By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Talented dogs will join tents full of cows, goats and llamas at this year’s Unionville Community Fair, which runs three days from Oct. 3 through Oct. 5.

Longtime fair leader Bonnie Musser said Aim High Canines, a team of tricky, friendly dogs will be on hand Saturday and Sunday for the first time to exhibit their amazing skills and to welcome guests.

Another new guest animal this year will be Muggles the pony, who will be there all three days to lead carriage rides.

Musser, to whom this year’s fair is dedicated, said that she has been participating and giving her energy to this beloved Unionville tradition for just about every one of her 82 years.

She said at one point she thought she was actually there in a prenatal state when her mother – a former fair queen -- was pregnant. Musser later found out that that was the particular year the fair was cancelled as a result of World War II.

Through those years of being recognized as the heart and soul of the fair, however, Musser is credited with handling locations, bringing new ideas to the table, and maintaining the strong connection with the area’s agricultural community, among other things.

Indeed, the theme this year is “Cultivating the Future,” with the hope that young people will grow in their appreciation of agriculture the way plants grow to their maturity.

Musser said the fondest memory of her leadership of the fair is when several of the local farmers came to her in the face of increasing out-of-town vendors and stereotypical celebrations elsewhere.

“They told me, ‘We want to thank you for bringing the farm to the fair,’” she said.

She added she feels that the Unionville Fair is unique in that regard.

She also remembers the first year of the move to the Landhope property from the high school when an alleged raccoon came in the night after judging and ate the winning cake.

And just as the fair organizers have brought on a few new animals, they try each year to find additional features that will enchant the visitors.

One change is the notable fair queen selection pageant. It will be a week earlier this year at the Unionville Elementary School, where it has been held since its beginning.

Another new addition, the Sunday morning parade of tractors, will add honors for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s history with drivers (and perhaps the tractors themselves) attired in garb of red, white and blue. This occurs at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning so get there early.

Last year, a very successful tailgate party was added to the Thursday night offerings in the lead up to the fair. It is returning this year with plans in store to consolidate the parking area of cars that are competing for the prize of the best display.

The centerpiece of the fair, and the actual connection to the original corn show that started this event 101 years ago, is the produce and craft display contest tent. Judging takes place on Oct. 2, and prizes are awarded.

The competitions have expanded greatly through the years, adding art, photography, needle-crafts and canning to the mix of competitions.

Some judges from the past year reported an expansion in the food-canning competition, which they attributed to people staying at home more during the Covid-19 pandemic and preserving their own, home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Still, as visitors walk into the tent, they can every year smell the aroma of corn and alfalfa, which has been with the fair since the beginning.

Another continuing event that is very popular and elicits excitement is the cow-milking contest.

This attraction pits representatives of the three elementary schools against each other for the quantity, and then goes on to find the most skilled adult competitor in this event in the next round.

Musser said there is an effort to find one or more adults of local fame or recognition to participate in this round.

More recognizable events are the return of the old car show, the haunted house, scores of food vendors and tents full of goats, llamas and cows.

The recently added beer and wine stand will be open on Friday and Saturday, as well as a STEM competition among students.

As always, there are plenty of pumpkins, acrobatics, children’s events and bands.

The location of the fair is on East Street Road in East Marlborough, at the intersection with Route 82. More than a century ago, the fair started at what is now the Unionville Elementary School.

There is no admission fee, but parking is $5 for cars with one driver, and $10 for cars with passengers.

The fair’s hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information and to stay up to date on all the Unionville Community Fair activities, visit  www.ucfair.org.