This year’s Cumberland Fair features a flavor of the wild west with Brahma bulls, broncos and real-life cowboys and cowgirls.
“We’re going to have a great time and don’t you forget it,” said Mike Timmons, president of the Cumberland Farmers Club that sponsors the annual fair.
Cumberland Fair at 140 Bruce Hill Road in Cumberland opens Sunday, Sept. 24, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 30. The 135th rendition of the fair introduces several new highlights including a bull riding contest in addition to a rodeo and barrel racing.
T-Bar-T Rodeo Company of Lake George, N.Y. will produce those contests. “It’ll be full-blown professional bull riding, rodeo and barrel racing,” Timmons said.
Twenty-five cowboys are expected to pit their riding skills against the Brahma bulls trying to buck them at 5:30 p.m. on opening day, Sep. 24, at the fair. Tammy Tracy, marketing director for the rodeo company, said the bull riding would be sanctioned by the International Bull Riding Association.
Tracy expects cowboys from several states in the south, Midwest and Northeast to enter the bull riding contest. The event might even attract some Canadian cowboys, Tracy said.
The bull riding promises to be exciting. Tracy said the Brahma bulls weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds each. “I’m bringing 31 or 32 bulls,” she said.
Barrel racers will mount their horses at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. Local riders are eligible to compete along with professionals in the barrel racing. But the barrel racing is not a sanctioned event.
Entry fee for barrel racing is $30 for the open event for both men and women. Tracy said the purse would be $300 added to the total amount of entry fees.
There will be $100 added purse for the youth division for boys and girls. The entry fee is $15.
Local barrel racers who want more information or to enter should call Tracy at (518) 793-1044 or Cumberland Fair at 829-5531.
The first of two rodeos with professional cowboys and cowgirls will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. The rodeo continues at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. Tammy Tracy said the eight-event rodeo is sanctioned by the American Professional Rodeo Association.
Rodeo events include bronco riding, steer wrestling, calf roping by cowboys on horseback with events for individuals and teams, calf roping for cowgirls, and more bull riding. “It’s going to be wonderful,” Tracy said.
The bull riding, barrel racing and rodeo will be held rain or shine in an outside arena just built near the fair’s farm museum. “It’s in the good, fall fresh air,” Timmons said.
Cumberland Fair has installed stands for the events. And Windham High School and Topsham Fair donated extra bleachers. Hungry fairgoers will find picnic tables close to the rodeo arena in addition to a restaurant.
Timmons said the T-Bar-T would set up pens for the rodeo animals, which will be shipped in. He said Ival Cianchette and his son, Earle Cianchette, both of the Cianbro Corporation, donated lights, which volunteers installed at the arena. “We’re all ready to turn on the switch,” Timmons said.
Fair gate admission is $8 on opening day, Sunday, Sept. 24, and on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30; $6, Monday, Sept. 25, through Thursday, Sept. 28.
Admission for children ages 11 and 12 is $2 each day and children 10 and under will be admitted free.
Senior citizens will be admitted for $2 on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
Parking is $2 each day.
There is no extra cost of admission for the bull riding, barrel racing and rodeo events.
The mid-way, harness racing and 4-H shows are among the traditional features offered at the fair. Entertainment includes Tony Boffa Show, Windham High School Chamber Singers, Debbie Morin Show, Don Campbell Band, Elijah Jensen, Debbie Myers Show, Toe Jam Puppet Band, Brian Wardwell, and the Mac McHale Old Time Radio Gang.
Harness racing will be at 3 p.m. daily during the fair in addition to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, which is appreciation day with free admission.
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