Cecil County Fair Guide 2023

CECIL COUNTY

FAIR GUIDE

SEE P. 8 FOR FAIR MAP

2023

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SUMMER 2023

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CECIL COUNTY FAIR RETURNS JULY 21

By JANE BELLMYER jbellmyer@cecilwhig.com

FAIR HILL — The Cecil County Fair returns July 21 and runs through July 29 and the Cecil County Fair Board has some changes this year; some subtle, others not so much.

“The Power Wheels Derby was well-received last year,” said Don Moore, president of the Cecil County Fair Board of Directors.

This year there will be two nights of miniature derby fun for children ages 4 to 10.

July 28 and 29 at 7:30 is the time for this year’s Power Wheels Derby. Only 30 racers are allowed each night. Pre-registration is required by got to the Cecil County Fair website. The Demolition Derby, of course, will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as well as a Saturday matinee.

Also new this year is the minimum age to drive in the Demolition Derby.

“Now you have to be 18,” Moore said. That’s a switch from 16.

Admission to the Cecil County Fair is $4 for adults at the gate

on opening night and $6 for the rest of the 9-day run. Senior citizens and kids 6-12 get in for half price. Kids 6 and younger get in free. Get discounts by purchasing online before the fair begins. Degeller Attractions is also of fering discount bracelets for the carnival rides. This includes Buddy Night where the purchase of two bracelets is $30; a $10 savings.

Reser ved seating will be added to the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo this year, Moore said. It has been a fixture for the Demolition Derby for years. Fans of the rodeo can purchase a guaranteed seat at CecilCountyFair.org.

Truck and tractor pulls run July 22 through the 24th, nightly. The rodeo is Tuesday and Wednesday night with the Demolition Derby the final three nights.

Cecil County Fair souvenirs return this year. Purchase an of ficial t-shir t at the fair of fice next to the grandstands.

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CECIL WHIG FILE PHOTO BY MATT HUBBARD

Connor Shuler won the first Power Wheels Derby last year. It was so popular that Cecil County Fair organizers put two nights on the schedule this year; July 28 and 29.

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CECIL COUNTY FAIR RETURNS JULY 21

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From Page 3

sion will be a presentation on small ruminants. The Ag Showcase will begin at 10 a.m.

Ever y night at the Cecil County Fair will be a concer t featuring local and regional bands. Rock, countr y, bluegrass, gospel and contemporar y Christian bands will be on stage outside of the Ed Walls building.

“That seemed to work for ever ybody,” Moore said of the location right next to Degeller Attractions’ rides and midway.

He noted it kept the entertainment all together instead of sending concer t goers to a field far of f from the mainstream.

Moore said there will be some new food vendors this year including one selling suCECIL WHIG FILE PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER shi.

At the Cecil County Fair 4-H members compete to see who has done Of course, a trip to the Cethe best job of raising and caring for animals. The public is welcome and cil County Fair should include encouraged to visit the exhibit barns during the Cecil County Fair and a stroll through the exhibit talk to 4-Hers about their projects. barns to see all the projects

Mobile Glass Studio and blacksmith Jason Anderson return this year and Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant returns. He was last at the fair in 2018. New enter tainment is Gail Mirabella and her Pool Par ty Pooches. This act features rescue dogs per forming in and around the water.

Tuesday at the Cecil County Fair always means the Ag Showcase. This year, Moore said, the focus of the information coming from the showcase will be for the backyard farmer with a kitchen garden and a few goats, chickens or other livestock.

“People always think of this as being for the big farmers,” he said, pointing to the typical displays of large farm equipment and conversations about tic and global agriculture is- it for ever ybody.” the U.S. Farm Bill and domes- sues. “This year we’re gearing Among the topics of discus-

See FAIR Page 6

CECIL WHIG FILE PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER

Along with Team Uprooted chainsaw artists and blacksmith Jason Anderson, Mobile Glass Studios will once again be at the Cecil County Fair so you can take a break and watch craftsmanship in action.

Come see animals like Kazar the Giraffe, Alexis the Tiger and Zoe the Zebra in a very close and intimate setting.

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From Page 4

that 4-H members have brought for competition. Notice this year that there will be no chickens, ducks, geese or swans on display this year. The ongoing Avian Influenza outbreak means these animals will not be allowed at the fair. 4-H members will be showing those animals vir tually. However, the herds of cows, goats, sheep, pigs and horses as well as rabbits will be on display.

