It’s Fair Season!
By Sara Gordon Summer is offi cially upon us and with sum-
mercomes fairs! Whether you enjoy fairs for the food, entertainment, agricultural displays or the rides, we have the guide for you. Read on for a bit of history and highlights from Mary- land’s various county and state fairs.
Allegany County Fair
July 13-21 • Cumberland T e origional “Cumberland Fair” was held in October 1924. Horse races became the most popular draw during the two-week meet held in conjunction with the Cumberland Fair. In 1962, the fair’s racing dates were sold to other tracks and then in 1967, cars took over the racetrack with stock car racing from April through October. T is year, the fair will feature a variety of
musical acts and automobile events, along with traditional livestock auctions, farm queen crowning and agricultural displays.
Anne Arundel County Fair
September 12-16 • Crownsville Although it dates back to the 1950s, the
Anne Arundel County Fair moved to its cur- rent 73-acre property in Crownsville in 1984. T is year’s fair continues to embody the spirit of the fi rst fair, showcasing agriculture and home arts exhibits by 4-H and FFA members. Fair-goers will also be able to experience tradi- tional events such as pony rides, tractor pulls, pig races and live music.
Baltimore County 4-H Fair
July 12-14 • Timonium T e Baltimore County 4-H Fair was fi rst held in 1964. 4-H leaders and extension agent Norman Smith saw the fair as an opportunity for Baltimore County youth to showcase their indoor and livestock projects. After the success of the fi rst year, the event was offi cially moved to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, where a Fair Board was also formed, headed by the fi rst President Mr. William Langlotz. T e three-day fair will feature a picnic supper, a fashion show put on by the 4-H members, a cake auction, a pancake breakfast, and the an- nual livestock auction of animals raised by 4-H members this year. In addition, the fair off ers livestock shows and a horse show, plus the edu- cational “Agro Land” teaches young fair-goers about where the foods they eat come from.
Calvert County Fair
September 24-30 • Prince Frederick T e Calvert County Fair, which started in
1886, was originally a get-together for local men to display their cattle and tobacco at the farm of Dr. Talbott in Smithville, which is now known as Dunkirk, and is still owned by his heirs. In 1940, the fair purchased nine acres, then three more, to increase the available space.
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The Maryland State Fair August 23-September 3 • Timonium Fairgounds (Timonium)
Despite the size and grandeur its known for today, the Maryland State Fair was not always the grand experience it is today. T e fi rst successful attempt to hold a fair was in 1878, run by Maryland businessmen and hosted on a 4-acre lot in Lutherville. However, the excitement was short-lived, due to the extension of the Northern Central Railway right through the fair- grounds. But the fair had inspired its operators, and in December of 1878, they incorporated T e Agricultural Society of Baltimore County, and leased a 37-acre plot of land, known as the Timonium Estate. Ironically, the Northern Central Railway became the primary source of transportation to the fair’s new location. In addition to the Agricultural Society of Baltimore’s fair, Baltimore also had the Pimlico
Fair, which was known as the State Fair at the time. T e two fair groups held joint fairs in 1894 and 1897, and fi nally merged to form the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society of Baltimore County in 1906. Popular attractions included plowing and working oxen, as well as horse racing, which had fi nal results forwarded to interested horsemen in the sur- rounding areas by carrier pigeons. T e Fair continued to advance into something more as time went on, with an increase in attractions and exhibits, but was halted due to the war eff ort in 1943, when the fairgrounds were leased by the U.S. Army to be a storage depot and a vehicle repair center. T e State Fair didn’t reopen its gates until 1946. As the fairgrounds became a valuable piece of real estate in the 1950s, the majority stock- holder of the Corporation, the Maryland Jockey Club, agreed to sell. T e community-created the Save the Maryland State Fair Committee and raised over $600,000 to purchase the fairgrounds. In the 1970s, the Committee was successful in keeping T oroughbred racing as part of the fair, and also received a grant to expand the fairgrounds, which are now over 100 acres. Over time, the fair increased from 10 days to 12, and furthered its eff orts to close the gap between citizens and agriculture. T e State Fair continues to whole-heartedly support its exhibitors, which are the “heart of the event.” T is year there will be no shortage of events and opportunities the State Fair off ers, in-
cluding a full 12 days of livestock and other animal shows, educational demonstrations, the grand parade celebration, and live T oroughbred horse racing and simulcasting. Partners within the Maryland Horse Industry will also host “Horseland” again this year, providing the public with free equine educational opportunities. Horse shows continue to take place daily throughout the fair. T e State Fair also features musical entertainment, with performances by Chase Bryant
& Chris Lane, Smash Mouth, BB King’s Band Featuring Tito Jackson, and Chris Janson. See page 26 for more details!
JUNE 2018 | THE EQUIERY | 19
T ese grounds were used until the fair moved to Barstow, its present location. T is year, the fair will continue to off er 4-H and Open live- stock shows and indoor exhibits.
Caroline-Dorchester County Fair
August 1-4 • Denton Caroline and Dorchester counties joined
forces over a decade ago to create one combined county fair. 4-H and Open exhibitors partici- pate in the indoor, outdoor, and livestock exhib-
its. One of the fair’s most popular attractions is its Children’s Day, which provides activities and information tailored to healthy living. New this year, the Children’s Day will include the 4-H Blender Bike, which is a stationary bike hooked up to a blender that allows kids to make healthy smoothies and drinks. “We personally invite all of the surrounding day-cares and children’s summer camps, to encourage the kids to come,” says Navonne Owen, a 4-H Agent Associate continued...
Tracy McKenna
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