Annual Bolton Fair Starts This Weekend, But Delayed By Debby

BOLTON, MA — The annual Bolton Fair will kick off this weekend, celebrating small-town New England agrarian roots. Of course, it wouldn't be a New England event without some weather interference.

The fair, which marks 150 years in 2024, will delay its opening until Saturday due to heavy rains riding into the region thanks to former hurricane Debby. Rain is forecast to begin Friday afternoon and last into Saturday morning.

When the fair opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, visitors can expect a wide range of experiences, from livestock shows and tractor pulls to a farmers market, rides, lumberjack demonstrations, a petting zoo and livestock shows featuring cattle, goats and sheep. See the full lineup for Saturday and Sunday here.

The Bolton Fair is one of the earliest agricultural fairs happening in the state this year ahead of marquee events like the Topsfield Fair and the Big E. The Bolton Fair got its start in 1874 as a small event showcasing the region's livestock and produce, and is one of less than 40 similar events still held across the state in late summer and fall.

Other ag fairs coming up nearby include:

• Hardwick Fair, Aug. 16 - 17
• Middlesex County 4-H, Aug. 23 - 25
• Spencer Fair, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2
• Sterling Fair, Sept. 6 - 8
• Upton Grange, Sept. 28