2023 Catherine L. Damren Award Distinguished Service Award

The Catherine L. Damren Distinguished Service Award is presented to a person in the Maine agricultural community who has gone above and beyond in support in support and promotion of Maine’s agricultural fairs. This year's recipient is C. Richard "Dick" Hall of Farmington Fair.

Dick, as many of us know him, started officially in the fair business in 1973. He took over from his grandfather, Ralph Hall, as a trustee in Farmington, and served until his retirement in 2004. During that time and beyond, Dick has been involved with the MAAF, serving on the board of directors and serving as the President from 1998-2000. He was the MAAF representative to the Maine State Pulling Commission from 1990 until his retirement in 2015.

During his many years with the fairs, Dick has served as the pulling superintendent at Farmington from 1973-2004, Fryeburg Fair for 25 years and Blue Hill for many years. Dick could be found at all of our Maine fairs as a very enthusiastic fairgoer, moving from person to person inquiring as to their wellbeing, sharing the latest about his extensive Hall family and always with a warm and welcoming smile.

Dick joins previous recipients of this award - Roy Andrews and Tom Foster.

Congratulations, Dick!

< Older Post Newer Post >

A woman and a man stand together in a ballroom, smiling while holding a framed award plaque.

2024 Catherine L Damren Distinguished Service Award

By Maafadmin • March 19, 2025

2025 Catherine L. Damren

A 'Meet Our Farmers' banner collage displays many photos of people on a wooden stand above a table with autumn decor.

2024 MAAF Ag Challenge Award Contest

By Maafadmin • March 19, 2025

2024 Meet our Farmers - Winners

Three people stand on a stage; a person in a red dress holds an award plaque next to a person in a floral dress and a man.

2024 Rising Star Award

By Maafadmin • March 19, 2025

Madison Chadbourne - Harmony Fair

A person holding an award plaque stands next to an older individual in a suit and tie during an indoor event.

2023 Rising Star Award

By Maafadmin • March 26, 2024

Jessica Benner - Pittston Fair

A smiling person in a plaid shirt poses in a field with a brown and white cow in the background.

2023 MAAF Ag Challenge Award Contest

By Maafadmin • March 26, 2024

2023 Maine on My Plate

2022 Catherine L. Damren Distinguished Service Award

By Maafadmin • March 26, 2023

Tom Foster - Windsor Fair

2022 MAAF Ag Challenge Award Contest

By Maafadmin • March 26, 2023

2022 Creating an Experience: Maine GROWS

A person wearing a red patterned dress and glasses smiles while holding a wooden plaque with a gold-colored dolphin emblem.

2022 Rising Star Award

By Maafadmin • March 3, 2023

Brittany Moon from Cumberland Fair was selected as the 2022 MAAF Rising Star. Introduced by Union Fair’s Ryan Soule (2021 MAAF Rising Star with Brittany in photo above) at the MAAF annual banquet, Brittany has been an important part of her home fair from a very young age. As a 4-H member, Brittany moved from a young girl eager to help at her fair (regardless of the task) into a seasoned mentor educating youth and adults alike about the origins of their food. Brittany Moon received a MAAF Scholarship as a 2012 high school senior which helped her graduate from UNH. Currently she is employed in the Education Department at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester . This year-round program engages visitors of all ages in the areas of local natural history and agriculture. Additionally, Brittany and her family are well known exhibitors at a number of Maine fairs, including Cumberland as well as Windsor, Fryeburg, Ossipee, Topsham and Skowhegan. A recommendation written on her behalf states: “Brittany Moon grew up in 4H and has always been an inspiration to be admired. As an adult, she has continued to be inspiring as a leader. An amazing young person who will brighten everyone’s day !” Congratulations to Brittany Moon !