstrations of early farm life, continuous blacksmith demonstrations. In addition, 3 times daily, pulley-driven antique farm equipment demonstrations, including corn grinders, hay press, lime crusher, corn chopper, wood saw, shingle mill and lunger engine.

Fiber Department
Spinning and weaving demonstrations, along with touch fibers and an educational area for kids
Llama Barn

Kids Place
Ongoing activities include Corn Crib, Bubble Mania, Face-in-Hole photo opportunities and more with prizes all day!

Roaming Acts
Musicians and entertainment acts, any day at any time!

Youth Exhibits
Ongoing activities include a Scavenger Hunt and Learn About Cub Scouts / Scouts BSA / Girl Scouts.

Schedule Of Events

September 21, 2023

Fair Hours: 4 PM – 10 PM

5::00pm: Beth and the Boys: Country & Rock Favorites - Center Stage
5::00pm: Live Wired: '80s Rock - Green Stage
5::00pm: Echoes of Sinatra and Dean: Italian - International Food & Stage
5::00pm: Documentary Screening of Clear Day Thunder, Rescuing the American Chestnut: presented by Florian Carle, The American Chestnut Foundation - Discovery Center
5::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment Demo - South End Farm Museum
6::00pm: Pool Party Pooches - Fun Zone
6:30pm: Kareoke with Mick: Community Kareoke - Beer, Wine & Cider Tasting Tent
7::00pm: Mixed Signals: Groove-oriented Rock and Blues - Center Stage
7::00pm: The Higby Mountain Bluegrass Band - Green Stage
7:30–10pm: Demolition DerbyMotorized Events Area
9::00pm: Fireworks - Above the Fairgrounds

September 22, 2023

Fair Hours: 9 AM – 10 PM

9::00am: Beef Cattle ShowmanshipCow Palace
10::00am: Bob Reynolds: Timeline of Life, Fossil History of the EarthDiscovery Center
10::00am: Magic ShowKids Place
10:30am: Great Hill Mountain Band: Country, Southern & Classic RockCenter Stage
10:30am: Southern Voice Duo: CountryGreen Stage
10–3pm: Sewing Demonstrations from American Sewing GuildNeedlework Building
10–2pm: Children’s Craft ActivityNeedlework Building
11::00am: Ox Pulls (all classes)Pull Ring
11::00am: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
11::00am: James Webb Space Telescope: presented by Carol B. Ivers, Planetarium Director, Department of Geological Sciences, CCSUDiscovery Center
11::00am: Crafting Handmade Gnomes with Amy King-PainterCreative Arts demonstration area
11::00am: Cow Plop BINGOSouth of the Cow Palace Building
11::00am: Music with Susan PeakKids Place
11::00am: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
11:3pm: Quilt of Valor DemonstrationNeedlework Building
11:30am: Prize Winning Maple Bread from Backyard Syrup: presented by Lorrie MartinPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
12::00pm: Asian Performing ArtsInternational Food & Stage
12::00pm: Black Bears of Connecticut: presented by Paul Benjunas, CT DEEPDiscovery Center
12::00pm: Balloon Safari ShowKids Place
12:30pm: Crossover: New Country, Classic RockCenter Stage
12:30pm: The Hosmer Mountain Boys: BluegrassGreen Stage
1::00pm: Meet Your Weeds: presented by Aubree KeurajianPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
1::00pm: Maple Syrup Production in CT: presented by Buster Scranton/Matt Wilkinson, Maple Syrup Producers Association of CTDiscovery Center
1–3pm: Big ColoringKids Place
2::00pm: Games and ContestsKids Place
2::00pm: Fiesta del Norte: Mexican MariachiInternational Food & Stage
2::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
2::00pm: Metal Detecting: presented by John BentonDiscovery Center
2:30pm: The Psychedelic Relic: ‘60s coversCenter Stage
2:45pm: Daily Planet: ’60s / ’70s Rock & SoulGreen Stage
3::00pm: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
3::00pm: Collections Spotlight with Meredith VillwockCreative Arts demonstration area
3::00pm: Invasive Plants: presented by Gail Reynolds, Master GardenerDiscovery Center
3::00pm: Magic ShowKids Place
4::00pm: Lederbrosen: German MusicInternational Food & Stage
4::00pm: Dairy Cattle ShowmanshipCow Palace
4::00pm: Llama ShowsLlama Ring outside of T Barn
4:30pm: Leaf Jumpers: Rock & RollCenter Stage
5::00pm: Aquatudes: ’50s / ’60s Surf & RockabilityGreen Stage
5::00pm: Bunny Hop ContestThe Barnyard
5::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
5:30pm: Jackson Hill: CountryMain Stage
6::00pm: Charlie Diamond: FolkBeer, Wine & Cider Tasting Tent
6:30pm: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
7::00pm: LAUREN ALAINA: CountryMain Stage
7::00pm: Downtown 6: Pop MusicCenter Stage
7::00pm: Souls on Fire: ’70s Soul Horn BandGreen Stage
7:30–10pm: Figure 8 & Demolition DerbyMotorized Events Area

