UNION — Union Fair has signed a multi year contract with Smokey’s Greater Shows to bring midway carnival rides to the 151st Annual Union Fair - Maine Wild Blueberry Festival, according to Union Fair president Matt Elwell, in a news release.

This new partnership will be the first time Smokey’s Greater Shows has appeared at the Union Fair - Maine Wild Blueberry Festival.

“Smokey’s will bring their fun and exciting rides that all ages will enjoy, from toddlers to those young at heart,” said the release. “Some rides have never appeared at the Union Fair.”

Smokey’s Greater Shows is the only Maine based carnival company that’s been in business for over 60 years. Smokey’s Greater Shows partners with several fairs throughout the State of Maine. They are excited to add the Union Fair to their “family of fairs.”

The 151st Union Fair - Maine Wild Blueberry Festival will be 2 1⁄2 weeks earlier, moving from the third Saturday in August to Wednesday, July 27 - Sunday, July 31. Although the agricultural fair will be shortened from eight days to five there still will be eight days of events. From Sunday, July 24- Thursday, July 28, Harness Racing will occur daily starting at 2 p.m.

“After last year's fair the Union Fair Trustees started to discuss and make some tough decisions in deciding how to improve the fair and make it a better experience for our patrons,” said Union Fair. “The first decision that was immediately made was to move the fair to July and shorten the dates. This decision was based on several factors including vendors who found it hard to find staff that could work in their booths for eight full days. Farmers, due to fair scheduling, had to go to several local fairs back to back without a break in dates.

“The carnival company did not have enough time to break down before setting up for the next fair. Finally, the fair itself in recent years has had difficulty finding enough volunteers to fully support an eight day fair, of which three days were on a weekend.

“As the newly elected President of the Union Fair and with help from existing and new members on the Executive Board we are dedicated to bringing a refreshed fair with new programs to the residents of the Midcoast Area and those who are traveling from away.”

Please go to www.UnionFair.org for general information, announcements on entertainment, events, and fair schedule. Union Fair can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Union-Fair-The-Maine-Wild-Blueberry-Festival-272498443756/.