LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Fair is inviting skilled artisans, bakers and craftspeople from across Southern Maryland to step behind the scenes and learn what it takes to judge one of the region’s longest-running traditions.
The fair will host a Fair Judging Seminar on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, 42455 Fairgrounds Road in Leonardtown. Organizers say the event is designed for individuals with experience in baking, needle arts, food preservation, crafts, woodworking and photography who are interested in volunteering or becoming fair judges.
“If you’re experienced … and interested in learning more about the judging process, this seminar is for you,” the fair’s Facebook post reads, encouraging Southern Maryland residents to turn their passion and expertise into service for the community event. “Cookies posted to attract your attention,” the post adds with a touch of humor.
The daylong seminar will feature instructional sessions led by experienced judges and exhibitors, covering multiple departments traditionally featured in the fair’s Home Arts and craft competitions.
Among the offerings:
- Baked goods sessions focusing on cakes, pies, breads and cookies, led by Donna Hill
- Woodworking sessions instructed by Lew Bunch and Steve Roznowski
- Food preservation courses taught by Geneva Leon
- Handspinning, weaving and felting sessions with Beth Truesdale
- Needle art classes, including counted thread, embroidery, sewing, smocking and quilting, led by Maggie Bunch
- Crochet sessions instructed by Kunni Biener
- A crafts session focused on logos is also scheduled, with an instructor to be announced
Participants may select from four session blocks throughout the day and are not required to attend a class during every session period.
Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided, though organizers note dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.
In-person registration will be held from 8 to 8:45 a.m. in the Tolerance Hall building at the fairgrounds. Those who wish to register online may email a completed form to smcfairhomearts@gmail.com.
The St. Mary’s County Fair, a late-summer tradition in Leonardtown, relies on volunteer judges to evaluate hundreds of entries each year, from homemade jams and artisan breads to quilts, woodcrafts and photography. Organizers say the seminar aims to ensure consistency, fairness and a deeper understanding of judging standards while cultivating the next generation of volunteers.
By opening the judging process to experienced community members, fair officials hope to strengthen both the integrity of competition and the sense of local pride that has long defined the annual event.
For those with a practiced eye (and perhaps a love of blue-ribbon cookies), March 7 offers a chance to help shape the standards behind the scenes.
The next St. Mary’s County Fair will be held Sept. 24-27, 2026.
The St. Mary’s County Fair is produced by the St. Mary’s County Fair Association. Follow their Facebook and website for continuous updates.
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