GREENFIELD — As the Franklin County Agricultural Society gears up to entertain an estimated 25,000 people from across the region at its 175th Franklin County Fair, society President Michael Nelson said the event is sticking to its agricultural roots.

“We have, again this year, one of our biggest cattle shows that we’ve had in many years. We want to continue to show the importance of agriculture, which is the backbone of our fair,” Nelson said. “As we continue to grow, we’re continuing to find ways to keep making these fairs better and better, but also keep some of those sentimental, nostalgic acts, because we know how important they are to people.”

On Friday at 4 p.m., Nelson will join state Sen. Jo Comerford, Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, state Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane to speak about the significance of the fair’s 175th anniversary.

Friday’s ceremony, Nelson said, also commemorates the 125th anniversary of the iconic Roundhouse building, which has stood as the fairgrounds’ main fixture since 1899. It also celebrates the series of lighting, accessibility, security and infrastructure improvements Nelson referred to as the “New Fairgrounds.”

“Since 2021, through a combination of federal and state grants, as well as our own contributions, we’ve invested $1.6 million in infrastructure repairs at the fairgrounds, which is a pretty unheard of, an unprecedented amount of money for any nonprofit to make happen, but certainly in a relatively small community like ours,” Nelson said.

This year’s fair kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday with a parade and will continue through Sunday evening. The four-day fair will feature a variety of entertainment ranging from familiar classics such as the Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs) and the Hager’s Farm fried dough eating contest to new acts such as the Team East BMX/FMX Stunt Show or the Flippenout Trampoline Show. The Hangar Wing Eating Contest is also new this year. Other returning acts include the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, the XPOGO Stunt Team and Pirate Man Dan.

“I look forward to seeing absolutely everything. That’s why we bring them in. I’m interested in watching Flippenout, they’re the newest entertainment to our fair this year,” Agricultural Society Entertainment Director Steve DeJoy said. “All of our entertainment is excellent, and there’s really not one that stands out from the others.”

The annual Franklin County Emergency Services Parade is scheduled for Sunday morning. Cameron Dunbar, who chairs the Franklin County Fire Chiefs Association’s Parade Committee, said step-off is slated for 11 a.m. and the parade will proceed along Main Street to the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. on Franklin Street.

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The event includes police and fire departments and ambulances from Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire counties in Massachusetts, as well as towns in southern Vermont and southern New Hampshire, which are part of the tri-state fire mutual aid system. Dunbar said 50 and 60 pieces of apparatus typically participate.

“Most Franklin County towns send something if they can,” he said.

Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan said his department usually has a few pieces of apparatus in the parade.

“It’s been held every year for as long as I can remember,” he said, adding that he has been with the department nearly 30 years. “I would say it’s well-attended.”

Turners Falls Fire Chief Todd Brunelle said his department will likely send a modern vehicle and an antique one, possibly a 1927 American LaFrance Type 145.

“There’s typically a pretty large crowd that comes out for the Emergency Services Parade throughout the route,” Brunelle said.

This year’s fair will include free downtown parking and shuttle buses from the Olive Street parking garage to the Wisdom Way fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Reach Domenic Poli at dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

Fair ScheduleThursday, Sept. 5

3 p.m. — Gates open.

4 p.m. — Midway opens

5 p.m. — Kick-Off Parade.

5:45 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs)

6:30 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

7:15 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

8 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

3 p.m. — Gates open.

4 p.m. — Midway opens.

4 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

4:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

5:45 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

6 p.m. — Reptiles of New England

6 p.m. — Team East BMX/FMX Stunt Show.

6:30 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

6:45 p.m. — Hangar Wing Eating Contest.

7:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

8 p.m. — Team East BMX/FMX Stunt Show.

8 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

8 a.m. — Gates open.

11:15 a.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

Noon — Midway opens.

Noon — Reptiles of New England.

Noon — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

12:15 p.m. — Performance by Greenfield Tae Kwon Do Center.

12:45 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

1 p.m. — Cornhole Tournament.

1 p.m. — Kids Power Wheel Demo Derby.

1:00 p.m. — Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue’s “Meet the Opossum” program.

1:30 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

2 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

2:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

2:30 p.m. — Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue’s “Meet the Opossum” program.

3 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

3:45 p.m. — Tom’s Long Hot Dogs of Whately Hot Dog Eating Contest

3:45 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

4 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

4:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5:30 p.m. — Truck Pull by CT Truck Pullers.

5:30 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan

6 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

6:45 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

7:30 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

8:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

8 a.m. — Gates open.

11 a.m. — Emergency Services Parade.

11 a.m. — Tom Ricardi’s Birds of Prey.

11:15 a.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

11:45 a.m. — Performance by North County Line Dancers.

Noon — Midway opens.

Noon — Reptiles of New England.

Noon — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

12:45 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

1 p.m. — Cornhole Tournament.

1:30 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

2 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

2:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

3 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

3:45 p.m. — Hager’s Farm Fried Dough Eating Contest.

3:45 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

4 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

4:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

6 p.m. — Reptiles of New England.

6 p.m. — Stoney Roberts’ Demolition Derby.

6 p.m. — Flippenout Trampoline Show.

6:45 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

7:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

Thursday, Sept. 5

6 p.m. — Music by Gabe Jay.

Friday, Sept. 6

4 p.m. — Music by Jamelot.

8 p.m. — Music by Mad ‘Atter.

Saturday, Sept. 7

11 a.m. — Music by Amber Chaves.

2:00 p.m. — Music by the Expandable Brass Band.

4:45 p.m. — Music by Wild Bill and the Flying Sparks.

7:30 p.m. — Music by Gravestone.

Sunday, Sept. 8

1 p.m. — Music by Ragged Blue.

4:45 p.m. — Music by Stealing Frequencies.

7:15 p.m. — Music by Matt Kim’s Rock Shop.

Draft Horses

Saturday

10:30 a.m. — 3,100 lb. Class.

1 p.m. — Kids Mini Pony Class (drivers 16 years old and younger).

3 p.m. — 3,400 lb. Class.

6 p.m. — Over 3.400 lb. Class.

Ox Pull

Sunday

9 a.m. — 2,500 lb. Class.

10:30 a.m. — 2,900 lb. Class.

12:30 p.m. — Kids 1,600 lb. Class (drivers 16 years old and younger).

2 p.m. — Over 3,300 lbs.

3:30 p.m. — FFA Class.

Youth Dairy Cattle

Saturday, 9 a.m.

Open Dairy Cattle

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

Youth Sheep

Saturday, 10 a.m.

Open Sheep

Sunday, 10 a.m.