Once again this year, the 4-H Livestock Sale will be held on the final Saturday and Rebecca Kelly, Fair Board Director in charge of the sale, said the animals will be sold at auction by the head instead of by the pound. Kelly said it makes the process easier

for ever yone, but especially for the buyer.

The Cecil County Fair turns 70 next year and Moore said that one of the exhibit barns still in use probably pre-dates that first fair. Once this year’s fair is in the books that structure will be demolished and replaced.

“We got permission to do the replacement but by that time all the contractors were hired out,” he said. That meant one more fair in the ancient barn. “When we rebuild it will be two levels.”

That means the building will work with the slope of the ground, but also make it more useful for the fair by providing storage, he said.

Parking for the Cecil County Fair is free. Watch for signs directing traf fic to that area where shuttles CECIL WHIG FILE PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER will transpor t you to the Degeller Attractions brings its midway to the Cecil County Fair and will once again sell discount bracelets so you can ride unlimited fair admission gates. rides.

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ADMISSION FEES AND PRICING Friday, July 21 Gate price; online price (service charges not included in online prices) Adults (13-59): $4; $3 Seniors (60+): $2; $1 Kids (6-12): $2; $1 Kids under 6: free Please note that no animals are on the grounds this day.

Saturday, July 22, through Saturday, July 29: Gate price; online price (service charges not included in online prices) Adults (13-59): $6; $5 Seniors (60+): $3; $2 Kids (6-12): $3; $2 Kids under 6: free Your entrance fee covers everything except rides and food, including all events.

Free shuttle rides from the parking lot to the front gate every day from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Reser ve Seating: Due to past events, we will no longer allow the use of blankets (or tarps, etc…) to reserve seats at the fair. In their place we will be selling reserve seating tickets for the rodeo and demolition derby nights of the fair.

This is an opportunity to reserve your very own seat on the demolition derby nights. Once you have obtained your ticket for the event it is yours for the night! You

are free to get up and walk around, knowing you still have a seat to come back to.

The reserved seating sections are located on the Fair Hill Racetrack side of the main arena. The entrance to the reserved seating is located behind the bleachers.

All seats are first come first serve. You can purchase your tickets online or during the week of the fair at the fair office, between the hours of 10am-9pm. On the nights of the rodeo and the derby, tickets will be sold until 8:30 or until the seats are sold out.

Please keep in mind we cannot hold tickets, since these seats are first come first serve. Also note that you must still purchase a general admission ticket to enter the fair.

Reserve tickets will be $10 for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Again, we will not be allowing the use of blankets to save seats in general seating.

Unattended blankets will be donated to charity.

We appreciate your patience as we work to provide a more enjoyable environment for everyone at the fair.

Midway Information: Please note that prices and specials have changed.

This year Deggeller’s will be using FunTagg cards instead of individual tickets. These are reloadable cards to which you can add credits

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Connor Shuler, 5, of North East cheers in celebration after winning the first annual PowerWheel Derby at the Cecil County Fair.

to pay for rides. There is a one time $2 activation fee for purchasing a card. There is no additional fee for adding credits after purchase, and cards can be kept and used at future fairs and other events that use the same cards.

Arm bands for ride specials will work the same as previous years. There is a $2 service charge per arm band, and they are only good for the night they are purchased on.

Friday, July 21: Open at 5 pm, pay one

price: $20 all you can ride until closing. Arm band goes off sale 1 hour prior to closing Saturday, July 22: Open at 2 pm, pay one price special: $28 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special are available from 2 pm – 7 pm.

Sunday, July 23: Open at 2pm, pay one price special: $23 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special are available from 2 pm – 7 pm.

Monday, July 24: Open at 5pm, pay one price: $23 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special are available from 5 pm – 7 pm.

Tuesday, July 25: BUDDY NIGHT – Open at 5 pm, Bring a buddy and get 2 arm bands for $30. $20 for individual arm bands. 5 pm to closing. Arm band sold until 9 pm.

Wednesday, July 26: Open at 5 pm, pay one price: $23 all you can ride until closing.

Arm band for ride special available 5 pm – 7 pm.

Thursday, July 27: Open at 5 pm, pay one price: $23 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special available 5 pm – 7 pm.

Friday, July 28: Open at 5 pm, pay one price: $23 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special available 5 pm – 7 pm.

Saturday, July 29: Open at 2 pm, pay one price: $28 all you can ride until closing. Arm band for ride special available 2 pm – 7 pm.

