Every summer, thousands of people make their way down Wyassup Road for four days of tractor pulls, livestock shows, live music, midway rides, and enough fair food to forget whatever diet they started on Monday. For longtime visitors, the North Stonington Agricultural Fair is a tradition. For first-timers, though, it can be hard to know where to begin.
The good news? You don’t have to see everything to have a great day. Whether you’re bringing young kids, looking for classic country fair competitions, or simply want a few hours of old-fashioned summer fun, here’s how to make the most of one of southeastern Connecticut’s favorite annual events.
Arrive Earlier Than You Think
The biggest mistake first-time visitors make is waiting until late afternoon.
By arriving shortly after the gates open, you’ll find lighter crowds, easier parking, shorter food lines, and plenty of time to wander through the livestock barns before the midway fills up. It’s also the best opportunity to see many of the agricultural competitions that have been at the heart of the fair for generations.
Don’t Skip the Livestock Barns
The rides may grab the attention, but the livestock is what makes this an agricultural fair.
Throughout the weekend you’ll find cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, working steers, and oxen, along with judging competitions that highlight the hard work of local farmers and 4-H participants. Even if you’ve never attended a livestock show before, it’s one of the experiences that makes the fair unique.
This year also marks a milestone for the fair with the opening of Connecticut’s first covered livestock pulling ring, a new addition designed to protect competitions from the weather and preserve this longtime tradition for future generations.
There’s Always Something Happening
One of the best parts of the North Stonington Agricultural Fair is that the schedule never really slows down.
Depending on when you visit, you might find truck pulls, horse pulls, oxen competitions, Flying High Canines, Real Shoot Wrestling, pie-eating contests, magician Robert Clarke entertaining families, or live country music on the main stage. It pays to glance at the daily schedule before you arrive so you don’t accidentally miss something you were hoping to see.
Come Hungry
Nobody leaves the fair hungry.
Classic favorites like fried dough, burgers, sausage sandwiches, barbecue, lemonade, and ice cream can be found throughout the grounds, while organizations like the local Grange continue traditions with homemade meals that have been drawing fairgoers for decades.
Trying something indulgent is practically part of the admission price.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll probably walk farther than you expect.
Between the exhibit halls, livestock barns, pulling ring, entertainment stages, food vendors, and midway, it’s easy to spend several hours exploring the grounds. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle can make a big difference during a warm July afternoon.
Stay for the Entertainment
While many visitors come for the agricultural competitions, the live entertainment gives people another reason to stick around into the evening.
Saturday features traditional country artist Isabella Spiers on the Main Stage, while Flying High Canines, Robert Clarke, and Real Shoot Wrestling perform multiple shows throughout the day, giving families plenty of chances to catch an act without feeling rushed.
It’s Still a Real Country Fair
What makes the North Stonington Agricultural Fair special isn’t one attraction—it’s the atmosphere.
Kids carrying stuffed animals from the midway. Families watching truck pulls with an ice cream in hand. Farmers proudly showing the animals they’ve spent months raising. Friends catching up over fair food they’ve looked forward to all year.
Some fairs have become amusement parks with a few exhibits added on. North Stonington has managed to keep agriculture at its heart while adding just enough entertainment to make it a full day out for the whole family.
For the complete daily schedule, admission information, parking details, entertainment lineup, and everything happening throughout the weekend, visit our North Stonington Agricultural Fair event guide.
