"You cannot use your hands," projected Sam Manley to a table of seven contestants. "It has to go down the gullet."

The participants had picked their choice of fruit pies before gathering around the table to dive face first into the dessert. The pie eating contest is something Hank Poitras looks forward to every year at the Grange Fair.

"You want to get apple because the apples are in larger chunks so you can get them down faster," said 17-year-old Poitras, who took first in the adults' contest.

Dartmouth Grange members can date the fair back to 1894, said Manley, who has been organizing the event for the past 20 years.

"This was part of my childhood," he said. "We're bringing that forward to a whole new generation which is really cool."

Manley pointed out that admission is free, and there are no carnival rides. "We try to keep it family-friendly and affordable," Manley said.

The two-day affair hosts a magician, live music, and even a live alpaca, along with a penny raffle, produce auction, contests, handmade dart and bottle toss games, and food.

"The whole village comes alive," said Dartmouth Historical & Arts Society's Kathy Plant, dressed in a high-collar blouse, ankle-length skirt, and pinned up curls reflective of the late 1800s. DHAS members did a reenactment at the 1871 Schoolhouse, while Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust volunteers led tours through Allen's Mill during fair hours.

Visitors were greeted by a giant white tent in front of the Dartmouth Grange headquarters at 1133 Fisher Road. Underneath it, Grange volunteer Carol Way Wood sold $2 rock candy, 25-cent honey sticks, and $1 bags of organic popcorn.

Fourteen-year-old Devin Lebeau threw darts at the other end of the tent. "You're supposed to aim for the center," he explained.

Len and Beth Gauvin, owner's of Salvador's Ice Cream had set up shop under the tent as well, but all the action was inside.

"They build these exhibits, and they have such great ideas," said Lauren Miller, pointing at a small tractor display loaded with fruits and vegetables. Miller took the prize for best cherry tomato, and growers get to keep their wares if they want to, but most give up their produce for the auction.

When the day is done, Grange volunteers fill baskets with the unclaimed produce and auction them off. The proceeds go towards supporting the Grange.

"We always stand so they can see you when you bid," said Susan Costa, giving up her chair. She said her favorite part of the fair is watching her husband Jeff Costa and his brother Jordan enter a bidding war.

Jeff Costa had also entered his 335-pound pumpkin into a contest, but lost to Norman Buck, whose pumpkin weighed 421 pounds.

"I talk to it," joked Jeff when asked about his strategy for growing the beastly pumpkin over the past four months.

The Costas watched as Manley called ticket numbers for the penny raffle, another source of income for the Grange. Manley explained that all the prizes are donated. "It's very humbling, the generosity," he said.

Although the auction and raffle are favorites, Susan Costa said it's the people that make it worthwhile. "It's home away from home," she said, explaining that everyone at the event knew each other.