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CECIL COUNTY FAIR MAP 2023

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CECIL COUNTY FAIR RETURNS JULY 21 Friday, July 21 6:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 6:00 PM: Cow Chip Toss – Swine Barn Sneak Preview — Discount Admission Fee 6:30 PM: Antique Tractor and Machinery Parade 6:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant (No animals on grounds until July 22nd) 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Throwback Junkies (Classic Rock) 6:00 PM: 4 Wheel Drive Diesel Truck Pulls, Farm Stock Trac3 – 8 PM: Home Arts & Garden Exhibit Entries received 8:00 PM: Heavy Class Antique Tractor Pull (Sponsored by: tors, and Mini-Modified Tractors (Sponsored by: Dixie Land En(NO INDOOR ENTRIES RECEIVED ON SATURDAY) Chick-fil-A of Elkton) ergy) 5:00 PM: Midway opens 8:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 6:30 PM: 4-H Fashion Revue – Stafford Pavilion 5 – 10 PM: Mobile Glass Studios Glass Blowing Demonstrations 8:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 6:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving and Blacksmith Demonstrations 9:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Face Value (Contemporary Christian) 6:00PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches Sunday, July 23 8:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 6:30PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant Old Time Farm Weekend Featuring Allis Chalmers Tractors and 8:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 7:30 PM: Detroit Shoot-Out – Classic Tractor pull (Sponsored Equipment 9:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving by: Chick-fil-A of Elkton) Sponsored by Dixie Land Energy Monday, July 24 8:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 7:30 AM: Registration for Cecil County 4-H Camp 5K Fun Run Children’s Day 9:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 8:00 AM: Market animal weigh-in Sponsored by: Ourisman Ford 9:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 8:30 AM: English Show – 4-H Horse and Pony 7 – 10 AM: 4-H dairy Entries received Saturday, July 22 8:30 AM: Cecil County 4-H Camp 5K Fun Run 10 AM – 2 PM: Children’s Day Activities Old Time Farm Weekend Featuring Allis Chalmers Tractors and 9:00 AM: Cavy Show with Rabbit Show to follow 11:00 AM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant Equipment 10:00 AM: Lawn Tractor Pull 11:00 AM: 4-H Computer and Electric Events – Barn A 7 – 11 AM, 2 – 4 PM: 4-H Livestock Animals Arrive 10 AM – 2 PM: Antique Tractor Display 11:30 AM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 8:30 AM: English Show – Open Horse and Pony 11:00 AM: Tractor ride thru Fair Hill NRMA 1:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 10:00 AM: Light Class Antique Tractor Pull 1:00 PM: Home Arts Building opens 2:00 PM: 4-H Lawn Tractor Event – Field Area Under Tent 10:00 AM: Antique Tractor Display (All Day) 1:00 PM: Dairy Goat Show – Swine Barn 2 – 4 PM: 4-H Dairy Entries received 2:00 PM: Midway opens 2:00 PM: Midway Opens 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios – Glass Blowing Demonstra2:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 2:00 PM: Farm Bureau Ambassador tions and Blacksmith Demonstrations 3:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 2:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 4:00 PM: Meat Goat Show 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios Glass Blowing Demonstrations 3:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 4 – 7 PM: Republican Chicken Barbecue and Blacksmith Demonstrations 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios Glass Blowing Demonstrations 5:00 PM: Midway Opens 3:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving and Blacksmith Demonstrations 5:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 4:00 PM: Tug-o-War – Main Arena 3:00 PM: 4-H Welding Event – Barn B See SCHEDULE 5:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 4:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving Page 10 6:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 5:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches

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7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic Turnpike (Bluegrass) 7:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches From 7:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant Page 9 8:00 PM: RODEO: Painted Pony Championship Rodeo Sponsored by: Apple Auto 6:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 8:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 6:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 9:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Ride the Goat (Rock) 9:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 7:00 PM: Hay Toss Wednesday, July 26 7:00 PM: 4-Wheel Drive Gas Truck Pull and Hot Stock Tractors Military Appreciation Day Sponsored by: Ourisman Ford Sponsored by: Apple Auto 7:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 8:30 AM: Jumper Horse Show 8:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 9:00 AM: Swine Show with Dairy Steer and Beef Shows to fol8:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving low Tuesday, July 25 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios – Glass Blowing DemonstraAg Day tions and Blacksmith Demonstrations Sponsored by: Apple Auto 4:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 8:00 AM: 4-H Horse Dressage & Combined Test 5:00 PM: Midway Opens 9:00 AM: Sheep Show 5:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 10 AM – 2 PM: Ag Showcase – Field Tent 5:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 10:00 AM: 4-H Bicycle Safety Written Exam – Barn B 6:30PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 12:30 PM: Ag Showcase Pig Roast – Field Tent 6:30 PM: Cecil Celebrities: Barnyard Event – Stafford Pavilion 2:00 PM: 4-H Jumper Show 7:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios Glass Blowing Demonstrations 7:00 PM: Pie Eating Contest – Stafford Pavilion and Blacksmith Demonstrations 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Justin Taylor Band (Rock/County 4:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving Pop) 4:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 7:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 5:00 PM: Midway Opens 7:30 PM: Wood Carving, Blown Glass, & Ironworks Live Auc5:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant tion – Field Tent 6:00 PM: Swine Fitting and Showing 8:00 PM: RODEO: Painted Pony Championship Rodeo Spon6:30 PM: Pedal Tractor Pull sored By: Apple Auto

9:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 9:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches Thursday, July 27 Gospel Night Sponsored By: Hillside Oil 10:00 AM: Dairy Cattle Show 11:00 AM: 4-H ATV Event – Field Area 2:00 PM: 4-H Small Engine Event – Field Area 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios – Glass Blowing Demonstrations and Blacksmith Demonstrations 4:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 5:00 PM: Midway Opens 5:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 5:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 6:00 PM: LIVE MUSIC: GOSPEL NIGHT – Featuring: The Browders, Down East Boys, The Nottingham Four, & Downin Lane (Sponsored by Senator Jason Gallion) 6:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 7:00 PM: All-Star Showmanship Contest 7:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 8:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 8:00 PM: Demolition Derby: Featuring the School Bus Heat (Sponsored By: Hillside Oil) 8:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 9:15 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches Friday, July 28 4-H Appreciation Day Sponsored by: Elkton Recycling 8:30 AM: 4-H Western Horse Show See SCHEDULE Page 14

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4-H HOLDS ANNUAL FASHION REVUE JUDGING CONTEST her generic description by commenting, “If I had to pick one, it would be Taylor Swift.”

As for Cruz, he was bedecked in a white cowboy hat, brown cowboy boots, red chaps over faded blue jeans and a dark blue shirt with white-stitched piping beneath a red vest. Holding a blue lasso that served as an accessory, the boy also sported a brown belt with a big silver buckle.

“I am a bull-rider,” Cruz explained matter-of-factly.

Accompanied by their mother, Elkton-area resident Heather Quinteros, Rosemary and Cruz were among the twelve Cecil County 4H members who participated Saturday in the Fashion Revue Judging Contest ahead of the annual 4-H

Fashion Revue, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 23 under the Carl Stafford ELKTON — As the Cecil Pavilion during the Cecil County Fair nears, the roCounty Fair. deo vibe was strong when During that fashion revue eight-year-old Rosemary — the annual event dates Quinteros and her brother, back more than 50 years Cruz, 6, simultaneously — the judges will announce struck poses last Saturday the ribbon-winners of Satmorning inside the Cecil urday’s Judging Contest in County Extension Office its two categories — ready near Elkton while sporting to wear and sewing contheir eye-catching outfits. struction, according to Joan Rosemary was clad in a Gaffney, a member of the black cowboy hat, red boots Fashion Review Committee and a pink and white dress who is also a 4-H volunteer that featured a Gingham patand, in addition, runs her tern on the top part of the own 4-H Club. Children and frock and a polka dot design teens from ages 8 to 18 are on the skirt section. Frilly, eligible to be 4-H members. white lace accented the Competitors in the readysleeves of her dress. to-wear category can model “I am a country singer,” outfits that they created with Rosemary volunteered and clothing “from the store or then quickly followed up from their closet,” Gaffney said. The construction category is for participants who designed and sewed their outfits, she added. Regardless of which category a child or teen chooses, valuable lessons are learned, according to Gaffney.

“One girl told me she learned about budgeting.

They learn where to buy.

It teaches them selection,” Gaffney said. “Sewing teaches them about colors and patterns. It teaches them how to select patterns and even modify patterns to put their own spin on it, to make it their own.”

Rosemary, who will be starting third grade after summer break, and Cruz, who will be entering kindergarten, competed in the ready-to-wear category.

Saturday marked the first time that Cruz competed in a fashion show, and he admitted that he was a little nervous.

As for Rosemary, though, she is a seasoned veteran.

