Accessibility & Visitor Info

The Common Ground Country Fair is held on-site at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine. The fairgrounds consist of 250-plus acres of fields, woods and hills in rural Maine. Most of the Fair exhibits and activities take place within a 40-acre parcel around the main building. Explore this page to learn about accessibility and read our fairground guidelines. 

Accessibility

Pet Policy

Accommodation

Camping

Fair Guidelines

Accessibility

MOFGA provides free admission to the Fair for persons with disabilities, as well as free admission for one aid per person with disabilities.

The Common Ground Country Fair is located on 250-plus acres of fields, woods and hills in rural Maine. Most of the Fair exhibits and activities take place within a 40-acre parcel around the main building. While we make efforts to accommodate fairgoers with mobility challenges, we want people to recognize that there are parts of the property that may be difficult to access for individuals in wheelchairs or who are dependent on canes or walkers. People with such challenges find it helpful to come with assistants who can help them get around.

Here are some tips to help you plan your visit:

  • Parking — We provide accessible parking spots in both the North and South Parking Lots.
  • Accessible parking in the North Lot (on the Unity side of MOFGA’s property) is near the ticket gates.
  • Accessible parking in the South Lot (on the Thorndike end of MOFGA’s property) is near the tractor-pulled wagon shuttle, which transports fairgoers to the ticket gates on the south end of the fairgrounds.
  • Please note that capacity in the accessible parking areas is not without limits.
    These areas do fill up on occasion. Our volunteer parking crew monitors the accessible parking areas continually to fill spaces as they open up. Saturday is generally our busiest day, depending on the weather, so you might consider coming on Friday or Sunday.

Grounds and Walkways — The fairgrounds are expansive. Getting from point A to point B can take some time, especially when there are lots of people walking along with you. It’s a good idea to look at the fairgrounds map when planning your schedule for the day. There is a paved ring road that encircles The Common, the Exhibition Hall and several of the main vendor/exhibitor areas of the Fair. This road has a smooth surface and provides access, or at least a vantage point, to most areas of the Fair. This is the only paved surface on the grounds. The majority of the grounds is comprised of either turf or dirt walkways, which we attempt to keep free of rocks and divots.

Restrooms — There are accessible facilities in the bathrooms in the main building, next to the Exhibition Hall, and in the restrooms on the west side of the fairgrounds near the Poultry Barn. We also have accessible port-a-potties in several locations around the grounds. See the map in the Fairbook for specific locations.

Assistance — Please note, we do not have carts or wheelchairs available for individual fairgoer use. Members of our volunteer safety team provide assistance for fairgoers who are in distress.

Service Animals — Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability are welcome on the Fairgrounds.

Sensory Friendly Fair Guide — The Common Ground Country Fair is committed to building sensory-aware, inclusive spaces. We know that big, bustling events can sometimes feel overwhelming. We created a Sensory Friendly Fair Guide to help Fairgoers navigate the day with more ease and comfort. So you can plan your visit with more confidence, we’ve developed a color-coded sensory friendly fair map that highlights areas of the Fair by stimulation level: high-stimulation zones, low-stimulation zones, and essential services, and includes other helpful tips. Read the guide here. 

Pet Policy

Pets are strictly prohibited from the fairgrounds, parking lots (including parked cars) and camping areas.

If you are traveling long distance with your pet(s), please contact a pet kennel in the area:

Service animals, dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, are welcome on the Fairgrounds.

Service animals, dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, are welcome on the Fairgrounds.

Accommodation Suggestions for the Common Ground Country Fair

The following list includes a wide range of accommodation options for vendors, volunteers and fairgoers. Neither MOFGA nor the Common Ground Country Fair assumes any responsibility for reservations, accommodations or overall experiences at any of the establishments listed below. Any business relationship established between any vendor, exhibitor, volunteer or fairgoer, and any proprietor of any listed establishment is made independently of MOFGA and the Common Ground Country Fair. All phone numbers have a 207 area code unless otherwise indicated. For updates or corrections, please contact [email protected]. 

Accommodation

Accommodations in Waldo County and the Midcoast Area

For additional help, call the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce at 207-338-5900.

