Durham Fair 2015: A Complete Guide

Welcome to autumn in Connecticut! There’s nothing like fall in New England — apple picking, pumpkin pie and of course, the Durham Fair!

Here is your complete guide to the fair festivities.

Hours of Operation

• Thursday, Sept. 24: 4 to 10 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 25: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 27: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting

George Planeta will have the honor of cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24.

“After high school, Planeta became an electrician and worked at a private firm for twenty-five years,” according to the Durham Fair Association. “During that time, he was an active member of the fair. In 1965, he was asked to take on the responsibility of running the electrical work for the fair. To this day, he has obtained this responsibility, now with the help of his sons and grandsons. His work for the fair includes the fountain in the pond behind the barns and the crow’s nest, which once rested on top of the old vegetable building before the huge snowstorm years ago. It is a pleasure to have this incredible volunteer and member of our community cut the ribbon [Thursday] to open this year’s fair.”

Main Stage Entertainment

Martina McBride: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25

• Opening Act: Monthei Brothers Band featuring Presley and Taylor
• 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25

Craig Morgan: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26

• Opening Act: Jackson Hill
• 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26

Confederate Railroad: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27

• Opening Act: Charlie Allen
• 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27

Visit the Durham Fair website’s entertainment page for a complete listing of stages and entertainment.

Rides

• 25 tickets for $20 or 40 tickets for $30 (available entire fair)
• Bracelets (available Friday 9/25 only 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• $25 (roller coaster not included)
• $30 (roller coaster included)
• Roller Coaster – $6 (6 ticket ride); Must be 42” to ride the roller coaster with or without an adult

Wine Festival

The Durham Fair will once again host the Connecticut Wine Festival located on Main Stage Hill during three days of the fair, September 25 – 26, 2015.

• Friday: Noon to 8 p.m.
• Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Meander the massive Durham Fair Wine Tasting Tent or enjoy VIP main stage viewing in the outdoor tasting area! Experience a unique collection of Connecticut-crafted wines, including award-winning selections from some of the top wineries in the state.

Adult fairgoers of legal age have the opportunity to sample some of the finest wine portfolios Connecticut has to offer. Don’t forget to bring home your official Durham Fair wine glasses available at the Durham Fair Souvenir Shops.

There is an additional charge for this sampling festival.

Daily Schedule

• Visit the Durham Fair website to see an hour-by-hour schedule of activities.

Parking

Parking in the Durham Fair operated lots is $5 per day/single entry or $10 for unlimited entry during the fair weekend (these unlimited passes are only sold prior to the fair).

A list of parking lots, with links to Google Maps, is provided below. On Thursday, Sept. 25, regular parking will only be at the Strickland parking lot, and handicapped parking will be at Strong School.

Shuttle buses are provided to transport visitors from the parking lots to the fairgrounds. There is no visitor parking available directly on the fairgrounds.

Note: school buses are used to shuttle fairgoers between the parking lots and the fairgrounds. They are usually full, and therefore are not able to accommodate large strollers, wagons, and other bulky items.

Small collapsible strollers are typically fine. If you do need to bring bulkier items to the fair, it may be easier for you to use one of the privately-operated parking lots within walking distance of the fairgrounds.

Handicapped parking will be at the Frank Ward Strong School on Thursday, and at CRHS Friday through Sunday. Special buses for use by handicapped persons are available to provide transportation from the parking area to the fairgrounds. A valid state permit is required to park in the handicapped parking lot.

Directions

The Durham Fair is located at the junctions of Routes 68, 17 and 77 in Durham, CT.

GPS Addresses of Parking Lots

• Strickland’s Pkg. Lot: 385 Cherry Hill Rd., Middlefield
• Greenbacker’s Pkg. Lot: 150 Wallingford Rd., Durham
• Wimler’s Pkg. Lot: 601 Guilford Rd., Durham
• Strong School (handicapped pkg., Thurs. only): 185 Main St. (Rte. 17), Durham
• CRHS (handicapped pkg., Fri. thru Sun.): 135 Pickett Lane (off of Rte. 17), Durham
• DFA Office: 24 Townhouse Rd., Durham
• White’s Pkg. Lot: 41 Maple Ave., Durham (volunteers & vendors)

Photo Credit: Durham Fair Association