The three-day affair will take place rain or shine at the fairgrounds on Route 17A.
Portland Fair Association Secretary Joyce Murphy, who has volunteered for the family-friendly event for 20 years, said volunteers have been working especially hard to prepare for the crowds, even though not as many were able to help out as before.
The fairgrounds are notorious for flooding during heavy rains, and this year is no exception.
“This has been the biggest effort ever — with the amount of rain and trying to dry the grounds. We keep mowing [the grass]; keep it short.”
Organizers had to plant new grass seeds this year, the secretary said. “It’s been a challenge,” she acknowledged.
“The weather can be an issue, but it’s been an issue for every other fair in the state of Connecticut this year,”…
