Michelle Mitchell E-mail | Web site Michelle is the Digital Media Producer for The Telegraph and NH.com. She spends her workdays searching for things to do in New Hampshire and then putting them into the NH.com event calendar. Michelle is originally from St. Louis but has been in New Hampshire for over 15 years, "I love my home state, but New Hampshire has the mountains, the seacoast and perfect summer days!" She is the mother of 5 children varying in age from 20 to 8 and loves to find inexpensive things to do with her kids. Michelle enjoys New Hampshire's music scene and is always on the lookout for new bands and new places to enjoy them. She also enjoys her dogs, cats and, when possible, a day of nothing but movies and sleeping!

With the feeling that an agricultural fair was needed in this locality, the Contoocook Board of Trade took the initiative. It was expected that the farmers would make this a success if the agricultural interests gave the proper enthusiasm and support.

This would then be made an annual affair. The Fair was named the "Hopkinton Fair" but it was also known as the "Contoocook Valley Fair." On December 2, 1985, the Directors of the Hopkinton Fair Association voted to change the name to the "Hopkinton State Fair."

The first Fair was held at George's Park. It was a two-day event held on a Tuesday and Wednesday, October 5 and 6, 1915. The net profit was just under five dollars. In 1921, the Fair became a three-day event, held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday became the "Big Day" as many of the stores and businesses in Concord and surrounding towns closed at noon so their employees could go to the Fair.

These early fairs were centered on the racetrack. Many local people had horses and they would show them off at sulky or harness races. Baseball games were also a big attraction, held on the ball diamond located inside of the oval racetrack. The Midway consisted of amusement rides, games, side show tents, beano and, of course, food stands. All of the concessions were also located inside the oval racetrack. The local Contoocook Town Band held concerts and Vaudeville Stage shows also became popular events.

Many people brought livestock, fowl, swine, sheep and other small animals to exhibit for ribbons and small amounts of money as prizes. Fruits, vegetables, homemade pastries, canned goods, and home crafts were also very popular exhibits. In 1947 the Fair moved up behind the present Hopkinton High School, as more room was needed due to the tremendous growth they were experiencing. In 1953, the Fair moved again to its present location.

In 1980 it became a full five-day event, opening on Thursday and continuing through Labor Day as it has ever since. Over its history, the Hopkinton State Fair has become a large, top-ranked agricultural fair in New Hampshire. It is well known for their agricultural exhibit as well as the fine entertainment which it furnishes every year. The Directors and Staff endeavor to improve the Fair each year to make it more enjoyable for our many guests.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Parking - Parking in the Hopkinton State Fair's parking lots costs $2.00. We can accommodate a very large crowd in our expanded on-grounds lots, but if you find our lots getting full, there is also parking available at privately owned lots bordering the fairgrounds. These lots generally charge from $2.00 to $4.00.

Guest Information - This office is staffed with fair personnel to provide you with information about our fair and other information that you may need. It is located in our administration building next to the main grandstands. If you are trying to decide which day or days to come to the fair, please review our web page on crowd size.

First Aid - The Hopkinton State Fair is equipped with a First Aid Station that is staffed during the normal hours of operation. The First Aid Station is located behind our Main Grandstands.

Public Restrooms - The Hopkinton State Fair has made a substantial investment in providing permanent, barrier-free restroom buildings to our customers and staff. The first restroom is located in the Infield. The second restroom is located in the Agricultural Exhibits area near the Durgin Pulling Arena. The third restroom is located in the Midway area near the Green Gate. For all our customers, we hope you will find these restrooms a major step forward in our goal to making your stay at the Hopkinton State Fair as pleasant as possible. Please ask our staff for the nearest facility to you.

ADA - The Hopkinton State Fair will be continuing to modify all our permanent facilities to comply with guidelines established under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Seating has been constructed around the grounds to remove access barriers to our events and buildings wherever possible. As this is an on-going effort, we appreciate your patience as we make the changes and will appreciate any thoughts as to specific areas of improvement.