She participated in the 4-H Fashion Revue for the first time last year, sewing her outfit to compete in the construction category. When asked on Saturday if she Hannah Johnson, 12, of Rising Sun, poses in her evening gown was apprehensive about the Saturday during a break in the 4-H Fashion Revue Judging fashion show, Rosemary said, “Nope,” and smiled.

Contest at the Cecil County Extension Office near Elkton.

By CARL HAMILTON cahamilton@cecilwhig.com

CECIL WHIG PHOTOS BY CARL HAMILTON

Cruz Quinteros (left), 6, and his eight-year-old sister, Rosemary, strike a pose Saturday during the 4-H Fashion Revue Judging Contest at the Cecil County Extension Office near Elkton. The winners will be announced during the annual 4-H Fashion Revue, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 23 under the Carl Stafford Pavilion on the Fair Hill fairgrounds. The revue will take place during the Cecil County Fair.

Ellianna Cordrey, 7, of Oxford, Pa., twirls in her purple Swing Era dress Saturday during a break in the 4-H Fashion Revue Judging Contest in the Cecil County Extension Office near Elkton.

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THE ROCKY BEGINNINGS OF CECIL’S FIRST FAIR

By CAROL DONACHE Special to the Whig

PHOTO COURTESY OF HSCC

The cover of the booklet for the fifth annual Agricultural Fair held in 1884.

This story originally ran in the Cecil Whig on July 19, 2019 FAIR HILL — It’s summertime, and the living is easy, or so the old song goes. In Cecil County the days (and nights) are hot and sultry, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for the Cecil County Fair.

While we may come to expect the sights and sounds of the fair in July, when the Cecil County Agricultural Society Fair was established in 1880 after several false starts it was actually held in October.

As early as 1875, citizens of the county attempted to organize an agricultural society of our own; many of our farmers were members of the Oxford (Pa.) Agricultural Society. In late March 1875, as reported by the Cecil Whig, “Pursuant to the call by a number of the leading farmers of the county published last week, a meeting of those in favor of forming a County Association was held in the office of the School Commissioners, at Elkton, on Tuesday last.”

A Board of Managers was elected at this meeting, where they signed a constitution, established committees, and elected officers before agreeing to meet again on the second Tuesday in April in Elkton.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HSCC

Detail of pet competition from fifth annual fair booklet.

While this was a promising start, no mention could be found of that April meeting, but in the May 15, 1875 edition of the Whig, it is noted that the Oxford Press reported on an arbor day held for the Oxford Agricultural Society, with five of the finest trees donated by George Balderston, of Colora.

The writer closes with a somewhat plaintive question: “Wonder when our Agricultural Society will be strong enough to own a fair ground?”

The answer would be, not for some time yet. No further articles regarding our Agricultural Society appear in the Whig until April 15, 1876, when a brief mention of a meeting reports that bylaws were approved and committees were formed for each district in order to solicit subscriptions. Another 18 months would pass before something newsworthy would occur: “We are pleased to be able to announce

that a start towards the establishment of an agricultural society, with its accompanying exhibitions, has been made in the county.”

The Cecil Farmers Club, a separate organization, were to have a show of farm stock and produce. The item concludes, “We trust that from this effort will spring a regular county organization.”

But it was not to be. It isn’t clear why this early agricultural society seemed to fizzle out before it really got started. A writer for the Whig lamented in the June 7, 1879, issue, “The adjoining counties each have flourishing agricultural societies. Why can’t Cecil have one?”

No answer was forthcoming, yet little did that individual know his wishes would be granted in a year’s time.

Formal meetings of the new Agricultural Society began on June 9, 1880. By July 3, the Cecil Democrat reported that at the latest meeting possible venues for a fair were discussed, and they included the “Gilpin Lot,” near Gilpin’s Bridge, “... and a lot owned by Dr. R. C. Mackall on Landing Lane, south of Little Elk.” By July 31, the society had decided on the “large field of Aaron G. Tuite, adjacent to the railroad, beSee FIRST FAIR Page 14

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Cecil Bank

offers support and sends best wishes to our local community & vendors at the Cecil County Fair

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FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

FIRST FAIR

SCHEDULE From Page 10

From Page 13

ing favorably considered by the committee, they were instructed to arrange for leasing or purchasing it …”

Proposals for building the grandstand were solicited in the newspapers in late August, and at the same time ads began appearing for the fair, to be held Oct. 13, 14, and 15. From such a slow start, things were now fairly whizzing along.

