SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Cheshire Fair rolls into its final two days this weekend with a packed schedule of agricultural competitions, live entertainment, motorsports and family attractions at the Cheshire Fairgrounds.
Saturday’s lineup features livestock and horse shows beginning in the morning, along with a farm tractor stoneboat pull, draft horse pulls and 4-H competitions throughout the day. Fairgoers can also watch the Open Beef Show, Open Sheep Show and 4-H Poultry Show, while the Fanelli Midway opens at 10 a.m.
One of Saturday’s highlights is the New Hampshire 250th Celebration Cavalcade, which steps off at 11:30 a.m. near the midway, recognizing the state’s semiquincentennial.
The afternoon includes the popular 4×4 Truck Pull at 1 p.m. in front of the grandstand, followed by the annual Pig Scramble at 4:15 p.m. and the Draft Horse Pull Free for All at 7 p.m. Cow Plop Bingo rounds out the evening at the cattle ring.
Live entertainment continues throughout the grounds Saturday. On the Tavern Stage, Amanda Meli performs as Dolly Parton from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by outlaw country tribute band WailOn from 2 to 5 p.m. and country artist Carson Janik from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Community Stage features Joe Jennings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Doug the Devil Stick Man at 1:30 p.m., Matt Meserve from 3 to 6 p.m. and Nine North from 6 to 9 p.m.
Other attractions include Reptiles of New England, wood carving demonstrations by the Wood Wizard and carnival rides operating throughout the day.
Sunday marks the final day of the fair, with free admission for seniors ages 62 and older.
The day begins with a non-denominational worship service at 8:15 a.m. on the Community Stage, followed by church group singers. Agricultural events continue with an all-day ox pull, horse show, open sheep show, woodsman competition and the 4-H Dairy Show.
Entertainment Sunday includes Joe Jennings and Gavin Key and the Get Down during the late morning and early afternoon, followed by the Lenny Solomon Band on the Community Stage and blues group 50 Shades of Blue on the Tavern Stage.
Children can participate in stick horse racing Sunday afternoon, while wood carving demonstrations and the Reptiles of New England exhibit continue throughout the day.
The weekend concludes with one of the fair’s signature attractions — the annual Demolition Derby at 4 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Unlike most events at the fair, the demolition derby requires a separate $10 admission for spectators ages 5 and older.
The Fanelli Midway opens at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with rides and games operating throughout the day.
General admission to the fair is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 11. Children 4 and younger are admitted free, and active military members receive free admission with identification. Seniors 62 and older receive free admission on Sunday.
A complete schedule, fair map and additional information are available at CheshireFair.org.