Lost and Found - If you do happen to lose something during the fair, and it is found, it will be at the Administration Office located near the center of the fairgrounds. If you have left the fair grounds, please call the office at (603) 746-4191 to see if you lost article has been found.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Country Porch Stage

Thursday, September 2
Greg Frisbee 4 pm 6 pm 8 pm
Free Cycle Bikes & Skateboards 1 pm 3 pm 5 pm
Magic of Ron Diamond 2 pm
Ron Diamond's Hypnosis 7 pm 9 pm

Friday, September 3
Greg Frisbee 4 pm 6 pm 8 pm
Free Cycle Bikes & Skateboards 1 pm 3 pm 5 pm
Magic of Ron Diamond 2 pm
Ron Diamond's Hypnosis 7 pm 9 pm

Saturday, September 4
Greg Frisbee 4 pm 6 pm 8 pm
Noteable Decades 11 am 3 pm
Free Cycle Bikes & Skateboards Noon 2 pm 5 pm
Magic of Ron Diamond 1 pm
Ron Diamond's Hypnosis 7 pm 9 pm

Sunday, September 5
Greg Frisbee 4 pm 6 pm 8 pm
Free Cycle Bikes & Skateboard Noon 2 pm 5 pm
Magic of Ron Diamond 1 pm
Ron Diamond's Hypnosis 7 pm 9 pm

Monday, September 6
Greg Frisbee 9 am 11 am 2 pm
Free Cycle Bikes & Skateboards 10 am 1 pm 3 pm
Magic of Ron Diamond Noon
Ron Diamond's Hypnosis 4 pm

Performers:

FREE CYCLE BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS
Come see daredevil stunts performed by pros and choreographed to

high energy music.

THE HYPNOSIS AND MAGIC OF RON DIAMOND
Ron will amaze you and your family or friends with his feats of magic and illusion. Can you be put under a spell?

NEW! GREG FRISBEE SHOW
This show includes juggling, fire eating, mind reading, extreme balancing, audience participation and above all else comedy! Greg Frisbee and his seemingly bottomless trunk of props will be sure to have you laughing out loud!

NOTEABLE DECADES
Saturday, Sept. 4
This incredibly versatile Concord, NH band features a sizzling mix of Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Percussion and Vocal Trio performing music from the 1950's - 1980's.

Infield Area

NEW! DOCK DOGS (3 shows, TBA)
Join us for some high flying action! The competition is simple and exciting - the dog with the longest leap off the end of the dock wins. As seen on ABC, ESPN's GOG and the Outdoor Channel.

JEFF DEARBORN & THE CONTOOCOOK BLUES SOCIETY
Saturday, Sept. 4 & Sunday, Sept. 5, 12pm-6pm; Monday, Sept. 6, 12pm-5pm
An upbeat Chicago style blues band based in Contoocook, NH performs a mix of blues standards, lesser-known gems and songs penned by band leader and harmonica player Jeff Dearborn.

JOSE DUDDY
Thursday, Sept. 2 & Friday, Sept. 3, 1pm-4pm
Come listen to 'Maine's #1 Country Entertainer'! Jose Duddy has recorded 5 albums and has performed across the country.

Special Events

SAND SCULPTURE COMPANY
Thursday, Sept. 2 - Monday, Sept. 6 (Near Piggy Palace)
Think you are a master at sculpting a sand castle? Think again. Watch as this team of master sand sculptors create a wonderland of sand. You will be amazed by the work-of-art created right before your eyes.

GRANDSTAND SHOWS

All Grandstand tickets may be purchased online at www.hsfair.org.
Mastercard® and Visa® accepted for online purchase only.

NEW! MONSTER TRUCKS
Thursday, Sept. 2, 7pm show
Start your engines! Witness this incredible, ground pounding, car crushing, axle wrenching Monster Truck Show. All seats: $6 (age 2 & under: FREE)

FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS BIKES COMPETITION
Friday, Sept. 3, 6:30pm show (one day only)
Don't miss the opportunity to watch these mud-slinging bikes perform jaw-dropping turns, jumps, and "whoops". Not sure what a "whoop" is? Come find out. This show is a must see! All seats: $6 (age 2 & under: FREE)

TRACTOR PULLS*
Stock Farm: Thursday, Sept. 2, 8am

Garden: Friday, Sept. 3, 8am (located at the backside of the track) Come watch your neighbors and friends compete to see who has the pull in Stock Farm and Garden Tractor Competitions!

