Planning a trip to Fryeburg

Getting There -- Fryeburg is right on U.S. Route 302, between Portland and North Conway, New Hampshire. It's about 1 1/2 hours northwest of Portland and 15 minutes east of North Conway. Route 113 departs from Fryeburg on the west side of town, headed for Gilead.

Visitor Information -- In summer, near the Maine/New Hampshire state line on Route 302, the Fryeburg Information Center offers a hut of general information about lodging and attractions. There's nothing much worth seeing in Bridgton, but you can pick up information year-round at the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 236, Bridgton, ME 04009 (tel. 207/647-3472), open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with extended hours in summer, about a quarter-mile south of the light on Route 302.

Outdoor enthusiasts should head to the Evans Notch Ranger District office, at 18 Mayville Rd., in Bethel (tel. 207/824-2134). Rangers dispense information from their headquarters, which is just off Route 2, north of the village of Bethel (on the way to Sunday River); they'll give you a helpful brochure describing a sampling of area hikes.

Special Events -- Maine's largest agricultural fair, the Fryeburg Fair (tel. 207/935-3268; www.fryeburgfair.com) is held annually during the 10 days prior to Columbus Day. Often staged near the peak of foliage season, this huge fair is even more colorful than its surroundings. It's a classic New England extravaganza of snorting pigs, horse-pulling matches, serene llamas, pumpkins the size of Rhode Island, and contests for the best-looking and best-tasting pies. Tickets are $8 Friday through Sunday, $6 the rest of the week; entrance is free for children 11 and under. Parking on-site costs you an additional $5 per vehicle.