September 23, 2023

Fair Hours: 9 AM – 10 PM

8:30am: Dairy Cattle Open & Junior ShowCow Palace
9-3pm: Antique Tractor PullMotorized Events Area
9::00am: Goat ShowGoat Show Ring
9::00am: Sheep ShowSheep Show Ring
10::00am: Pony Pull (all classes)Pull Ring
10::00am: Rabbits Junior & Senior ShowmanshipThe Barnyard
10::00am: Games and ContestsKids Place
10–3pm: Sewing Demonstrations from American Sewing GuildNeedlework Building
10–2pm: Children’s Craft ActivityNeedlework Building
10:30am: Movements of Dance: Dance DemoCenter Stage
10:30am: Cessa and The Zach: Pop, Folk Acoustic DuoGreen Stage
11::00am: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
11::00am: Plastic pollution in the Ocean Turned into Artwork: presented by Kat Owens, University of HartfordDiscovery Center
11::00am: An Introduction to Weaving with Marsha GravesCreative Arts demonstration area
11::00am: Cow Plop BINGOSouth of the Cow Palace Building
11::00am: Mini Pedal Tractor Pull ContestKids Place
11::00am: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
11–3pm: Quilt of Valor DemonstrationNeedlework Building
12::00pm: The Happy Travelers Orchestra: PolishInternational Food & Stage
12::00pm: Invasive Lionfish: presented by Parker DumontDiscovery Center
12::00pm: Music with Susan PeakKids Place
12:30pm: CRHS: High School Jazz Band & Show ChoirCenter Stage
12:30pm: Dyl P ThreeGreen Stage
1::00pm: Composting—Making Household Waste into Gardener’s Gold: presented by Susan MichaelPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
1::00pm: Dam Removals and Fishways, Reconnecting Diadromous Fish To Their Habitats: presented by Steve GephardDiscovery Center
1–3pm: Big ColoringKids Place
2::00pm: Nosmo Kings Band: IrishInternational Food & Stage
2::00pm: Kahoots Question Competition: presented by Becky Gladych, Bridgeport AquacultureDiscovery Center
2::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
2::00pm: Magic ShowKids Place
2:15pm: New England Music Hall of Fame PresentationCenter Stage
2:30pm: Sister Funk: Rock & Funk FavoritesCenter Stage
2:45pm: Saved by Friday: Rock & RollGreen Stage
3::00pm: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
3::00pm: New England Dive: presented by Gregg Kobrin, Wallingford Scuba Co.Discovery Center
3::00pm: Balloon Safari ShowKids Place
4::00pm: The Hot Club of Black Rock: FrenchInternational Food & Stage
4::00pm: Hunting for Polluters and Ghost Pots in Long Island Sound: presented by Bill Lucey, Soundkeeper at Save the Sound LegalDiscovery Center
4::00pm: Candy Bar BingoKids Place
4:30pm: Stay Tuned: Classic Rock, CountryCenter Stage
5::00pm: Kings of Karma: Rock and CountryGreen Stage
5::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
5::00pm: Bunny Hop ContestThe Barnyard
5::00pm: 3-Horse Pull (all classes)Pull Ring
5:30pm: Blondie & Beyond: Rock TributeMain Stage
6::00pm: Jackson Hill: Acoustic CountryBeer, Wine & Cider Tasting Tent
6–10pm: Truck & SUV PullMotorized Events Area
6:30pm: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
7::00pm: RICK SPRINGFIELD: RockMain Stage
7::00pm: American Honey: Modern Country / RockCenter Stage
7::00pm: The Country TravelersGreen Stage
7::00pm: Battle of the BarnsCow Palace

