Lyme — Fair-goers leisurely strolled around the Lyme Grange Fairgrounds on Sunday, playing games, petting alpacas and lining up in front of the fun house and giant slide at the 114th annual Hamburg Fair.

Visitors watched the annual oxen pull from the outdoor amphitheater, listened to live bands underneath a tent, and looked over prize-winning vegetables, bread loaves, and pies. They sampled food from vendors that sold fried dough, french fries, onion rings and sundaes.

This weekend's fair opened on Friday, and families on Sunday were soaking up the final day of the fair — until next year. The annual tradition, sponsored by the Lyme Grange Fair Association, draws thousands each year. 

Libby Kellert, who grew up going to the fair in Lyme, said she was enjoying the event with her 18-month-old son, Henry.  

In a tent area with small animals, Henry petted goats in a pen, while looking back to smile at Kellert. 

"He's loving it," she said. "This is his first fair." 

Ted Powell, the fair's president, said this year's event featured new vendors, Eagle Scout projects, and an increased focus on music and entertainment.

He said the community's involvement makes the Hamburg Fair unique.

"They'll do anything to help this fair and keep it going," he said. "It's really a town fair — what fairs used to be."

On Sunday, spectators watched as pairs of oxen pulled sleds filled with heavy stone blocks in the oxen-pull competition. Powell said the oxen pull was the heart of the Hamburg Fair when it first began, and the fair grew from there.

Judy Boucher, who owns a home in Old Lyme, and Bob Davidson, a Florida resident, were among the spectators.

Davidson said he was enjoying watching his first oxen pull, and Boucher said she likes the fair's atmosphere — the kids, rides and the smells — as well as the fried dough.

Kerrie Karwoski of Rhode Island was also watching the oxen pull.

She said oxen pulls are her family's livelihood from July through the third week of October and the family participates in events throughout New England. She said the oxen are trained, exercised each day and fed a good diet. She said the competition tends to be friendly.

"It's a competition, but everyone talks to each other and nobody is setting anyone up for failure," she said.

Two alpacas, 8-year-old Tarzan and 7-year-old Pumpkin, also drew visitors at another part of the fair.

Steve Evankow, who has 5 alpacas, said Pumpkin visits local nursing homes and farmer's markets and competes in pageants. Pumpkin was born with an exceptional personality that makes him very good with children and older people, said Evankow. 

At another part of the fair, Elaine and David Griswold of Old Lyme, who go to the fair every year, were enjoying listening to Ramblin' Dan Stevens and the Mellow Men at a table underneath a tent. 

The couple had just arrived at the fair in the early afternoon. Elaine had sampled fried dough and her husband had won a stuffed animal, a tiger, for her.

"You can't beat it," said Elaine.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich