the common ground fair

The Common Ground Fair takes place every September in Unity, Maine.  Confession: I didn't know where Unity, Maine was until I went to the fair yesterday.  It's put on by MOFGA, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.  The fair is filled with local craftsmen and organic farmers selling their product and also features many speakers who teach about everything from composting to low impact forestry to how to repair snags in your knitting.  I met up with my friend Cait and her boyfriend's mom, Kathy, which was trickier than you'd think because thousands of people go to this fair and you don't get cell phone reception there.

The above picture is from my drive to the fair (don't worry, I pulled over to take it).  The foliage was beautiful and I wanted to take a gazillion pictures as I drove over rolling hills of farmland and could see foliage for miles and miles.  Unfortunately, the skies were very gray and didn't do the foliage justice.

I took the picture of the Hobbit holes for Dan.  They're kind of a cute idea.  The pictures below are from the organic farmers section.  The produce looked so delicious: 

I was shocked by the number of kids at the fair.  Kathy said she was shocked by how well behaved they all were! Perhaps it was because there were so many fun things for them to do, like slide down a hill on flattened cardboard boxes:

Or participate in the children's parade.  Kids dress up like fruits and vegetables and sometimes bugs and carry amusing signs saying things like, "no pesticides on me!" and "organically grow."

Finally, there were many non-produce things to buy.  A yarn section made up a large part of the fair grounds.  Many people were spinning their own yarn in their booths, which I found fascinating.  Some even had brought their alpacas/rabbits/sheep with them!

All in all, a great, educational way to spend a gray Sunday.