September 24, 2023

Fair Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM

9:00am: Ecumenical Church ServiceGreen Stage
9:00am: Halter Class Horse PullPull Ring
9:00am: Swine ShowThe Barnyard
9:30am: Fall Apple Pie Cake: presented by Pastry Chef Rachel Palmieri, owner of Palmieri’s Cakes By RachelPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
10:00am: Pair Draft Horse Pull (3125 lbs. or under 15 ft.)Pull Ring
10::00am: Types of Fossils: presented by Bob Reynolds, RockhoundsDiscovery Center
10::00am: Magic ShowKids Place
10-3pm: Sewing Demonstrations from American Sewing GuildNeedlework Building
10:30am: Flip the Tables: RockCenter Stage
10:30am: Brave & Common: Music & ComedyGreen Stage
10:30am: Cow Plop BINGOSouth of the Cow Palace Building
11::00am: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
11::00am: Jukebox 45 Show Band: American OldiesInternational Food & Stage
11::00am: Bunny Hop ContestThe Barnyard
11::00am: How Do We Judge Canning? What is the Danish System? presented by Claudia MillerPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
11::00am: Managing Your Property for Wildlife: presented by Peter Picone, CT DEEPDiscovery Center
11::00am: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
11::00am: Mini Pedal Tractor Pull ContestKids Place
11-3pm: Quilt of Valor DemonstrationNeedlework Building
11:15am: Jason Ingriselli and the Miles North: CountryMain Stage
12 ::00pm: Monster Truck Show Meet and Greet: Meet drivers and get autographs and pictures.Motorized Events Area
12::00pm: Beekeeping: presented by Allan PooleDiscovery Center
12::00pm: Music with Susan PeakKids Place
12:15pm: Veteran's Appreciation CeremonyMain Stage
12:30pm: The Monthei Brothers: CountryCenter Stage
12:30pm: The Engine Room: ’50s, ’60s, ’70s & ’80s RockGreen Stage
1::00pm: LEE GREENWOOD: CountryMain Stage
1::00pm: Power Wheels Demolition DerbyMom's Mini Van Demolition DerbyMotorized Events Area
1::00pm: Pair Draft Horse Pull (3,325 lbs. or under 15 ft.)Pull Ring
1::00pm: Nutmeg Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation: presented by Sherry HarmonDiscovery Center
1:30pm: Collections Spotlight with Cheryl MartoneCreative Arts demonstration area
1–3pm: Big ColoringKids Place
2::00pm: Monster Truck Show: Monster Truck freestyle eventMotorized Events Area
2::00pm: Animal Costume ParadeCow Palace
2::00pm: What are Hops?: Hops in Connecticut and elsewhere, and A History of Breweries in Connecticut: presented by Author & Podcaster Will SissDiscovery Center
2::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum
2::00pm: Games & ContestsKids Place
2:30pm: Al Kostuk: AccordionBeer, Wine & Cider Tasting Tent
2:30pm: 4Ever Foreigner: Foreigner Tribute BandGreen Stage
3::00pm: Sage: Classic Rock, CountryCenter Stage
3::00pm: Pool Party PoochesFun Zone
3::00pm: Pair Draft Horse Pull (over 3,325 lbs. 12 ft.)Pull Ring
3::00pm: Herb Vinegars: Which Vinegars, Flowers and Herbs Work Best? presented by Sue LeiningPresidents’ Hall Demonstration Area
3::00pm: What are Hops?: Hops in Connecticut and elsewhere, and A History of Breweries in Connecticut: presented by Author & Podcaster Will SissDiscovery Center
3::00pm: Baloon Safari ShowKids Place
4::00pm: Candy Bar BingoKids Place
5::00pm: Antique Farm Equipment DemoSouth End Farm Museum

Date:
September 21–24, 2023

Hours:
September 21, 2023: 4 PM – 10 PM
September 22, 2023: 9 AM – 10 PM
September 23, 2023: 9 AM – 10 PM
September 24, 2023: 9 AM – 6 PM

Location: Durham Agricultural Fairgrounds - 24 Town House Road Durham, CT 06422

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