September 20, 2025, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The Down East faithful will transition from Farmington to the 153rd annual Cumberland Fair on Sunday (Sept. 21) with eight harness races programmed at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
Many of Maine’s rural fairs are known for their tractor pulls and draft horse demonstrations, however the Cumberland fair was first held in 1868 with harness racing as the “Maine” attraction. It remains one of the biggest annual agricultural events in the southern part of the Pine Tree state.
The Standardbred horse racing at the Cumberland Fairgrounds will start at 2:00 pm on opening day, Sunday (Sept. 21) with full cards scheduled for eight racing dates through Sunday (Sept. 28).
Post time is slated for 1 p.m. for the Monday through Thursday (Sept. 22-25) programs, and drops backs to 12:00 noon for the remaining weekend dates of Friday through Sunday (Sept. 26-28).
The featured races for the opening day card are the first legs of the Zipper pop up series, which include three $4,500 divisions of the conditioned pacing events with the $7,500 series final being held on Sunday (Sept. 27).
Monday’s (Sept. 28) program of ten races includes more Pop Ups with two $5,000 divisions of the Merry Go Round Pacing Series, as well as a pair of $5,000 Tilt-A-Whirl Trotting Series splits. Both series enjoy $8,000 finals on Friday (Sept. 26).
Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continue at Cumberland with 3-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and then roll into the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 25), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 26).
Once again, Cumberland will host the $300,000 Est. Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, September 27, with two freshmen pacers, Massive Speed and Snowonthepines, putting their unblemished records on the line in their respective showdowns.
After the fair, the track’s 18-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and then follows a two-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 21. Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 20.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
