MOFGA's Common Ground Country Fair
09.21.14 The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association hosts its annual Common Ground Country Fair on the third weekend of September. MOFGA's flagship event attracts nearly 60,000 visitors each year and brings together so many people from so many walks of life, all in the spirit of celebrating the rural and agricultural traditions of Maine. So what's this got to do with chess?
Children in the process of making apple cider under the watchful eye of a MOFGA volunteer at the Children's Homesteading Tent at the Common Ground Country Fair on Friday, September 19th.
More information on the Common Ground Country Fair
Ambling through the Farm and Homestead area of the fair, visitors happened upon the Children's Homesteading Tent. Lots of fun activities were going on there including: grinding wheat berries into whole wheat flour, making flatbread with freshly ground wheat, churning cream into butter, pressing apples for apple cider, and making homemade soups and corn husk dolls.
Over in one corner of the Children's Homesteading area under a cucumber magnolia tree an inviting wooden chess board and pieces were set up. This proved to be a popular haunt with games going on throughout the three days of the fair. It's amazing how a board, pieces, table and chairs bring people of all ages and walks of life together to enjoy a game and some conversation. It makes us think that all cities and towns should have their own public chess tables in a prominent well-traveled area as a way of promoting community and good will among its citizens.
The Children's Area at the Farm and Homestead section of the fair is one of the most-visited tents.
What's going on under that blue Easy Up on the left?
A closer look reveals a game in progress. The young man on the left proudly exclaimed, "I learned how to play chess here last year!"
At the end of a long and interesting game the players agreed to a draw just before bare kings.
Adults enjoyed the peaceful setting for a game or two as well.
Fearless! This young player bravely essays 1.b4 the Orangutan Opening!
Father and daughter enjoy a game as do...
son-in-law and mother-in-law and
mother and son.
Players were serenaded by a string band that would intermittently stop in a play a few tunes.
Corn stalk chess pieces?
