6 Reasons to Visit the Middlesex County Fair Day after Day

The 86th annual Middlesex County Fair is so big that they have to celebrate it with not one, but two fireworks shows. They'll open Monday, Aug. 5 with fireworks and crowning the fair king and queen, and they'll close Sunday, Aug. 11 with fireworks, too.

Around 85,000 people attend or participate in the fair each year, so organizers are making it easier to enjoy everything each day has to offer with multi-day tickets. The week-long admission ticket gives you two days of admission free at $50 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-10 and for seniors 65 and older. It's only available online, so click here to order now. They also offer daily admission tickets.

The schedule is so packed with fun, you'll find so many reasons to come back for more. Here are our six favorites:

1) Night after night of great musical performances. After the Reign is back again with country music on Saturday night, while the Face First Band will be taking the main stage on Friday night. Also scheduled are:

Monday: Bon Poison (A Bon Jovi tribute band)
Tuesday: Level Up Bank
Wednesday: Jess Kellie Adams Band
Thursday: River of Dreams (Billy Joel tribute band)
Sunday: Productionz LLC DJ

2) Enjoy aerial thrill tricks by the celebrated The High Flying Cortes Trapeze Spectacular. This multi-generation troupe has performed with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Big Apple Circus, and Circus Flora. They are bringing their trapeze acts to our fair, with multiple performances a day: 6 and 9 p.m. Monday - Friday; 2, 5:30, and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

3) Just so much for the kids to do. Aside from the rides, Kris Clayton Stilt Walker will be performing daily, while the Comedy Hypnosis Show, Mythicreatures, Agri-Puppets, the Singing Cowboys, and more all are prepared to delight and enrapture the youngest fair attendees. The All-American Pig Races are back, too!

4) UWA Elite Wrestling is presenting a whopping 22 shows throughout fair week. The UWA Elite Crossroads supercard will be a full two-hour event on Saturday night.

5) Meet the fair king and queen. The fair has all the traditions you associate with county fairs, including crowning a king and queen (ages 7-11) and a prince and princess (ages 4-6) during Monday night's opening ceremonies.

6) Celebrate local agriculture (and maybe learn a little more about it.) The fair offers dozens of educational exhibits, including home arts and antique farm equipment. There's even a display to encourage children to think about if they'd like to be a farmer when they grow up.

For a full listing of events and exhibits and to grab your tickets, see middlesexcountyfair.com. There's tons of fun for all ages!