The celebration begins at 10 am at Riverside Park and ends at 5 pm, admission is free. The activities scheduled for the day include Inflatable Fun Amusements, 250th Cake Baking contest, Donut Eating contest, Historic Displays, food, crafts, and much more! Bring the whole family for a historical fun filled day.

Area cake bakers can help celebrate Springfield's 250th Birthday by entering a cake in the 250th Cake Baking Contest. The cake baking contest is open to any area baker. Cake Bakers can use their artistic skills to present their interpretation of the history of Springfield - Past - Present - Future. The Cake must be homemade; it must be accompanied by the recipe including the ingredients. The cakes will become the property of the 250th Cake Baking Contest.

Bake a cake; enter it before 10:30 am on Saturday, August 20. Judging starts at 12:00 noon and wait for the Judges to announce the winners at 1:30 pm. In addition there will be a cupcake table for the kids to decorate their own cupcake and then eat their creation!

Two prizes will be awarded, Judges Choice which will be judged on taste, presentation and interpretation of theme. The People's Choice Award will go to the cake deemed best by ballot vote. Each winner will receive a $50.00 cash prize and a gift basket.

After the judges make their presentations you will be able to purchase a slice of these delicious cakes. The purchase price will help defray contest costs.

If you like strawberry frosted donuts as much as Homer does, become a competitor in the Dunkin Donuts Homer Challenge at the fair. The contest begins at 1:15 pm. Let?s see how fast you can eat a dozen pink frosted donuts. The first twelve to sign up can compete. Sign up at the administration tent on fair day. You must be 18 and sign a waiver.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - FAIR DAY

10 am - George Ainley & Friends - Bluegrass for the whole family!

11 am - Paul Ippolito - Sing-a-long with Paul with music for children of all ages.

Noon - Official Ceremony with a proclamation of the 250th Birthday, read by Lt. Governor Phil Scott. Other dignitaries attending: "James Hartness", portrayed by Don Gray; Reeve Lindbergh - the actual daughter of Charles Lindbergh - and more.

12:30 pm - Dylan Tenney Magic

1:15 pm - Donut Eating Contest

1:30 pm - Announcement of Cake Baking Contest Winner

1:30 pm - Springfield Community Chorus

2 pm - "Sweet Music Quartet" - members of The Feminine Tone

3 pm - Ed Larkin Contra Dancers

4 pm - The Illusion - Classic rock and roll and favorites

All this entertainment plus activities for the whole family is just a start for a fun day at the Fair. There will be food and plenty of it from pulled pork, fried bread dough, hot dogs, hamburgers and of course birthday cake. Celebrate with a tasty piece of one of the many cakes entered in 250th Cake Baking contest. Once the winners are announced slices will be sold to satisfy that sweet tooth. Many Historic Displays will cover the History and times of Springfield. Local crafts and artisans will showcase their crafts and this is a good time to purchase that gift for that special someone! Plan to come to the Fair for a Grand time and more and more is being added, each day.

Calendars commemorating Springfield's 250th Anniversary are selling fast. It is a calendar with 21 double-sided pages filled with historic and current photographs and commentary with historic details and facts. This 19 month calendar includes June 2011 up through December 2012. These are wonderful souvenirs of the 250th Celebration and would make a nice gift for family and friends. They will be available at all of the 250th events as well as several locations throughout town, including the Chamber of Commerce office at 56 Main St., and Tina's Hallmark in the Springfield Shopping Plaza. The cost is $15 or two calendars for $25. Other souvenir memorabilia, t-shirts and travel mugs and coffee cups will also available at Springfield?s 250th Birthday Celebration.