Special excursion trains for the fair were to be run to bring attendees within short walking distance of the fairgrounds, and public interest was whipped up by items like the following: “A gentleman closely connected with the Agricultural Society, and a lover of good trotters, urged his thorough-bred to such great speed on the race course one day this week that his coat tail was slit to the collar by the current created.”

A report on the success of our first fair appeared in the Oct. 16 issue of the Cecil Democrat. An entire page is devoted to the goings-on of the three-day entertainment. The correspondent waxes rhapsodic, writing: “The thought, care and labor of the Directors and the honest work of their employees, seconded by the prompt support of the farmers and ladies of the county and outside exhibitors, have made the First Annual Fair of the Cecil County Agricultural Society all that its projectors could have hoped for.”

That first fair was to continue for 20 years before finally succumbing to economics, no longer raising enough money to remain profitable. How lucky we are that our citizens cared enough to resurrect the fair, going strong now for 65 consecutive years.

SUMMER 2023

10:00 AM: 4-H Small & Large Pets Show, followed by the 4-H Pygmy Goat Show 12:00 noon: 4-H Farm Tractor Safety Event – Field Area

by Stage 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Studios – Glass Blowing Demonstrations and Blacksmith Demonstrations 4:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 5:00 PM: Midway Opens 5:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 6:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 6:30 PM: 4–H Pretty Animal Contest – Stafford Pavilion 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Scott Bandy & Ceciltucky (Country) 7:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 7:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 8:00 PM: Demolition Derby PHOTO COURTESY OF HSCC Ad appearing in the Cecil Whig (Sponsored By: Elkton Recyfor the first annual Agricultural cling) 8:30 PM: Team Uprooted – Fair in 1880.

Congratulations to all the Cecil County Fair participants & contestants!

Extreme Chainsaw Carving 9:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 9:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant Saturday, July 29 Demo Derby Day Sponsored by Ourisman Ford 8:30 AM: Open Western Horse Show 8:30 AM: 4-H Dog Show Registration 9:00 AM: Pretty Baby Contest 9:00 AM: 4-H Dog Show – Field Area Under Tent 11:00 AM: 4-H Livestock Sale Social 12:00 PM: 4-H Livestock Sale – Stafford Pavilion 1:30 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 2:00 PM: Midway Opens 2:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 2:00 PM: Demo Derby Matinee 3 – 9 PM: Mobile Glass Blowing – Glass Blowing Demonstrations and Blacksmith Demonstrations 3:30 PM: Clover Show and Tell 4:00 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant

4:30 PM: 4-H Awards Ceremony – Stafford Pavilion 5:00 PM: Team Uprooted – Extreme Chainsaw Carving 6:00 PM: Youth Big Wheel Contest – Grandstand Area 7:00 PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 7:00 PM: Wood Carving, Blown Glass Live Auction, & Ironworks Live Auction 7 – 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC: Leadfoot (Rock) 7:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant 8:00 PM: Demolition Derby (Sponsored by Ourisman Ford) 9:00PM: Gail Mirabella & Pool Party Pooches 9:30 PM: Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant Sunday, July 30 Clean-up Day 8:00 AM – noon: Home Arts & Farm and Garden Exhibits picked up/claimed 2:00 PM: All Livestock must be removed by this time & pens must be clean Other fair info: All events and times are subject to change.

All midway opening and run times are weather dependent.

An Employee Owned Company

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SUMMER 2023

FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

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FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

SUMMER 2023

SCENES FROM FAIRS PAST

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER

Cecil County Councilman and farmer Al Miller shows he knows what he is doing in the Cecil Celebrities: Barnyard Event at the Cecil County Fair. He was one of 8 celebrity contestants.

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER

Erick Dominguez skips rope as he walks on a spinning wheel, part of the Majestik Spectacular performance at the Cecil County Fair.

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY MATT HUBBARD CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY ERIK HALBERG

Drivers collide during a heat event Saturday during the demolition derby.

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SUMMER 2023

FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

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FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

SUMMER 2023

SCENES FROM FAIRS PAST

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER

Herman Cook uses 10 different whistles to tell Buster, his Hangin Tree Cowdog, which way to go to round up the cows and get them into the trailer.

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY JANE BELLMYER

Bruce Bennett, the judge for the Cecil County 4-H Goat Show, offers advice to a 4-H member during competition.

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY ERIK HALBERG

Contestants in the 2022 4-H Fashion Revue wait to model their outfits at the Cecil County Fair last Sunday.

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SUMMER 2023

FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

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FAIR PROGRAM GUIDE

SUMMER 2023

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