Barstow, MD – The 129th Calvert County Fair will officially open late Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30 at the fairgrounds on Route 231 in Barstow.
“The fair is a wonderful place for families,” declared Calvert County Commissioner Tom Hejl, who told fair board members during a recent weekly board meeting that he enjoys taking his grandchildren to the annual event.
Several preliminary events have already been held. Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27 a three-judge panel selected the 2015 Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert. Meredith Prouty-Due (pictured) and Joshua Oursler were selected Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert respectively and will preside over the five-day festival, which focuses on the county’s agrarian way of life.
Judging for various entries from local residents took place Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The gates open Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 4:30 p.m. The fair’s popular carnival will open at 5 p.m. On opening night fairgoers may enter the grounds for either $1 or by donating a 14 ounce or larger food can.
The Calvert Idol contest will open at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds pavilion. On Saturday night, Oct. 3 the winner of the talent competition will be announced.
Thursday, Oct. 1 is Senior Citizen and Handicapped Day at the Calvert County Fair. Festivities during the day include the Red Hat Parade, the Senior King and Queen crowning, plus musical performances by the Calvert High Chorus and Rockin’ Elvis.
Friday, Oct. 2 is arguably the most popular and busiest day at the fair—Youth Day. Those driving to the fair Friday, Saturday and Sunday need to know no vehicles will be allowed to turn left off of Route 231 into the fairgrounds during those hours. An alternate route would be to use Route 506 (Sixes Road ) to Route 508 (Adelina Road) to Route 231, which would allow a right turn into the fairgrounds. Once the fairground parking lots are full, satellite parking with free shuttle bus service will be available at Hallowing Point Park on Friday, and at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick campus Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4. During rush hour traffic, no access to the lots on the fairgrounds will be granted for a period of time in order to ease the flow of traffic on Route 231.
On Youth Day, Friday, Oct. 2, parents may drop off and pick up children at Barstow Elementary School on J.W. Williams Road., Barstow from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Free bus service will be available to transport children from Barstow Elementary to the fairgrounds main gate, and a police officer will be on duty at the school. The school is a drop-off and pick-up location only, not a parking location.
Youth Day performers include Reggie Rice Magic Show and Vincenta’s White Tigers. The Youth Day Bike Drawing takes place at 4 p.m.
Saturday’s highlights include performances by the BADD Company Dance team, Jenny’s Gymnastics, the Diane Herbert Dancers and the Julie Rogers Dance Studio. Mark’s Electronics will be presenting Redskin alumni Darryl Grant and Clinton Portis, along with Chief Zee, signing autographs starting at 4 p.m. The 4-H Livestock Auction begins at 6 p.m.
The Calvert County Fair wraps up Sunday, Oct. 4 with the Antique Tractor Pull at 10 a.m., the 2015 Children Contest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., performances by Chesapeake Country Cruizers and Bill Yates and Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.
Woodcarver Dennis Beach will work his chainsaw magic throughout the fair and his works will be auctioned off Sunday beginning at 3 p.m.
Sunday is also Military Day at the Calvert County Fair and military personnel will be admitted free with the proper identification.
General admission to the fair is $5 for anyone 12 and older, free for anyone 11 and under.
For more information call the Calvert County Fair office at 410-535-0026.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com