The Fryeburg Fair traffic is heavy but moving along nicely, and Woodsmen’s Day was extremely well-attended, thanks in part to the beautiful weather. I arrived on the grounds for an early morning walk and to marvel at the way this huge event all comes together. It takes a lot of people power to pull it off, but every year they manage to do just that.
I’m looking forward to the many events that take place each day, including open pig scramble, the two-crusted apple pie contest, and the night show, featuring Cassadee Pope, all happening on Wednesday.
Harness racing began on Tuesday and will continue all week. You have plenty of time to place bets on your favorite horse.
Shows also continue throughout the week showcasing draft horses, horse pulling, show beef and more. Thursday’s night show features High Valley, and Friday will feature Motor Booty Affair.
On Friday, the local kids will make their way to the fair to enjoy the rides, games and food. Don’t miss the fireworks after the night show.
Saturday is always a very busy day beginning with the grand parade at 10 a.m., sheep shows, 4-H beef heifer and showmanship events. The days ends with music by Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.
Everything wraps up on Sunday, ending with the 4WD Pull and the big drawing for this year’s Corvette, raffled off by the Fryeburg Recreation Department.
The 2017-18 Met Opera Live in HD series opens with a new production of Bellini’s demanding masterpiece, “Norma” this Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m. at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, located at 18 Bradley St. in Fryeburg.
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky as the Druid priestess and Joyce DiDonato as her archrival, Adalgisa, Sir David McVicar’s evocative production sets the action 2,000 years ago, deep the Roman proconsul over a Sicambri tribe of Druids, a moon-and-nature worshipping sect in what would now be Germany and of which Norma is priestess. The natives are restless for war to drive the Romans out, but Norma has been sleeping with the enemy, namely Pollione and, unbeknownst to her followers, has two children by him. Instead of war she prays for peace.
Tickets are $26 for adults, $23 for seniors and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or by calling the box office at 207-935-9232. Tickets will also be available at the door when the lobby opens at noon.
The run time for this production is approximately three hours (including one intermission). There will not be a catered lunch before the opera, but coffee and light snacks will be available during intermission.
Opera enthusiast Joe De Vito will be hosting his free opera lecture series at the performing arts center on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m.
On Monday, Oct. 9, be sure to wish my wonderful son Jeremy Johnson a very happy birthday.
The public hearing on Industrial Park Municipal Development and Tax Increment Financing District takes place on Oct. 10 at the Fryeburg Fire Station located at 520 Main St. at 6 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to attend. Voting for the Special Town Meeting on Oct. 12 will be held at the American Legion on Bradley Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Happy Columbus Day!
By Robin Johnson
Reprinted with permission of The Conway Daily Sun