10-02-2024 11:41am

STATE FAIR OVERVIEW:

Md. State Fair Dreams Came True with 589,380 Fairgoers

The 2024 Maryland State Fair presented by Toyota dreamed big and it’s dreams came true with 589,380 fairgoers in attendance during its three long-weekend run between August 22 and September 8. (Photo Credit: Edie Bernier)

TIMONIUM, Md. — The 2024 Maryland State Fair presented by Toyota dreamed big and it’s dreams came true with 589,380 fairgoers in attendance during its three long-weekend run between August 22 and September 8.

“Nearly perfect weather, new competitions, entertainment and all of the traditional favorites helped to make this one of the biggest fairs in our history,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager D. Andrew “Andy” Cashman. “We are most proud that we were able to educate many more individuals and families about the importance of agriculture, which is the main mission of The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society.”

4-H/FFA and Open Class youth and adults presented thousands of farm and garden, livestock, horse, home arts and other exhibits. Fun and educational displays and hands-on activities were featured in the barns, buildings, the U-Learn Farm, U-Learn Barn, Birthing Center, the Horseland Tent, Nature Play Space, and the Fair Museum. University of Maryland exhibited their UM Dairy Herd, UM Extension Master Gardeners built and taught at their Learning Garden, and Central Maryland Beekeepers extracted honey from the hive.

Maryland State Fair Carnival Operator Deggeller Attractions presented an exciting and colorful Midway with a variety of thrilling new rides, fun games, and flavorful fair foods on the Main Midway and in Kiddie Land. The Wolves of the World, Pretty Bird Paradise and Mobile Studios Glass Blowing, Blacksmithing, and Wood Carving exhibits provided an additional educational component. SHIMMER Mirrorman, Robocars transforming vehicles, and the Strolling Piano added more excitement as they wandered through the Midway and Kiddie Land.

Seven days of live Thoroughbred Horse Racing took place during the Maryland State Fair. Fairgoers were able to get up close to the rail to watch and wager on the horses running on the Timonium 5/8th mile racetrack and even take a Back Stretch Tour. The race meet was kicked off by the new Maryland Day, the Timonium Shine Again Stakes Race, and College Day at the Races events.

The LIVE! OnTrack! Concert Series presented by M&T Bank featured live shows on the High’s Main Stage by: Let’s Sing Taylor – a live band experience celebrating Taylor Swift; and, Big Time Rush with opening act Crash Adams. Fairgoers also enjoyed the music of 18 local bands, a Latino Festival, and Karaoke on the Maryland State Fair Park Free Stage.

The First Friday Food Drive presented by Chick-fil-A Baltimore raised 7.5 tons of non-perishable food items for the Maryland Food Bank, a 1.5 ton increase from last year. The food donations were collected from fairgoers in exchange for free admission to the Fair on the first Friday.

The Maryland Foods Pavilion, Midway, Dairy Bar, and Chesapeake Beverage Garden served food and drink that satisfied the fairgoers’ spirits and palates. Among new food vendors were the Get Baked Food Trolley, Althea’s Almost Famous Jerk Chicken and El Dominicano Crispy Kitchen.

The lively Mallet New Fair Food Competition was well-attended. The Best New Sweet Fair Food was Tiki Tea’s Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Iced Tea; the Best New Savory Fair Food as well as the Most Creative winner was The Turkey Stand’s Turkey & Stuffing Waffles.

The Inaugural Mullet Madness Contest was a hair-raising event with a combined 17 contestants in youth, middle of the road, and over the hill categories flaunting their retro hairdo to vie to be the “mane” attraction and win prizes.

The Undeniably Dairy Celebrity Milkshake Contest, hosted by the American Dairy Association North East, the Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers, and the Maryland State Fair, drew a crowd to the Park Stage as media teams went milkshake to milkshake against each other. The Undeniably Dairy Celebrity Milkshake Contest Winner was WMAR-TV 2 News Megan Knight and Meteorologist Stevie Daniels for the Shop Small Shake featuring local business ingredients. Following the Celebrity Milkshake contest, the 62nd Annual Maryland Dairy Princess Contest was held in the Cow Palace and Ella Fell of Frederick County was named Maryland Dairy Princess. Additionally, the 2024 Maryland State Fair Maryland Holstein Futurity Winner was Peace & Plenty SDKick Jubtoit bred by Peace & Plenty Farm and owned by Madden Storey and Ella Hlavaty.

Many new vendors were featured in the Exhibition Hall of which the most popular were: Alejandra Jewelry, Mountaineer Meat Smokers, NK Mother & Daughter Jewelry, Pink Peony Boutique, and Rosie Cheeks Distillery. Traditional favorites returned among them: The Caramel Kettle Popcorn store, the Bulk Candy store, the Negro League Baseball exhibit, and the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property booth.

Back by popular demand were: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs; JBarW Bull Riding & Cowgirl Barrel Racing Competition; Barnyard Bedtime Tales; Meet A Farmer; the Veterans’ Creative Arts Showcase; the Champions of Challenge Livestock Show for youth with disabilities; Sensory-Friendly Morning for individuals with sensory processing disorders, and more.

The Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Sale raised $182,077 from Maryland businesses and individuals. The Youth participants received the proceeds from the sale of their animal to invest for next year’s project or future educational endeavors. Through this project, the youth develop life skills including animal care, financial and management decisions.

Additionally, The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society awarded $40,000 in college scholarships and educational awards during the 2024 Maryland State Fair.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Maryland State Fair scheduled for three big weekends: August 21-24; August 28-September 1; and, September 4-7. For additional information, contact Edie M. Bernier at 410-252-0200 x 225 or ebernier@marylandstatefair.com.