The Maine Artisan Bread Fair
July 27, 2024
The Skowhegan State Fairgrounds
9am-3pm
The Maine Artisan Bread Fair is one of a kind. It is a fair dedicated solely to real bread and everything associated with this most ancient and central staple. The Maine Grain Alliance has sponsored the Bread Fair for fourteen years and the offerings have grown each year. While you will be captivated by the wares in each booth, you will also be able tantalize your taste buds as you sample foods ranging from pizzas cooked in wood-fired ovens, fresh sourdough loaves, sweet pastries, and a variety of other locally produced delicious food.
Come for the artisan halvah, maple syrup, jams, butter, cheese, the best books and equipment for baking at home, professional bakers to answer your questions, live music, beautiful kitchen linens, demos, and superb Maine made foods!
The Details:
DATE: Saturday, July 27th 2024
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
PLACE: Skowhegan State Fairgrounds
COST: Free! Everyone is invited, and we encourage you to bring your family and friends to enjoy
PARKING: $5
Vendors: Over 60 vendors await you at the Artisan Bread Fair. Please see the list below, continually updated.
From 95 North, take exit 133 (Waterville/Skowhegan) onto Rt. 201 North and head to Skowhegan. At the light in Skowhegan, take a right and go into town. Go around the rotary of buildings and take a right. About 1 mile on left is the entrance to the fairgrounds. Next to Wal-Mart.
From 95 South, Take exit 157 (Newport/Skowhegan), turn slight right onto ME-100/ME-11 north, take a sharp left onto Main Street/Route 2 south. Follow Route 2 into Skowhegan, go through the rotary, turn right onto Madison Avenue About 1 mile on left is the entrance to the fairgrounds. Next to Wal-Mart.
2024 Bread Fair Made Possible Through Generous Sponorships From:
Contributor Sponsor ($10000+)
Contributor Sponsor ($5000+)
Leader Sponsor ($2500+)
Benefactor Sponsor ($1000+)
Benefactor Sponsor ($1000+)
Benefactor Sponsor ($1000+)
Patron Sponsor ($200+)
General Guidelines for the Artisan Bread Fair:
1. The ABF does not permit pets on the fairgrounds or in the parking area. Animals left in cars or tied up may be removed by the local animal control officer.
2. ABF enforces Maine laws prohibiting public drinking of alcohol and use of illegal drugs on the fairgrounds.
3. Audio and video devices are prohibited unless they are part of an approved demonstration or display.
4. Littering is prohibited. Please control all waste and convey it to the receptacles provided throughout the fair and police your area at the end of the day.
5. ABF assumes no liability for damage to or loss of personal property.
2024 Bread Fair Workshops
New York Style Bagels
9:30-11:30am
$20 (Space is limited, pre registration required)
Join Jeff Mao for a workshop focused on baking New York-style bagels. We will explore the what makes bagel baking different than most breads, and what really matters when creating this iconic New York bake — it’s not the water. We will learn to hand-roll bagels including how to achieve a smooth shiny crust and creating the signature hole. You’ll gain practical skills to bake bagels in a home kitchen. The bagels made during the workshop will feature locally produced Maine Grains flour. Experience the unique flavor and quality of our regional grains!
Jeff operates Knead & Nosh, a micro-bakery in Brunswick, Maine. Knead & Nosh produces hand-crafted bagels as well as offers baking and cooking classes with a focus on things made with dough. He is the author of Essential Chinese Hot Pot Cookbook, and is currently working on a bagel cookbook.
Introduction to Sourdough Baking
12pm-1:30pm
$20 (Space is limited, pre registration required)
Ready to elevate your baking skills? Join our class to master the art of sourdough! Learn to maintain your starter, choose the right flour, and perfect shaping and scoring techniques.
Meet Your Instructor: Michael Hicks
Michael Hicks, owner of Expanding Circles Bakery in Tallahassee, Florida, specializes in naturally leavened breads and pastries made with local, organic ingredients. Inspired by European baking traditions, Michael is passionate about raising the standard of American bread.
Free Tempeh Workshop with Tootie’s Tempeh
Saturday, July 27th | Maine Artisan Bread Fair | Skowhegan State Fairgrounds
Join Sarah Speare, Co-Founder and CEO of Tootie’s Tempeh, for a free, fun, and informative workshop all about tempeh! Sarah will explain what tempeh is, show different ways to prepare it, and end with a delicious treat – tempeh bacon for everyone to enjoy!
Come learn, taste, and have fun with tempeh!
Music at the 2024 Bread Fair:
9-11am
Some Reel People
Some Reel People is a joyous and ever-evolving traditional country dance
band from the Dexter area, playing jigs, reels, waltzes and polkas.
Their combined sound of fiddles, guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass, cello,
accordions, and recorder will make you want to dance! We are the house
band for the Central Hall Commons Contradances in Dover-Foxcroft, and
play other dances and concerts at various venues around the area.
