The 2006 St. Mary's County Fair as seen from up high on a carnival ride. (SoMd.com File Photo)
LEONARDTOWN, Md. (September 19, 2007)—The 2007 St. Mary's County Fair opens its gates to the public tomorrow for the 61st time since its inception in 1947. The fair will operate daily through Sunday, September 23.
Daily admission costs $5 for adults, $1 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and younger. A pass good for all four days is available for $9 for adults, $2 for children 6-12
County fairs originated in agricultural regions as a way for the community to gather, celebrate, and showcase the bounty of the farming efforts for that year. Today, you will still find local farmer's best animals and produce on display. You will also find many other displays of crafts, flower arrangements, artwork and photography submitted by local students and residents. The best in each category are awarded prizes and ribbons as determined by judges who typically travel in from other counties across the state.
Today's fair also boasts many other exhibits, demonstrations, food, and entertainment for the entire family. The small children typically are amazed by the live animals and thrilled with the many carnival games and rides provided.
First timers will want to pay special attention to several events. The pig races always grab the attention of newcomers and small children. Adorable little pigs race around a small track. Children are invited to adopt one of the pigs in the race and share in the glory of the winner.
Ever wonder how wool makes it from a sheep to your favorite sweater? Find out by witnessing one of the several sheep shearing demonstrations. After the sheep receive their haircut, spinners show how the freshly-harvested wool is spun into yarn.
Two impressive displays of farm power are the horse and tractor pulls. Watch as teams of horses struggle to pull ever-increasing dead weights to demonstrate their plowing power. A similar contest pits modern tractors against mechanical sleds that seek to stop the tractor dead in its tracks. The competition also delights the crowd with many tractor wheelies. This year, there is also a tractor pull using small lawn and garden tractors. Once inspired by the demonstration of power, children can sign up to test their strength in the Kiddle Tractor Pull competition.
St. Mary's County is famous world-wide for three things: the Patuxent River NAS, the International Oyster Festival and Shucking Competition, and Southern Maryland stuffed ham. On Saturday at 2:00 p.m., you can see first-hand how stuffed ham is made when folks from the local, family-owned, McKay's food market demonstrate how it's done.
A complete schedule of fair events is provided below.
Thursday, September 20, 2007, Opening Day
3:00 PM Gates open to public
4:00 PM Exhibit biddings open to public
5:00 PM Carnival opens (ride all evening for one price)
5:30 PM 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
6:00 PM Pjppetone Rockers (FM)
6:30 PM 4-H Goat Show
6:30 PM Masters of the Chainsaw (FM)
7:00 PM Official Opening (NewAUD)
7:00 PM Color Guard by Cub Scout Pack 1203
7:00 PM The Star Spangled Banner, Leonardtown Middle School Chorus
7:00 PM Introduction of the Queen of Tolerance Court
7:00 PM Welcome, by John Richards, President, St. Mary's County Fair Assoc.
7:00 PM Crowning of the Queen of Tolerance
7:30 PM Masters of the Chainsaw (FM)
8:00 PM Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition (PAV)
9:00 PM Exhibit buildings close
Friday, September 21, 2007, School Day
8:00 AM 4-H Livestock show starts (SR)
8:00 AM 4-H Horse Show
9:00 AM Exhibit buildings open
10:00 AM 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest (4-H building)
10:00 AM Decorated Wagon Contest (PAV)
1:00 PM Leonardtown Middle School Band performance (NewAUD)
1:00 PM 4-H Consumer judging contest (4-H Building)
2:00 PM Speech contest - David Flood (NewAUD)
2:00 PM The Star Spangled Banner, Great Mills High School Chamber Singers
2:00 PM Registration for Kiddy Tractor Pull (PAV)
3:00 PM Kiddy Tractor Pull (PAV)
4:00 PM St. Mary's County Sheriff Dept. K-9 Demonstration (GS)
5:00 PM John Lusky Band (PAV)
6:00 PM Bicycle drawing - school day activities end
6:00 PM Ice Carving (Doug Mackey, MAS Executive Chef) (EXT)
7:00 PM Grades Guys and Gals (FSA)
7:00 PM Horsepull-lightweight(GS)
7:30 PM Boot Scooters line dancing PAV)
9:00 PM Exhibit buildings close
* Eddie Robbinette Magic shows 12:00, 1:30, 3:30 and 5:00 (TENT)
* Barnyard Runners Pig Races 11:30, 1:00, 3:00, and 4:30
* Masters of the Chain Saw 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00
* Puppetone Rockers 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00
