The Lancaster Fairgrounds at 516 Main Street is the heart of community life in Lancaster, NH — about 5 minutes (and a short drive across the Connecticut River) from Riverside Camping & RV Resort. While the fairgrounds are best known for the Lancaster Fair, an agricultural fair that has run continuously for more than 150 years during Labor Day week, the grounds host events through the rest of the year as well.
The Lancaster Fair
Labor Day week each year. Five days of midway rides, livestock shows, live music, horse and oxen pulling contests, ventriloquist shows, and the famous Kids Korner. Highlights guests come back for include:
- Little Miss Lancaster Fair Contest
- Fireman's Muster
- Cruise Night
- Power Wheel Derby
- Kow Kostume Kontest
- Oxen Obstacle Course Double Challenge
- Children's Pedal Tractor Pull, train rides, scavenger hunt
- "Farmer for a Day" — collect eggs, milk cows, feed animals
The fair opens at 8:30 AM daily. Midway hours: noon–11 PM Thu/Fri, 11:30 AM–11 PM Sat/Sun, and 11:30 AM–9 PM Monday. For current dates and ticket details visit lancasterfair.com.
Other Events Throughout the Year
The Lancaster Rotary Club hosts an annual Snow Derby at the fairgrounds, drawing snowmobile racing fans from across northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The grounds also host smaller seasonal markets, community gatherings, and rotating local events. Schedules are listed on the Town of Lancaster's local events page.
Plan Your Visit From Riverside
From Riverside, the Lancaster Fairgrounds are about 2 miles and 5 minutes by car — short enough that guests often walk or bike on quieter weekend mornings. Bookings for Fair week and Labor Day weekend tend to fill early; reserve your site well in advance if you're planning around the fair.