Going to the Brooklyn Fair? What to know, from lawn mower racing to the skillet toss

The Brooklyn Fair attracts thousands of people to Eastern Connecticut in late summer.

The annual, multi-day event features several animal shows, a handful of eclectic races - from lawn mowers to cars made out of vegetables - a pageant and various demonstrations.

A carnival and midway is open every afternoon of the fair, live music plays from three stages, and there is a full slate of agricultural contests and shows - such as the tractor pull or Robinson's Racing Pigs - all four days.

There is also a schedule of activities geared toward children, including a farm-themed Playland, and downsized versions of some of the fair's big contests.

When and where is the Brooklyn Fair?

The Brooklyn Fairgrounds is located at 15 Fairgrounds Road, Brooklyn, Connecticut.

This year, the fair will be open Thursday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 28. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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The carnival, run by Ryan Amusements, is open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

What is there to do at the Brooklyn Fair?

See the full schedule at brooklynfair.org/daily-schedule/.

Competitions are a huge part of the fair, judging and testing livestock, vehicles, food, arts and crafts and people all four days. Win back your fair admittance fee with the skillet toss, open only to women. Rules for the toss don't say how heavy the skillet is, but the competition is split into six age groups, with winners throwing the farthest in a straight line.

Live music plays from three stages, farm animals are housed in several buildings and taken to event rings periodically, and classic deep-fried fair food is plentiful. There are also a museum of antique farm equipment, a country store and educational exhibits, including a working blacksmith shop.

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Is there anything for children to do at the Brooklyn Fair?

Absolutely.

In addition to the opportunity to get up close to several different types of animals, the fair has a list of children's activities for all four days. Highlights include doughnut-on-a-string and pie-eating contests Friday night, sack races Saturday, balloon animals Saturday and Sunday and veggie car races - described as a pinewood derby, but with vegetables - all four days. There are also pedal tractor pulls Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Most of the children's activities take place in Playland, a free play area with farm-themed games, a wooden cow to milk, tractors to drive, a bean bag toss and corn pit.

How much are tickets?

Tickets are $10 per day. Children 12 years old or younger are free, and senior citizens and those with military identification pay $8. Parking is $5.

Carnival tickets can be purchased at carnival ticket booths, and bracelets offering full access for the day are $35.

Fair gates accept cash, Visa and Mastercard.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Brooklyn Fair tickets, times for contests, races, carnival and music