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The Sandwich Fair is an annual event held on Columbus Day weekend in Sandwich, New Hampshire. The midway is open the three days of the fair and the Friday night prior to the fair's start. Two parades are part of the fair: an antique auto parade on Saturday and then the "Grand Street Parade" on Sunday, including marching bands from Inter-Lakes High School and Moultonborough Academy.
Contents
4-H
4-H is a major feature of the fair. Carroll County's 4-H members can submit projects and show animals, and as of May 5, 2007, young equestrians will be allowed to mount and dismount in Dutch form.
4-H Premium
Exhibitors can submit projects in two categories including child care, fiber arts, and garden crops. Participants are judged on different levels. Ribbons of Blue, Red, and Green are awarded to participants by the judges.
Ring ethics
Participants who show animals must keep to the fair's ethical standards. These standards cover topics of fairness, safety, and animal health.
Beef
Cows usable for beef products are shown in 17 different divisions. The divisions divide participants by experience and cattle by age as well as type.
Dairy
Dairy cows are divided in various divisions based on their ability to milk and their age.
Goat show
The goat show divides single goat entries by age and ability to milk. There are also group categories for goats including Herd and Best of Show.
Dog show
The dog show divides participants by age and experience.
Horse Show
The horse show allows riders to show various types of riding methods. A portion of the show also quizzes participants.
Sheep show
This show divides sheep by sex, age, and ability to make production quality wool.
Swine show
This show divides swine by sex, age, and marketability.
Working Steer
This show is for steer usable to pull plows, carts, etc.
History
The fair was first held on Sunday October 12, 1909 and was a grange/farmers fair. This was a one-day fair always held on Columbus Day.
The fair was a three-day event for the first time in 1988 and is now held annually on Columbus Day Weekend. The fair is held on the fairgrounds near the Samuel Wentworth Library and the tennis courts and the field after the fire station.
Friday night has been the midway preview for several years. A bracelet can be purchased and the rides can be ridden as many times as you like from 4 pm until 9 pm, admission is free. Exhibit halls are not open on Friday night.
Saturday has been "kids" day with a ride special bracelet. Purchase a bracelet and ride all the rides from 9 am - 2 pm as much as you want. Exhibit halls open at 9 am and the animal shows start on Saturday also for everyone to see.
Sunday has always featured the "Grand Street Parade" and is still a major feature of the day along with all of the open animal shows. Horse and oxen pulling have always been very well attended.
Monday is "Senior" day. The rides are still going and this is the day to see all of the "4-H" animal shows. Seniors get a discount admission price today.