It's time again to celebrate the agricultural bounty of Western Massachusetts! Going to a county or grange fair takes you back to a simpler time, when showing the prize-winning cow or growing the largest pumpkin meant more than winning the lottery. And where else can you witness events such thrilling events as tractor pulls or skillet throwing (I kid you not)? Here's a listing of upcoming Pioneer Valley Fairs — go out and have some good old-fashioned fun!

Middlefield Fair, 7 Bell Rd., Middlefield, August 9-11. Friday, 4:00 PM-11:00 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sunday 7:00 AM-11:00 PM. Demolition derby, 4X4truck pull. Mad Science stage shows Young Wizards All new carnival, horse & oxen pull, Bob Thomas family dance party, Just N' Kase Band, champagne jam, youth cattle, oxen & steer shows, women's skillet throwing, men's chainsaw.

18th Annual Wilbraham Peach Festival, August 16, 17, and 18. Booths, rides, entertainment and events include a cruise and car show, parade, fireworks, pancake breakfast, antique engine show. Visit http://www.peachfestival.org for complete information.

Cummington Fair, Fairgrounds Rd., Cummington, August 22-25. Thursday & Friday 4:00 PM -11 PM, Saturday & Sunday, 8:30 AM - 11:00 PM. 4 classes draft oxen, oxen parade, horse pulling - 3,000lbs. 3300lbs. Over 3300lbs. Under & over 1650 powder puff classes, under over 4750 three horse hitch classes, 4X4 truck pull, antique tractors/engines parade, antique car parade with Golden Agers.

Ware Grange Fair, Belchertown Rd., Ware, August 23 & 24. Fri. 5:00 PM -9:00 PM. Saturday 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Free. Anyone in Massachusetts may enter and it is not necessary to belong to the Grange. Entries may be brought in Thursday evening, Aug 22nd, from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM or Friday morning 9:00 AM-11:00 AM. Categories are vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, flowers, arrangements, house plants.

Shelburne Grange Fair, Little Mohawk Rd., Shelburne, August 24. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Free. Agricultural exhibits, children's games, musical entertainment, educational exhibits, food concessions, chicken BBQ, craft fair. Auction of produce & baked goods.

Blandford Fair, August 30 - September 2, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Horse, oxen & pony pulls, horse show, livestock shows, fiddle contest, stage shows, adult & youth hall exhibits, 4-wheel drive truck pulls, mini modified pulls, tractor pulls, antique engine show, antique car show, midway attractions & rides.

Franklin County Fair, Wisdom Way, Greenfield. September 5-8. Thursday, 3:00 PM-10:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM-10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday, 8:00 AM-9:00 PM. Demolition derby, Beetlemania, Gifford & Roy Magic, stage shows, agricultural displays, agricultural education area the unique Roundhouse and displays, baby barnyard, livestock competitions, Fiesta Shows, Midway area & games, Fair Museum, craft area.

Williamsburg Grange Fair, 10 Main St., Williamsburg, September 7, 11:00am-7:00pm. Free. Vegetable & handicraft displays, Auction 7:45pm. Bake sale & tag sale all day. Supper 6:00pm.

Belchertown Fair, Town Common, Main St., Belchertown, September 27-29. Friday, 3:00 PM-10:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday, Noon - 6:00 PM. Free. Large parade Saturday, 10:00 AM. Free activities, children's tent all weekend. Free adult entertainment tent, large exhibit hall, horse pull Sat. Ox draw Sun. 4-H working steers, antique tractor display Saturday. Many craft demos throughout.

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