50 Years of Common Ground
Celebrating 50 Years of the Common Ground Country Fair
Poster Exhibition
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is celebrating the 50th annual Common Ground Country Fair this year, with a number of events including including Fifty Years of Common Ground, an exhibition of five decades of the the posters of the Common Ground Country Fair. The exhibition will be held at the Maine State House in Augusta, June 1 through August 30, and at Waterville Creates in Waterville, September 4 through 30, in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission and Waterville Creates. A full-color catalog will accompany the exhibition.
Since 1977, the fair has been more than an annual event, it has been a gathering place rooted in organic agriculture, food justice, environmental stewardship, and the belief that communities can shape healthier futures together. The fair’s posters are among the most visible and enduring expressions of that collaborative work. Seen together, they offer a visual and cultural history of Maine’s organic movement and the shared values that have guided it.
The exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Maine State House Gallery
June 1 – August 30, 2026
230 State Street, Augusta
Opening Reception
June 11, 3-6pm
Details coming soon.
Waterville Creates, Ticonic Gallery
September 4–30, 2026
93 Main Street, Waterville
Opening Celebration
September 4, 4-8pm
Details coming soon.
The Silent Auction
The MOFGA Silent Auction was a special fundraising event celebrating the 50th annual Common Ground Country Fair and was a great success! Thank you to all who participated. This milestone auction featured exclusive Fair memorabilia, one-of-a-kind experiences, and items from beloved Fair vendors, artists, and longtime community partners.
Purpose
Proceeds from the Silent Auction support MOFGA’s mission to advance organic agriculture, food justice, and sustainable communities in Maine. Funds raised help sustain farmer education, organic certification, food access work, and preservation efforts that have been at the heart of the Fair for 50 years.
What you'll find
- Exclusive Common Ground Country Fair memorabilia from past decades, including signs and t-shirts
- Experiences you can’t buy anywhere else, such as a private one-hour meet and greet with the herding dogs during the 50th fair
- Items and gift certificates from favorite Fair vendors and artisans
- Farm, food, and Maine-made packages celebrating the Fair community
Why it matters
For 50 years, the Common Ground Country Fair has brought people together around shared values of organic farming, community care, creativity, and joy. This auction is a way to celebrate that legacy while investing in the future of the Fair and the work that makes it possible.
Who can participate
The auction is open to MOFGA members, Fair fans, and the general public, whether you’ve attended one Fair or all fifty.
Contact
For questions, donations, or more information:
Mary Weitzman
Director of Membership & Development
[email protected]
