Welcome to the Maryland State Fair

By Secretary Joe Bartenfelder

Published in the August 26, 2017 Issue of Lancaster Farming

As the season comes to an end, I invite you all join us as we celebrate “The 11 Best Days of Summer!’ The 136^th Maryland State Fair will run from August 24 until September 4 at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

As Secretary of Agriculture, I am honored to represent the most important industry in this State. I have been able to visit and meet with a number of farmers and producers across the state, but I particularly want to invite those families and residents who haven’t spent much time on a working farm to visit us at the fair.  As farmers, we want to help you understand what we do, how we do it and why we are so proud to be a part of the agricultural industry. Many of the farmers who have brought their animals and exhibitions to the fair have spent many days and long hours getting ready for this week. Unlike any place else, the Maryland State Fair gives everyone an opportunity to see cows being milked, pigs being born, horses racing, livestock being shown, and a wide array of agricultural exhibits.

I also invite all of you to bring your families to visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture at our new location in the Cow Palace this year to get a glimpse of the many diverse services we provide. We do more than just work with farmers to ensure sound farmland management practices. We also help ensure responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides by homeowners and lawn care professionals; monitor the accuracy of gas pumps and grocery scales; control mosquito populations; protect animal health ; and much more.

At the State Fair, we have different interactive games and displays rotating each day throughout the fair that you and your children can play together while learning about different aspects of agriculture.  For instance, the kids can learn how to make slime and snow from our State Chemists, spin the Wheel of Knowledge and win prizes for answering questions about Maryland agriculture, or play “Track Down the Farm Animals”–a game that shows how farmers protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  As a special treat, on September 4, we will have demonstrations on how to shuck an oyster and how to properly pick a crab every 30 minutes.

Horseland – an exhibit that started last year under the tent – will highlight the diversity of Maryland’s horse industry. If you’re interested in riding, racing, breeding or just petting a horse, you’ll want to mosey on over.

In the Farm and Garden Building, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board will bring back its popular remote-controlled race car track in the center of the building and fairgoers can learn more about ethanol fuel. The Maryland Soybean Board will host an interactive biodiesel information kiosk and displays on innovation in agriculture technology, food and how it is grown in Maryland. The State Fair will also feature a butterfly tunnel in the building.

Along the Midway, of course, are rides, food, entertainment and many other displays.  While you enjoy exploring the Maryland State Fair, I hope you remember the true meaning of this event: a celebration of our state’s agriculture industry and its positive impact on our economy, environment, culture and quality of life.

For more information, visit www.marylandstatefair.com.

See you at the Fair!