1998: Walton Mason Family

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Mason Family

Walton and Mildred Mason own and operate their Woodbine Farm, a 105-acre dairy operation that has been in Mildred’s family for over seven generations with more than 260 years of farming history. They raise corn, wheat and barley. As an active member of Maryland’s agricultural and civic communities, Walton has served as a member and leader in numerous organizations. He served as part of the grounds and entertainment committee for the first fair and later became a member of the fair board of directors and served on the board for 11 years. In the 1970s he served two terms as county commissioner and for each of the fair’s 50 years he has served the fair in some capacity, whether it be as head of the Calvert Grange, as a 4-H leader, as a judge, or as part of a fair committee. Walton is one of the few who can say that he has served the Cecil County Fair for 50 years. Perhaps his most important contribution was his involvement in the founding of the fair itself. Mildred was an elementary school teacher at Calvert Elementary School and a substitute teacher. Walton and Mildred along with their children were active members of the Cecil County 4-H.

Ceremony Date: 2/4/1999