Worcester County Fair Board member Cindy Morris explained that sweltering heat made last year’s fair at Byrd Park in Snow Hill a bit taxing for livestock and attendees.
“It’s always been the second weekend in August but last year it was like an 115-degree heat index,” she said. “We struggled with it … being so hot in August so we thought we would try moving it this year.”
Morris is also a 4-H Program coordinator, which is organized in this area by the University of Maryland Extension, a statewide non-formalized education system included in the college of agricultural and natural resources.
“The Worcester County Fair is set up as a family event,” she said. “We have exhibits for kids, as well as adults.”
Lisa Murphy, 4-H STEM faculty extension, said agricultural competitors were slated to begin converging at Byrd Park on Wednesday evening.
“People will bring in the items that they’ve made, or they’ve grown, or pictures that they’ve taken,” she said. “The next day will be the judging of the fair items.”
The festivities open on Friday at 10:30 a.m. with a celebration of Safe Kids Day beginning at 11 a.m., Morris said.
“There are already over 25 vendors coming to that so there’s a lot of different activities kids can go to and parents can learn about safety,” she said.
Parents will also find ample opportunities to keep the little ones happily distracted on Saturday, Morris said.
“On Saturday we have a different children’s game or activity every half hour,” she said.
While many are lured to the fair for the traditional offerings, Morris said organizers always strive to add a new wrinkle.
“It’s a challenge to come up with new and different things,” she said.
To meet the challenge, Morris said there are several new attractions this year, beginning with the Little Miss and Miss Worcester County Farm Bureau competition at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Little Miss contestants must be between 5-7 years of age, while the Miss category is open to those between the ages of 16-19. To be eligible for entry participants must be the child of a Maryland farm Bureau member.
Another new entry for this year is a mobile science lab trailer operated by the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF).
“The MAEF trailer is coming in and that’s also new,” Morris said. “That will be there all three days.”
Murphy said the MAEF trailer travels throughout the state providing agricultural activities for youth and adults.
One of the more engaging additions to the fair is the Walk in the Bark, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which runs from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday.
Kathy Decker, University of Maryland Extension of Worcester County administrative assistant, is hopeful the fundraiser will boost attendance at the fair while also supporting the American Cancer Society.
“It’s an enhancer to try and bring more folks out,” she said.
The entry fee is a cash or check donation to the American Cancer Society, with the amount to be determined by the individual, Decker said.
Among the numerous activities likely to enthrall canine lovers are: an agricultural-themed costume contest, along with competitions for best dressed dog, best tail wag, best dog kiss and best trick.
In addition to a photo booth, Morris said DJ Brian K. Hall would donate his time to raise the decibel level for pooches and people.
“They’re going to have music and hopefully have some doggie square dancing,” she said.
Not to limit the competition to furry friends, Morris said the adult and youth talent show on Saturday at 6 p.m. is still accepting contestants.
“That’s always a great thing to participate in or just come and check it out,” she said. “We’re going to take entries up to the day of it.”
Although the Worcester County Fair is a long running tradition, Morris said each year organizers strive to improve the multi-day event.
“We tried some things that didn’t work and we have traditional things that everybody comes to see every year,” she said. “Hopefully the weather will participate and we’ll have a wonderful time.”
For more information, visit www.worcestercountyfair.com.
10:30 a.m. – Fair opens
11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Worcester Celebrates Safe Kids Day
11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Home Depot activities
12 p.m. – Rabbit show
2 p.m. – Dairy Goat Show
2-4 p.m. – Sand art
3 p.m. – Poultry Show
5 p.m. – Dairy Cow Show
6:30 p.m. – Benefit & Cake Auction
8 p.m. – Fair closes
Saturday, June 24
10 a.m. – Fair opens
10:30 a.m. – Country Costume Parade
11 a.m. – Children’s Limbo Contest
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Classic Car & Truck show
11 a.m. – Beef Show
11:30 a.m. – Tug of War- Children vs Parent
11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Quilters
12 p.m. – Children’s Chicken Scratch
12-1 p.m. – Music by County Cross Roads
12:30 p.m. – Children’s Watermelon-Eating Contest
1 p.m. – Meat Goat Show
1:30 p.m. – Children’s Pedal Tractors
2 p.m. – Children’s Pie-Eating Contest
2-4 p.m. – Sand Art
2:30 p.m. – Breyer Horse Show
2:30 p.m. – Children’s Egg Toss
2:30-5:30 p.m. – Ride-In Motorcycle Show
3 p.m. – Children’s Hula Hoop Contest
3:30 p.m. – Children’s Extra Large Kool Pop-Eating Contest
4 p.m. – Children’s Sack Race
4:30 p.m. – Children’s Bubble Fun
5:30 p.m. – Little Miss & Miss Worcester County Farm Bureau Competition
6 p.m. – Swine Show
6 p.m. – Adult & Youth Talent Show
8 p.m. – Fair closes
Sunday, June 25
8 a.m. – Horse Show Registration
9 a.m. – Horse Show
9 a.m.-noon – Walk in the Bark
10:30 a.m. – Fair opens
11 a.m. – Church Service by Bayside Community Church
1 p.m. – Sheep Show
2-4 p.m. – Sand Art
4 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
4:30 p.m. – Fair closes