Ron Hawe’s family has deep roots in the annual Union Fair and Maine Wild Blueberry Festival. “My grandfather was the president, my father was the president, and my sister was crowned Blueberry Queen,” he says. “Probably about 2010, they needed additional volunteer help, so I stepped up and have been president since 2012.” Founded by The North Knox Ag- ricultural and Horticultural Society in 1869, the Union Fair has taken place every year with the excep- tion of 1943 and 1944, during World War II. Propelled by gen- erations of volunteers, the fair exists to promote and improve agricul- tural practices in Maine. While still grounded in those ideals, the week of the fair is now packed with contests (you won’t want to miss lawn-mower drag racing), live music, demonstrations, food, and exhibits. This year, fea- tured acts include the hosts of the DIY Network show Maine Cabin Masters on August 22. The “holler-folk” band The Ghost of Paul Revere takes the stage August 25. But the real draw for nearly 3,000 expected visitors is the Blueberry Fes- tival held on Friday–more specifically, the delicious miniature blueberry pies each attendant receives. Since 1960, the Blueberry Festival has held a “Best Pie Maker” contest (originally won by Mrs. George Cole) and a blueberry-pie- eating contest. In 1961, the first Blue- berry Queen, Monalee Smith, was crowned. How does a town of 2,234 people pull this off? “We have over 200 volunteers who help us during fair week,” says Hawes. “It’s for the love of the fair. It’s why I do it. We grew up with it. It’s a lot of work. Sometimes I question myself, ‘What the heck am I doing?’ But I love this fair.” Festivals The Maine Wild Blueberry Festival wouldn’t be com- plete without the coronation of the Maine Wild Blue- berry Queen on August 20. The first queen, Monalee Smith Pritchard, was crowned in 1961, the same year the first humans ventured into space and construc- tion began on the Berlin Wall. “I’d just started a nurs- ing position at Mass General Hospital when my father insisted I come home for the Blueberry Queen contest. He’d ‘lost’ me as collateral in a bet with a local blue- berry business, Herrick and Company. I said, ‘Dad I’m not the type,’ but he said, ‘I lost the bet, and that’s what he wants to do with you.’” Despite her initial indiffer- ence, Smith won the title. “I had a wonderful time rep- resenting Maine… It was a really fun experience.” Each contestant is sponsored by a blueberry packer or processor, and the queen represents the Maine blue- berry industry for the next year. Krisandra McNich- ol, the 2017 Maine Wild Blueberry Queen, was spon- sored by Spruce Mountain Blueberries of West Rock- port. McNichol spent many August days of her child- hood attending Union Fair. “I looked forward to pig scrambles and flying high frisbee dogs,” McNichol says. “What I really loved to see were the Maine Wild Blueberry Princesses and Queen… I looked up to these young ladies and was anxious to grow up and fill their roles.” Blueberry Queen The 147th Union Fair sweetens those mid-summer blues. By Emily Taylor j u ly / august 2 0 1 8 2 7 juliamusher.com; courtesy photo and Music Festival,84 Mechanic St.,Presque Isle. Annually since 1851,the fair features both modern entertainment– live music and rides–along with tradi- tional events,such as 4-H competitions,Jul.27-Aug. 4.764-1884. Oxford County Fair,67 Pottle Rd. Livestock shows, horse pulling,traditional farming and crafting dem- onstrations,live music, food and more,Sep.12-15. 739-2204. Piscataquis Valley Fair, 77 Fairview Ave.,Dover- Foxcroft.Figure 8 Race and He-Man competition,Tuff Truck,demolition derby and more,Aug.23-26. 717-9100. Pittston Fair,995 East Pittston Rd.,Pittston. “Maine’s Friendliest Fair,” boasts a strawberry pag- eant,live music,loader/ backhoe competition, historical museum,goat fun show,pig scramble,horse shows,exhibitions,mad sci- ence,and much more,Jul. 26-29.pittstonfair.com Redneck “Blank” Pig Roast & Music Fest,12 Harold Ln.,Hebron.Featur- ing bands Fire in the Hole, Stolen Mojo,Country Roads and more,with eight olym- pic style events and a mud run,this fest sponsors the Lewiston Vet Center Family Day,Aug.2-5.966-3333. Skowhegan State Fair, Constitution Ave.The nation’s oldest continu- ously run agricultural fair celebrates its 200th year and will feature truck pulls, demolition derby,harness racing,midway,agricultural exhibits,live music and more,Aug.9-18.474-2947. Southern Maine Ste- ampunk Fair,Brick Store Museum,117 Main St., Kennebunk.Maine’s only steampunk fair with ven- dors of Victorian-futuristic arts and crafts and Victorian lawn games.New this year the fair will include a steampunk high tea service, how-to corset fittings,tea duel,and book signings featuring authors Joy Reed and Leanna Renee Hieber. Family-friendly costumes