PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Fair is underway and is running through Sunday, Sept. 28. This year marks the fair’s 138th year, and it’s packed with fun and education. A day at the fair is a great way to celebrate the history and culture of Calvert County and spend time with family and friends.
The fair will be open to all from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night for its duration and also has special deals and programs. During our visit on Wednesday, our admission cost was one canned food item each that went toward charity programs.
Remember that ride tickets are sold separately and that the fair is packed with events. If possible, decide what you want to see in advance so you can plan ahead — otherwise you risk missing something you care about. Everyone has a different agenda for the fair, so whether it’s bake sales, cheering on Calvert County Idol contestants or rooting for a champion racing pig, there’s something for you and you won’t want to miss out.
Admission is cash only! There are ATMs nearby but beware of the $3.99 processing fee. Most vendors at the fair do accept cards or Apple Pay.
Livestock And 4-H
There are three main livestock pavilions. They have goats, sheep, pigs, cows, poultry and rabbits. These exhibits hold the show animals and animals available for sale and auction. In the nearby show arena, 4-H participants prepare and show their animals. You can walk through the livestock pavilions as long as you keep your hands to yourself, but feel free to congratulate 4-H winners.
Rides And Activities
There were plenty of rides to choose from at varying thrill levels. Tickets were available individually or in packages. We opted for the wristbands, which were $20 per person on Wednesday and let us onto unlimited rides. The wristband wound up being a great deal because the fair wasn’t too crowded and we got to repeat several rides. Plus, with more than one person, it’s more cost-effective than buying packs of tickets.
In addition to the rides, the fair has games like a fishing pond, balloon darts, water gun races and more. You’ll also find bouncy houses, a cowboy stunt show and a foam pit. Our surprise favorite was the pig races, which were equally silly and delightful.
The opening ceremonies were short and meaningful, and Calvert Idol contestants could be heard throughout the fair as they performed their first acts of the weekend.
Special Exhibits
The antique tractor exhibit and the farm history section were both really interesting and added an educational layer to our fair experience. The 4-H pavilion really showcases all the hard work the participants put in this year and brought in that sense of community Calvert residents love. We also saw award-winning plants, crafts and baked goods in the pavilions.
Food And Drink
No shortage of options here, but the food is half the fun, right? Enjoy fair food like funnel cake, fries, ice cream and cotton candy, just to name a few. Luckily, you’ll find fresh-squeezed lemonade everywhere you turn.
Enjoy the fair!
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