DEMOLITION DERBY
Saturday, Sept. 4, 6:30pm (seating begins at 5:30pm) - Full size
Sunday, Sept. 5, 6:30pm (seating begins at 5:30pm) - 4 cylinder
Come watch our drivers turn full-size cars into compacts. We also have a four-cylinder class with foreign and domestic cars! All seats: $7 (age 2 & under: FREE)

SHEEPDOG HERDING DEMONSTRATIONS
Monday, Sept. 6
David Kennard of Wellscroft Farm in Chesham, NH, entertains audiences with his herding demonstrations. *Event included in your General Admission ticket.

MIDWAY
The Midway opens:
Thursday & Friday, Sept. 2 & 3, noon
Saturday, Sept. 4 - Monday, Sept. 6, 10am

Fiesta Shows' Midway, New England's biggest and best carnival Midway proudly partners with the Hopkinton State Fair! In addition to our regularly priced tickets, we offer two "Pay One Price" Midway ride specials that allow fair patrons to ride unlimited rides during special sessions: Thursday, September 2, 4pm until closing - Ride unlimited rides for $18* per person with coupon and Friday, September 3, 5pm until closing - Ride unlimited rides for $18* per person with coupon.

AGRICULTURE EVENTS

Livestock Exhibits
If you are interested in agriculture, we have one of the largest livestock exhibits in New England. You will find barn after barn full of cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, horses, oxen, llamas...and the list goes on and on.

Home & Garden Exhibits
Home Arts incudes an array of baked & canned goods, hand-made quilts, and much more! In the Farmer's Market you'll find home-grown fruits, veggies, and flowers.

The Morrill Family Farm Museum
The Morrill Family Farm Museum is a 40-foot wide by 96-foot long timber framed barn filled with farming memorabilia dating back to the early 1900's.

Maple Sugarhouse
See how maple syrup is made and be sure to sample one of New Hampshire's oldest agricultural traditions. Staffed by members of the NH Maple Syrup Producers Association.

PULLING SCHEDULE
(start times are approximate)

If horse and ox pulling suits your fancy, the Durgin Pulling Arena is your place at Hopkinton State Fair. This 2,000 seat covered facility offers you a full schedule of events in any weather condition at the fair. The Durgin Pulling Arena is located near the Red Gate and the events are included in the price of your admission to the fair.

Thursday, Sept 2, 2010
11:00AM Horse 3,000 & under, 6 foot pull
3:00PM Horse 3,200 & under, 6 foot pull
7:00PM 3 Horse Hitch 4,800 & under, 15 foot pull

Friday, Sept 3, 2010
11:00AM Horse 3,100 & under, 12 foot pull
3:00PM Horse 3,300 & under, 12 foot pull
7:00PM Horse Free For All, 12 foot pull

Saturday, Sept 4, 2010

11:00AM Cattle 2,000 & under , 6 foot pull
3:00PM Cattle 600 to 1,200, 6 foot pull
1600 & under, 6 foot pull
(Driver 14 and under)
7:00PM Cattle 2,400 and under, 6 foot pull

Sunday, Sept 5, 2010
8:00AM 4-H Working Steer Distance Pull
11:00AM Cattle 2,800 & under, 6 foot pull
3:00PM Cattle 3,200 & under, 6 foot pull
7:00PM Cattle Free For All, 6 foot pull

Monday, Sept 6, 2010
11:00AM Ponies 1,800 & Under , 6 foot pull
2:00PM Ponies Free For All, 6 foot pull

TICKETS

2010 Advance Ticket Sales
Purchasing tickets On-Line insures that you can get the tickets you want. If you purchase tickets at least 7 days before the fair you can have them shipped to you and avoid long lines at the gates. Remember Grandstand Shows require a separate admission to the Fair Grounds for each Granstand ticket.

Day Date Time Tickets

Thursday 9/2/2010 8:00 AM General Admission Ticket
Thursday 9/2/2010 6:30 PM Monster Trucks -Requires separate admission ticket
Friday 9/3/2010 8:00 AM General Admission Ticket
Friday 9/3/2010 6:30 PM Freestyle Motorcross Bikes - Requires separate admission ticket
Saturday 9/4/2010 8:00 AM General Admission Ticket
Saturday 9/4/2010 6:30 PM Demolition Derby - Requires separate admission ticket to Fair
Sunday 9/5/2010 8:00 AM General Admission Ticket
Sunday 9/5/2010 6:30 PM Demolition Derby - Requires separate admission ticket to Fair
Monday 9/6/2010 8:00 AM General Admission Ticket

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