The Number of Superstars Who Have Performed at Maine’s Fryeburg Fair Will Shock You

These days, Maine has been blessed with more than a few world-class music venues, like the Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor, Aura in Portland, the Cross Insurance Arena, and Bowl in the Pines Amphitheater in Sidney.

That was not always the case, though.

At one time, it was Maine’s agricultural fairs that hosted the nation’s most popular touring acts.  As Maine lacked any major performance spaces until the construction of the Augusta Civic Center in the mid-1970s, major acts always performed at Maine's fairs.  This trend continues today at some Maine fairs.

One fair in particular has welcomed dozens of huge musical artists over the years.

Maine’s Blue Ribbon Class, the Fryeburg Fair, has welcomed dozens of well-known bands and artists over the decades.

In November of 2020, as we were all dealing with the fact that there were fairs that year, a video was posted to the Fryeburg Fair YouTube channel, giving a breakdown of some of the biggest artists to perform at the heritage Maine agricultural fair.

Country legend Tammy Wynette, probably best known for her song "Stand By Your Man", performed at the fair in 1983.

Boxcar Willie performed at the fair in 1981, Juice Newton was there in 1994, and the Shangri-las performed at the Fryeburg Fair in 1996.

Johnny Paycheck, who had a hit with “Take This Job and Shove It”, performed at the fair in 1998.

Clint Black was there in 2015.

Check out the video here:

According to the Concert Archives website, other Fryeburg Fair performers included Darryl Worley in 2005, Phil Vassar in 2006, Lady A in 2008, Brothers Osborne in 2016, and Nate Smith in 2022.

Have you ever seen a show at the Fryeburg Fair?  Who was it?  Share your memories with us in our app.