Members include Sue Abel, Valerie Albertini, Sam Brown, Donna Burt, Ruth
Fogg, Toby Hall, Beth McEvoy, Stuart Moore, Dave Pearson, Jody Richmond,
Allison Aldrich Smith, and Hunt Smith
11am-1pm
Sagittarius Rising
We are twin sisters who create original music, animations, and films.
1pm-3pm
Loneheart
Blending influences from American Bluegrass, Jazz and solid heartfelt Country.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554500877735
2024 Vendors Include:
Grey Goose Gourmet
Whittle Bird Coffee
Wholly Crow
FIORE Artisan Olive Oils And Vinegars
Ancestral French Soaps
Whitehill Farm
Jones Limited
Sawyer’s Maple Farm
The Maine Meal
The Potter’s House
the beavers lodge
The Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste
Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchants
Maine Sauce and Provisions LLC
Farm House Coffee Roasters
Sunrise Bagel
The Good Crust
Marston Country Crafts
Alora WoodMaine Somerset Beekeepers Club
The Gluten Free Kitchen
Tootie’s Tempeh
The Scone Goddess
Roses Sourdough
Mr. Sea’s Seafood
Pen & Cob Farm
Crooked Face Creamery
The Farm on Winter Hill
Savagesse
Sprig Woodwork
Maine Somerset Beekeepers Club
The Gluten Free Kitchen
Tootie’s Tempeh
The Scone Goddess
Roses Sourdough
Mr. Sea’s Seafood
Pen & Cob Farm
Spark Bagel
Midsummer Night’s Meadow Farm
Yo Momma’s Apron Strings
BreadPots.com
Fresh Harvest in a Jar
Dragon’s Breath Pottery
Sweet Monkey Business
Balfour Farm
Kittylamb
Sonshine Meadows Goat Milk Soap
Hootenanny Bread
Stone Fox Farm Creamery
Maine Grains and the Miller’s Table
B&T Baked Goods
Just Crackers
Springdale Farm Creamery
Old Glory Bees and Honey
Maine Farmland Trust
Tuition builders
Blue Earth Bags
North Star Orchards
Marston Country Crafts
The Maine Meal
Midsummer Night’s Meadow farm
Portable Pie Place
Trudys Garden
Rusted Rooster Farm LLC
ChiGoBee Farm
Willows Highlands
Crooked Face Creamery
The Farm on Winter Hill
Savagesse
Tupperware by charlin
Concepta’s Studio
Alice’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade & Energy teas
Harvest Maine
2024 Vendor Guidelines
Click Here to Read Vendor Guidelines
Appropriate Applicants and Criteria:
Food Vendors:
Bakers of artisan breads of all kinds. Bakers must produce their wares in the State of Maine, with
at least a portion of the process done by hand. There is no restriction on the type of flour used,
but if possible, use of locally grown grains where possible would be appreciated. Local grain
production is part of the overall mission of the Maine Grain Alliance which sponsors the
Kneading Conference and the Fair.
If you are going to be selling food, you MUST produce your wares in a State Certified manner
and this is your responsibility.
Bread Fair Guidelines
Setup time: The grounds will be open at 7:00 A.M. and the fair will start promptly at 9:00, July 27th.
Fair Director: Dusty Dowse, dustydowse@aol.com
Vendor Coordinator: Patti Dowse Docqs@aol.com
- Vendors are not permitted to change booth space as assigned by the fair committee.
- Vendors must restrict their activities to the booth space assigned, and hawking of wares is prohibited.
- The Bread Fair does not provide tables, chairs, or display hardware or racks. The vendors are responsible for furnishing the space assigned.
- Signs and banners can be attached to tent poles, walls etc. only by string or tape.
- No holes may be dug.
- Fires may be built only in approved ovens or other devices.
- Any vendor using cooking equipment must have a 40 BC-minimum fire extinguisher.
- The Fire Marshal requires that propane tanks be secured firmly on a hard, non-combustible surface such as cement blocks.
- Vendors should prepare for inclement weather.
- Vendors must be set up and ready by the start of the fair at 9:00 AM, Saturday, July 27th.
- Booths must be staffed for the duration of the fair.
- Vendors should bring adequate wares, etc. to last for the duration of the fair.
- Vendors should not begin to break down displays, booths, etc. until the fair is over at 3:00 and the Director or Vendor Coordinator gives notice.
- All booth materials brought must be removed completely.
- Vendors must report earnings and worker’s pay to the IRS and the State of Maine.
- The State of Maine requires that commercial vendors be listed and their tax ID numbers be reported to
the State Tax Office. - Vendors must obtain any necessary liability and general insurance coverage for their activities and must adhere to all local and state ordinances. The Fair maintains no vendor coverage.
2024 Vendor Application
Please complete the online vendor application, or:
Download and mail your application to:
Maine Grain Alliance, Attn: Kayla Starr, 146 Cleveland Rd Embden, ME 04958
We will assess applications upon receipt, and quickly alert everyone with the results as soon after April 24th as practicable. Space allowing, we may accept applications after that date.
Vendor Details & Pricing
We cannot supply tables, chairs, or other equipment.
Booth Space: $75
