Local traditions are part of what has kept many communities going for so long. Nowhere is this more true than in New England, where our communities go back for centuries. Fairs and festivals became one way to embrace small-town communities among not only the local residents but also visitors from afar. One of these fairs is one of the oldest festivals in New Hampshire and it’s still going strong in the small town of Deerfield.

Originally part of Nottingham, Deerfield became its own town when then-Governor Benning Wentworth was presented a deer as part of the deal.
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
The Deerfield Fair was established in 1876 and is billed as "New England's Oldest Family Fair."
Deerfield Fair Association Inc.
Deerfield was bypassed by the 19th-century railroad boom and instead created the Deerfield Fait to attract visitors.
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
The four-day event celebrates autumn with produce, crafts, agriculture, and of course, amusement rides.
Deerfield Fair Association Inc.
The current fairgrounds reside on a site of a camp established in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Deerfield Fair Association Inc.
But the fair wasn't always held here. In its early days it was held at the Old Town Hall and it wasn't an annual event.
Deerfield Fair Association Inc.
Today, the Deerfield Fair is an expansive event. There's something for everyone at this classic New England celebration.
Deerfield Fair/Facebook
In 2018, the fair was notable for exhibiting the largest pumpkin in the United States. The massive gourd weighed in at a whopping 2,528 pounds.
Deerfield Fair/Facebook
Vendors are welcome to participate and the fair is always on the lookout for new and unique additions to its vendor lineup.
Deerfield Fair/Facebook

Be sure to put the Deerfield Fair, one of the oldest festivals in New Hampshire, on your to-do list for the upcoming autumn season. For complete information, visit the Deerfield Fair website and follow Deerfield Fair on Facebook for the latest updates. October can be chilly around these parts, so make sure your visit to the Deerfield Fair is a warm and comfortable one.

Autumn isn’t the only time to enjoy fairs and festivals in New Hampshire. Test your tolerance for hot sauce at this summertime gathering, or dust off from the long winter at this springtime festival.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Related Articles

Explore New Hampshire

Featured Addresses
Deerfield Fair, 34 Stage Rd, Deerfield, NH 03037, USA