10-17-2026 4:04am

State Fair Thrives

Jeff Barto Editor

Maryland State Fair Sets Attendance Milestone in New General Manager's First Year

Some 4-H exhibitors grow up dreaming of one day managing their state fair. For a new fair manager, an ideal first year might include increased attendance, a successful milestone anniversary and a midway ranking among the highest-grossing in the event's history.

For David Gordon, the new general manager of the Maryland State Fair, those goals came together in 2026. The fair's 145th edition welcomed 583,231 attendees, up from 576,307 in 2025. The second Saturday set a single-day attendance record, while food and beverage spending increased and the 42-ride Deggeller Attractions midway recorded its third-highest revenue total. Gordon credited favorable weather for helping drive the results. “We had an incredible Fair. We were blessed with exceptional weather and only saw a few showers during our 13-day run. The weather was great! Only a day or two when it got humid, but the temperatures were all under 90 degrees.”

New Team

Although 2026 marked Gordon's first year as general manager, he brought extensive experience to the position. Before succeeding Andy Cashman, who managed the Maryland State Fair for 11 years, Gordon had served as assistant general manager since 2019. His involvement with the fair began much earlier. “2005–2018, I worked for University of Maryland Extension and served the Fair as a Beef and Livestock Judging Superintendent,” said Gordon. “In truth, I have been with the Fair since I was 8 years old and started as a 4-Her and exhibitor.”

Gordon's appointment coincided with a planned leadership transition on the fair's board. He credited former board chair Donna Myers for preparing the organization for the change. Myers, he explained, “always had a two-year plan for her leadership, so in terms of board changeover she never wavered from that. The last year of her Chair position, the Board Governance Committee began working on a new slate of officers. The new Chair, Mary Amoss, and President, Karen Holloway have been active board members who both chaired committees and served on the Executive Committee. So, they were great replacements for those two leadership roles.”

The transition also marked the conclusion of Cashman's tenure as general manager, during which Gordon had worked closely with him. “Andy Cashman has a huge legacy at Maryland State Fair and the fair industry. I had the privilege of learning from him for seven years.

While I would have loved to spend even more time learning under his guidance, Andy decided it was time for him to step aside and was nothing but encouraging to me and I think to the board to consider me for the General Manager role. In terms of the General Manager position, to one day be considered for that role had been a goal of mine.”

Bob Shirley, MD State Fair Employee for 80 Years, Presented with Award Citations - Photo by Edie Bernier

Despite his years of experience, Gordon discovered that taking responsibility for the entire operation brought new demands, particularly the volume of calls and decisions requiring his attention. “All the phone calls surprised me. The phone never stopped ringing whether it was an actual emergency, someone needing or wanting something, or someone just wanting to talk. I am very lucky to have a great staff. I feel the General Manager is like a fireman during the fair, here to help put out the fires that inevitably pop up. But, a large portion of the work is taken care of by our exceptional staff, volunteers, and partners.”

Gordon inherited an experienced team and an event already well into its planning cycle when he became general manager in January. Although many elements were in place, several major decisions remained, including parking arrangements, concert bookings and the addition of a drone show. “A good chunk of Fair planning is already in the works before the new year hits. The general schedule, entertainment acts (that were booked at the IAFE meeting), the fair-premium book and livestock shows are fully underway by that time. There are of course things that still depend on my decisions: should we use the infield for parking, should the prospective concerts be finalized, and other issues. A huge decision that had to be made this year was regarding having a drone show that we were trying to find a sponsor to help support. While planning had been going on for months, the sponsor, contracting with the drone company, and working out the logistics, all were finalized the month before the Fair.”

Discounts Galore

Like many fair managers in 2026, Gordon faced rising operating expenses and concerns about affordability among fairgoers. “Costs have continued to rise on many of the products and services needed to complete the Fair. One of the largest increases that was seen in 2026 was in utility and energy costs,” he explained.

To help keep the event accessible, the Maryland State Fair offered a range of ticket and food promotions. “Affordability is always a concern as we want people at the Fair. We work on several strategies to help people, including discounted flash sale pricing, discounted advance sale pricing, sponsor days to help decrease or provide free entry, and a $5 Friday to help people with food costs while on property.”

The fair had previously moved away from its longtime "12 Best Days of Summer" slogan as the event's schedule expanded. For 2026, the 13-day fair continued its "Dream Big!" marketing campaign, the culmination of a three-year strategy emphasizing the traditions and experiences that bring generations of families to the fair. “The idea was a three-year marketing plan that culminated this year. It focused on the dreams that come true at the Fair and the traditions developed: from the time our animals are born, we dream that they can win a championship; we dream of winning that huge stuffed animal at a game; we dream and daydream about what it was like when we came to the Fair as a child and now what it is like when we bring our own families back. We hope the Fair and this marketing elicited feelings of tradition, family, and the excitement of the Fair and the chance to win big.”

The marketing budget remained just over $200,000, approximately the same as in 2025. Spending continued to shift away from print advertising toward digital platforms, particularly social media. Gordon said a “very small portion [of the budget]” was allocated to print media, while television, radio and social media accounted for most of the advertising expenditures.

Social media marketing served two primary purposes. The fair worked with Noise New Media, a digital marketing and promotions company, to support ticket sales. “We have been working with [Noise New Media] so a large push in social media has been to sell tickets.”

At the same time, the fair used its own social media channels to share stories about the event and the people working behind the scenes. “This year we continue to try and use social media to tell our story as well. It is a work in progress and something we will continue to grow in the future.”

Deggeller Attractions

Deggeller Attractions provided a 42-ride midway, highlighted by the debut of the new Sand Storm roller coaster. The fair also made changes to the midway layout near the main entrance. “We also opened the midway more by the main gate entrance to make a more inviting and safer entrance,” said Gordon. “Ride revenue was up in 2026 and was our 3rd largest year on record.”

More than 50 food vendors offered traditional fair favorites alongside new creations. Pickle-themed foods and beverages were particularly prominent this year. “We had the Pickle Shot Saloon sponsored by the Original Pickle Shot with Pickle Crush Slushies, Pickle-tinis, Pickle Bloody Mary's and other pickle-themed beverages,” said Gordon.

Maryland's signature blue crab also remained a popular ingredient in new fair foods. “ Crabbie Tater Tots and Crabzilla Fries, which won our new food contest, continue to be very popular combining traditional fair French fries or tots with Maryland favorites crab and crab dip.”

Food and beverage spending increased compared to 2025. Gordon reported, “Spending was up on Food and Beverage from 2025. Bar spending was up almost 20 percent and Food spending increased on par with Fair attendance.”

For Gordon, the results marked a successful first year leading an event that has been part of his life since childhood. Strong attendance, increased spending and favorable weather helped the fair exceed his initial expectations. “I wanted to put on the best Fair we could for my first year as General Manager. Despite, my initial worries about weather, security, concerts, and entertainment, the 2026 Maryland State Fair blew away all of my expectations. Our security and safety teams were incredible with almost no incidents. The weather was incredible. We accomplished our goal of providing the best family entertainment in our area. I am also blessed with wonderful support from the board, staff, volunteers, and partners that made this Fair successful. It was truly memorable for me as my first fair as Maryland State Fair General Manager.”