  • Alden House B&B — Belfast Phone: 207-218-1110 Website: www.thealdenhouse.com
  • Belfast Harbor Inn – Belfast Phone: 207-338-2740 Email: [email protected] Website: www.belfastharborinn.com
  • Cornerton Air BnB – Enjoy an evening sunset from the outdoor hot tub in this newly-constructed and cozy rural home – only 14 minutes from the fairgrounds. Accommodates for up to four people, full kitchen, television and sound system, king size bed, full bath, rural setting.
  • Cozy Lakeside Cabin on Unity Pond – Common Ground Fair Weekend Rental – Available Thursday, September 18 – Monday, September 22. $1,800 for the weekend | Check-in: 4 p.m. | Check-out: 11 a.m. This charming cabin is located on the quiet south end of Unity Pond, near the Common Ground Fair. The flat, open front yard features a large deck and 200 feet of waterfront, perfect for games and access by vehicle or watercraft. Enjoy summer and winter fishing, and breathtaking views of the full 4 miles of the lake. The sleeping loft sleeps four, and there’s a private master bedroom. Access is from a town road. Email: Karenstadig@com
  • Fireside Inn & Suites – Belfast Phone: 207-338-2090 Website: firesideinnbelfast.com 
  • The Moorings Ocean Front Campground, RV sites only — Belfast Phone: 207-338-6860 Website: www.mooringscamp.com  Email: [email protected].
  • The Family Camp in Searsmont on Lake Quantabacook — 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 with twin beds) and pull out couch on screened porch. Good swimming and boating, non-smoking, no parties/pets; 3 night minimum stay. Phone: 207-323-0817 Email: [email protected]. 
  • Seascape Motel & Cottages — Belfast Phone: 207-338-2130 Website: www.seascapemotel.com E-mail: [email protected]
  • Yankee Clipper Motel — Belfast Phone: 207-338-2353 Website: www.yankeeclippermotelbelfast.com  Email: [email protected]
  • The Barn Loft Apartment in Damariscotta — Sleeps 6 kitchen/bath/laundry. Contact [email protected] or 207-380-1298. One hour’s drive to the fair.

Accommodations in Montville/Searsport (30-40 minutes from Fairgrounds, 5-10 minutes north of Belfast)

  • Cottage in Liberty — 15 Miles from the Common Ground Country Fair Charming waterfront cottage on Lake St. George with a full bath, 2 bedrooms (1 queen and 2 singles). Boats on site. Walking distance to the village. Contact Michelle Delahanty with questions. Phone: 1-609-203-1803 (c) Email: [email protected]
  • Yardarm Motel — Searsport Phone: 548-2404 Website: yardarmmotel.com
  • Searsport Shores Campground Phone: 207-548-6059 Website: www.maineoceancamping.com Email: [email protected]
  • Captain Nickels Inn — Searsport Phone: 207-548-1104 Website: www.captainnickelsinn.com Email: [email protected]
  • The Moorings II Campground – RV sites only — Phone: 207-338-6860 Website: https://mooringscamp.com/about-moorings-searsport/ Email: [email protected].
  • Steamboat Wharf Cabins – Stockton Springs 6 Tiny house cabins each with a Queen bed and accommodation for 2.  Book directly on our website. Website: www.steamboatwharfcabins.com Email: [email protected]

Accommodations in Waterville/Fairfield Area (~30 minutes west)
For additional help contact the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce at 207-873-3315.

Oakland/Belgrade (~40-50 minutes west)

Skowhegan and Dexter (~50 minutes northwest and north)

Accommodations in Bangor Area (~45 minutes from Unity)
For additional help contact the Bangor Area Chamber of Commerce at 207-947-0307.

