Maine Fair With Dog Mascot Bans Canines From Annual Event 

By Ted Cohen

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The Common Ground Country Fair in Maine is being dogged by a messaging problem at best, false advertising at worst.

To wit, the annual fair in Unity features a dog on its poster promoting this year's event.

But it forbids attendees from - yup - bringing their canines to the event.

"I drove all the way to Unity this morning to go to the Common Ground Fair, only to be told by the parking attendants that I couldn't bring my dog ('Lily,' photo above) onto the fair grounds," says Stefanie Veneziano of Bath.

Veneziano says the last time she was at the fair, four years ago, "I saw plenty of people with dogs."

"This is an outdoor event with tons of space," she said in a Facebook post. "There's no reason why anyone would go to this wondering whether their dogs are allowed.

"I've often enjoyed going to the Common Ground in the fall in Maine and am happy this is a tradition that's been going on for so long," Veneziano said. "I was looking forward to supporting local farmers and businesses, but instead wasted time and gas to get there. I probably won't bother going again in the future."

Veneziano defines irony as the fair featuring a dog as this year's mascot

"Maine Organic Farmers And Gardeners Association, what is this nonsense?" she asked. "You even have a dog on your poster this year."