State fair thrives after expanding to three weekends

New this year, the Maryland State Fair Champion Livestock Show provided the opportunity for youth and adults with special needs to learn about goats and with the assistance of 4-H/FFA youth had the opportunity to exhibit them in a show format. (Photo courtesy Edie Bernier)

TIMONIUM, Md. — Changing to a three long weekend format proved successful, the Maryland State Fair announced.
In a news release, the fair said the new format and the great weather were integral components for the 16-percent increase in attendance, an increase in livestock exhibits, and an all-time gross income reached by the fair’s carnival midway operator, Deggeller Attractions.
The decision to change to a long weekend format was precipitated by more Maryland school systems starting the school year prior to Labor Day.
“The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society’s mission is agriculture education. We moved to this new format because we did not want the 4-H/FFA youth to have to chose between going to school and exhibiting at the Maryland State Fair,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager D. Andrew “Andy” Cashman.
4-H/FFA and Open Class youth and adults presented thousands of exhibits to the 588,120 fairgoers in attendance about the importance of agriculture.
“It was encouraging to see families and individuals smile as they enjoyed the variety of fun and educational competitions and displays,” said Cashman.
New this year, the Maryland State Fair Champion Livestock Show provided the opportunity for youth and adults with special needs to learn about goats and with the assistance of 4-H/FFA youth had the opportunity to exhibit them in a show format.
Participants received champion ribbons, medals, and Dairy Bar ice cream vouchers.
The first ever Maryland State Fair Longhorn Cattle Show was held in the Cow Palace with more than 50 entries.
The Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Sale raised a record-setting $177,500 from Maryland businesses and individuals.
Seventy youth 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.
The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society awarded $31,000 in college scholarships during the 2022 Maryland State Fair.
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 as media teams went milkshake to milkshake against each other:
The Undeniably Dairy Celebrity Milkshake Contest Winner was 100.7 The Bay’s Styx Twix Shake topped with Jimmies in memory of fellow reporter Traffic Jam Jimmy who won the contest in 2021.