Tunbridge ‘World’s Fair’

Abraham Vasquez of Veracruz, Mexico, puts the finishing touches on the merry-go-round in preparation for the Worlds Fair in Tunbridge. The fall opens this morning (Thursday) and runs through Sunday. It's one of Vermont's most unique institutions. (Herald / Tim Calcbro)

Runs for Four Days

The famed Tunbridge World’s Fair opens this morning in scenic and historic Tunbridge, Vermont for four days of horse racing, livestock shows, tractor pulling, carnival rides and games, and entertainment at several places at once.

Don’t miss Antique Hill, the fair’s unique agricultural museum, with action exhibits, a one-room schoolhouse, printing press, blacksmith shop, a cider mill post office (where you can mail letters), and much more.

Then there’s the Floral Hall, beloved by traditional crafts people who still thrive in these narrow Vermont valleys.

There will be big pumpkins and squash like you can’t believe, exhibits of rare breeds of animals,and a harvest competition. There will be pig racing, an antique tractor pull, a livestock cavalcade, clowns, magic shows.

The World’s Fair is a great place for kids. Besides the always-popular rides and fair food, there’s a children’s barnyard, games for kids, and the junior livestock shows where their young friends show off the animals they’ve been raising.

This year’s show is dedicated to "celebrating the milking cow." The town of Tunbridge, though in a narrow valley, possesses fertile soils and has a tradition of important small farms that have stretched the limits of breeding perfection. You can see the beautiful animals from miles around in the spreading white animal barns, and talk to their owners about the farm life.

It’s one of America’s great agricultural fairs, perfect for the whole family. Gates are open from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, from 7:30 to 10 on Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sunday.