“We try to bring to the county a little bit of education, a little bit of history, a little bit of fun and a memory,” fair spokesman Glenn Belmore told The Bay Net. Those four directives and a lot of fine weather helped make the 84th annual Charles County Fair a decided success. More than 57,600 people attended the 5 day event.

One of the new photo cutouts at this year’s fair.
This hand-painted, hand-carved carousel pony won
first prize and best of show in the Hobby Building.
Longhorn cow on exhibit in the livestock barn.

Behind the rush of the midway, the temptation of the food vendors and the excitement of the competitions, several things made their first appearance at this year’s fair. The improvements integrated with the fair so seamlessly, that attendees probably wouldn’t have noticed the additions as upgrades unless they had a history of working the fair.

Belmore explained that because the fair is the culmination of an impressive quantity of hard work for exhibitors, the fair board continually upgrades the exhibit halls to enhance exhibitors’ memories of displaying that work for the public eye.  This year, several exhibit buildings had improved electrical systems and the grounds by the poultry building near the south entrance had gorgeous arrangements of potted flowers.

One popular new set of items were the hand-painted photo cutouts at strategic places around the fairgrounds. Belmore admitted to The Bay Net that he and his wife created them.  So, he was quite pleased to see them in continuous use every time he walked around the fair.

Also new this year were featured artists’ exhibits and demonstrations, made possible by a grant from the Charles County Arts Alliance.  The Masters of the Chainsaw wood sculpting exhibition drew a large crowd of adults and children.  Spectators stared through fencing and showers of woodchips intent on watching two sawdust-encrusted sculptors, in dust masks and noise control headsets, create incredibly intricate carvings using big bulky chainsaws.

The board has done several things over the last few years to make the fair more family friendly. Not the least of which is free general admission for children ages 10 and under, and this year’s free admission for schoolchildren of any age during the day on Friday.  The fair also opened one evening early, this year, with a big ride discount for thrill-seekers on the midway.

The board feels that the county fair provides the best quantity and variety of entertainment in the area for only $5 general admission.  But, they felt it was important for attendance to give families a break in the cost of admission. 

“The fair is a family event.  We want to bring families in,” Belmore told The Bay Net. 

Many people like the annual tractor-pull in the show ring, but Belmore said his favorite event was the draw-horse pull.  He likes the history of the event; the reminder that agriculture existed long before the advent of gasoline powered engines.