* Dick Haines, Stiltwalker
Saturday, September 22, 2007, Parade Day
8:00 AM Open class livestock shows begins
9:00 AM Exhibit buildings open
10:00 AM The Star Spangled Banner, Leonardtown High School Route 5 Harmony
10:30 AM Fair Parade
12:00 PM Daughters of Vida Mid-Eastern Dance Troupe (PAV)
1:00 PM Jousting (GS)
1:00 PM Interlocking Building Block Competition
1:00 PM Hyperspace Super Magic Man, Illusions (NewAUD)
1:30 PM Syncopated Rhythm Dance Team (PAV)
2:00 PM McKay's Stuffed Ham Demonstration (EXT)
2:30 PM Southern MD Concert Band PAV)
4:00 PM Hyperspace Super Magic Man, Illusions (NewAUD)
4:00 PM Middle East Dance Group (PAV)
4:00 PM 4-H Rabbit showmanship contest
4:30 PM Lawnmower Pulling Contest, So, Md. Mini-Pullers
6:00 PM 4-H livestock auction (SR)
6:00-8:00 WMDM live remote broadcast
7:00 PM Horse pull - heavy weight (GS)
7:30 PM Six Guns South Band (PAV)
* Puppetone Rockers 1 :00, 3:00, and 5:00
* Eddie Robinette Magic Shows 12:30, 2:00, 4:00 and 5:30 (TENT)
* Barnyard Runners Pig Races 12:00, 1:30, 3:30, and 5:00
* Masters of the Chain Saw 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00
* Dick Haines, Stiltwalker
Sunday, September 23, 2007, Gospel Music Day
8:30 AM Open class horse show starts (GS)
9:00 AM Exhibit buildings open
9:00 AM Open Class Goat Show (SR)
10:00 AM Baby show starts (FSA)
10:00 AM Antique tractor pull starts (FM)
11:00 AM Chesapeake Spinners wool demo. (Sheep barn)
11:30 PM Lugnut and Pitcrew (PAV)
12:00 PM Daughters of Vida Mid-Eastern Dance (New AUD)
12:30 PM Gospel Music, Walls of Jasper (TENT)
1:00 PM Introduction of the Queen of Tolerance Court (PAV)
1:00 PM The Star Spangled Banner, Peace Pipers of Chopticon High School
1:00 PM Master Gardeners Plant Clinic (EXT)
1:30 PM Gospel Music, Gospel Mitodies (TENT)
1:30 PM Bob James-Tribute to Neil Diamond
2:00 PM 4-H Visual Presentations (EXT)
2:30 PM Gospel Music, St. Peter Claver Catholic Choirs (TENT)
3:00 PM Chesapeake Country Cruisers line dance
3:30 PM Gospel Music, The Gospel Persuaders Choir (TENT)
4:30 PM Bob James-A Tribute to Neil Diamond
4:30 PM Gospel Music, The New Briscoe Brothers Choir
4:30 PM Chain saw sculpture auction
6:00 PM Fair closes, see you next year!!!
* Sheep Shearing Demos - Sarah Lasher (sheep barn)
* Puppetone Rockers shows 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30
* Eddie Robinette Magic shows 11:00, 12:30, 2:00 (PAV)
* Barnyard Runners Pig Races 11:30, 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00
* Masters of the Chain Saw 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, and 4:00
* Dick Haines, Stiltwalker
BUILDING LEGEND:
(FSA) FAIR STAGE AUDITORIUM
(GS) GRAND STAND
(FM) FARM MUSEUM
(SR) LIVESTOCK SHOWROOM
(PAV) PAVILION
(EXT) EXTENSION HALL
(NEW AUD) NEW AUDITORIUM
The fairgrounds are located just of off Maryland Route 5 directly across from the Leonardtown High School, Middle School complex.
St. Mary’s County Government has also announced that they will be providing a variety of information about their services and offerings for the public at the fair. The County Government Booth will be located inside the Cooperative Extension Building and Commercial Building II.
County Government Departments will be providing the following information: 2007 State of the County Report; Boards, Committees, and Commissions brochure; TDR handouts; Land Preservation Efforts Brochures, Recreation, Parks, and Community Services display of services; St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) Bus Schedules; Department of Aging display of services and classes available to seniors; Department of Public Safety emergency preparedness display, department functions and service information, St. Mary’s County map of shelters and hurricane evacuation routes; 911 safety brochures; and Recycling/Solid Waste display of information.
The Department of Information Technology will be providing Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping services, Internet Mapping Applications and EnterRoad Info Road video application; a voting machine and distribution and acceptance of voter registration forms. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for the Code Red Emergency Notification and notification if a Registered Sex Offender moves into your area.
In addition, the St. Mary's County Library staff will be issuing library cards to county residents on Friday and Saturday at the County Government Fair Booth in Commercial Building II.
After the St. Mary's County fair has closed its gates for this year, Calvert County will follow up with its fair on September 26 through the 30th. More information is available at http://www.calvertcountyfair.com/ .