Common Ground Fair Draws Mainers Down to Earth

By Kayla Riley
Photos by Melanie Brooks

The Common Ground Country Fair held annually in Unity, Maine is now a cultural mainstay, providing locals with information about organic farming, delicious food, Maine made wares, and song and dance. But in its early stages it was small potatoes.

It began as a “harvest celebration” in 1977 at the Litchfield Fairgrounds. A small group of Mainers with a passion for organic gardening and farming had recently started the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, or MOFGA. An astounding 10,000 people attended, and members of MOFGA soon realized they would have to find a bigger venue.


In 1981, MOFGA held the Common Ground Fair at the Windsor Fairgrounds. That year, the crowd multiplied to over 50,000 people. For years, MOFGA searched for a more suitable location that could not only house the Fair and its many attendees but also a year-round agricultural center.

The perfect place happened to be Unity, and in 1996 MOFGA purchased more than 200 acres of land on which to hold the yearly event. The Common Ground Fair was held for the first time in Unity in 1998. Along with the popularity of the Fair, MOFGA has grown to about 5,000 members, 18 staff members and 2,000 current volunteers.


This year’s turnout was no exception to previous years. With everything from the remarkable sheep dog demonstration to the rather unpleasant Harry S. Truman Memorial manure toss, the Fair had something for everyone. For the kids, there was a wide variety of activities including face painting, arts and crafts and a vegetable garden parade. At the folk arts tents, local artists could be found sharing their talents with eager onlookers.