Camping

Camping Within a Few Miles of MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair Grounds (listed in order of distance away from MOFGA)
  • Farwell’s Corner Campground, Unity RV, tent or camper, and for those wishing to stay at the Fair for the weekend. Located 1.25 miles from MOFGA’s fairgrounds at 479 Town Farm Road in Unity. You can walk, bike or take the mini-shuttle to the Fair. Phone: 274-7590. Starts taking reservations in August. 
  • Bioregional Conservancy Retreat (BCRT) Thorndike Camping — families welcome, tent camping, yurts for rent, self-contained RV’s. Indoor and outdoor facilities including showers, trails, food forest tours, and pasture for large animals upon request. Visitors who are looking for a farm experience are welcome to participate with some farm chores such as feeding, gardening, apple harvest, and construction. Founders of the Food Forest Project, food forest tours incl. wild edibles and flowers of the season as well as a brief intro into geobiology and magnetic earth fields of Gaia. Reservations requested. Ask for Roger or Martina. [email protected]; phone 207-568-3139.
  • Waterfront Camp/Cottage on Unity Pond — 6 miles from the Fair located on Horseback Road on Unity Pond. Sleeps up to 6 people. Ask for Linda. Phone: 207-314-1218 E-mail: [email protected].
  • Unity Guesthouse — close to MOFGA and Hills-to-Sea hiking trails, 2 story house, on 100-plus acres. 2 bedrooms, sleeps 1-6, full bath, kitchen, heat, Wi-Fi. Available May-Oct. Contact Julia, email: [email protected], 909-621-0720. Booked for 2025 Fair but other dates available.
  • Cabin – Thorndike heated cabin (2015) with a full bath, hot water on demand, sitting area and 2 bedrooms, one with a bunk bed sleeping a total of four people. Five minutes away from the Fair. Ask for Jon Laitin, 207-877-5880 or Martha Laitin, 207-323-2368. Website: www.thorndikecabin.org. Booked for the 2025 Fair weekend.
  • Check out HipCamp at https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US for camping areas close to the Common Ground Country Fair.  
  • (Booked for 2025 Fair) Casa Portal Guesthouse – Located in Brooks on the Bramble & Bramble Farm. 15 minutes from the fairgrounds. 1840s restored guesthouse on a private sheep farm, formerly Rolling Meadows Retreats, now Casa Portal Retreats. 4 rooms, sleeps up to 8 guests, 2 baths, living/dining room, wi-fi, private entrance & great lawn. Enjoy watching the sheep graze. An additional 2 private cabins that can accommodate 4 guests are also available for rent. Kids over 10. No smoking. no pets. 2 night minimum. Sept 16-22 Contact: Melissa & Pete for rates and availability. email: [email protected] text: 207-323-3016. https://www.casaportalretreats.com/about
  • Deering Acres Campground – Primitive tenting and room for self-contained RVS. No hookups. Located in Brooks, just 10 miles from the Common Ground Country Fair. 90 Veterans Highway (Route 7). Contact Kimberly Wood. Phone: 207-332-3751 Email: [email protected].
  • Large wilderness cabin on Hogback mountain in Montville Can sleep up to 5 people with extra sleeping bunks in the carriage house. Convenient to fairgrounds off Rt. 220 in Montville. Convenient to fairgrounds and quick access to Hills to Sea Trail. Contact Kay or Hurley for reservations Phone: 207-631-1023. 
  • Green Valley Campground — Vassalboro Phone: 207-923-3000 Website: www.greenvalleycampground.us.
  • Summer home — 3 miles from MOFGA on Lake Winnecook (Unity pond) Two bedrooms (1 queen and 1 double), kitchen, living room, bath, and screened porch overlooking the lake. Non-Smoking and no pets. Phone: 207-745-2932. E-mail: [email protected]. Booked for 2025.
  • RV site with patio — electricity, and water hookup. Located approx. 3 miles from MOFGA on Lake Winnecook (Unity pond). 3 night minimum. Phone: 207-745-2932 E-mail: [email protected].
  • Friends Camp — located at 729 Lakeview Drive in South China, about 20 miles from the fairgrounds. Space open in rustic cabins or for camping, email [email protected], call 207-877-4302, or online at https://www.friendscamp.org/common-ground-fair.
  • Sunset Pines Cottages — on China Lake in China (18.2 miles from MOFGA) For more information, contact Nick. Please leave your name, return number, email and a detailed message regarding your needs/request. Email: [email protected] Phone: 207-968-2197.
  • Tranquility in Coastal Maine Campsite #1 – Get away from it all when you stay under the stars. Rural campsites available in coastal Maine. Minutes to Belfast, mountain views overlooking our fields and Icelandic Sheep. Quiet, private, and serene. Camp in the backyard, or the back eighty. You choose. No tents/gear provided, so you will need to bring your own.(

Pet Kennels

Pets are strictly prohibited from the fairgrounds, parking lots (including parked cars) and camping areas.

If you are traveling long distance with your pet(s), please contact a pet kennel in the area. See the section above for some suggestions.

The following guidelines apply to all people attending the Fair in any capacity.
  • Pets are not permitted on the fairgrounds or in the Fair parking areas. Animals tied to trees or cars, or left within vehicles (whether locked or not), may be removed by the local animal control officer
  • No smoking on the fairgrounds, except for the designated smoking area across from the Fair Office.
  • Fair participants may not build fires without written permission from the CGCF office.
  • The CGCF strictly enforces Maine laws prohibiting public drinking of alcohol and use of illegal drugs on the fairgrounds and in the Fair parking lots.
  • Unauthorized possession of firearms, weapons or explosives is not allowed on the Fairgrounds.
  • The CGCF prohibits from the fairgrounds audio and video devices audible to the general public unless they are part of a CGCF-approved demonstration.
  • Fair participants may not feed livestock or other display animals unless they are tending their own animals.
  • Fair participants may not litter.
  • Fair participants may not bring skateboards, bicycles or other unauthorized wheeled vehicles on the fairgrounds.
  • The CGCF office assumes no liability for damage to or loss of personal property.
  • All demonstrations must be approved by the CGCF office. Busking is not allowed.
  • Kites are not allowed. Drones are not allowed unless specially authorized by the CGCF Office in writing.
  • Harassment (verbal, physical, or sexual) and physical altercations are not allowed.
Common Ground Country Fair recognizes the unique perspectives of the various cultures represented in Maine and at the Fair. In order to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at our events, MOFGA staff and the Fair Steering Committee are working with community members on new guidelines to address these issues.
Until those have been approved, we ask all participants to act with respect in their interactions, presentations, and marketing.
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Landsmith Farm in Waldoboro, Maine, organically grows a wide variety of high-quality, tasty vegetables, herbs, willow, and cut flowers using practices that prioritize the health of the land and its stewards. Their products are sold wholesale and direct-to-consumer through a variety of channels, including a farm stand, pick-your-own garden, and a future CSA (community supported agriculture) program. Landsmith Farm is owned and operated by Erin Espinosa, whose identities as a queer latina woman farmer ground the farm in values of reciprocity, community, and perseverance.

 

Visit Ladsmith Farm on Instagram @landsmithfarm and on their Website.

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