This week Asa’s World Tour of Maine is taking you to Sweden! Located among rolling hills, ponds and forest on land once inhabited by the Pequawkets, Sweden, Maine was settled in 1784 and incorporated as a town in 1813. Not to be confused with New Sweden, which is much further north in Maine, and actually settled by folks from the country of Sweden in the 1870s. Sweden, Maine was settled by people from Massachusetts, that do not appear to have a connection to the country. Speaking of the country, the band ABBA isn’t from Sweden, Maine either, but the original country in Europe. In fact, when they toured the world, ABBA never even visited Maine!

But enough about ABBA’s touring days, let’s talk about mine! This quiet rural community is all about enjoying the outdoors and its agrarian roots. Speaking of which, next I headed over to nearby Fryeburg, Maine to take some publicity photos for the Fryeburg Fair held annually the first week in October. Established in 1851, it is “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic,” the largest agricultural fair in the state, celebrating the best of farming traditions and history, along with carnival rides, live entertainment, and fair food.

However, before you get excited that Llily Llama booked me to perform there this year, along with the many other talented performers. She did NOT. She squeaked something about it not being good enough for ABBA, it’s not good enough for me! Personally, I think she didn’t book me because Llily Llama is upset that although they have competitions for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, and herding dogs, they don’t have any contests that we know of for llamas. So to be honest, I’m not really sure what these publicity photos are for, unless she was hoping I could hold her place in the ticket line.