The Calvert County Fair is one of the oldest in Maryland, dating back to 1886 when local men came together to display their cattle and tobacco as a social event. The first few fairs were held in a variety of venues and as the event evolved, the Calvert County Office of Agriculture organized to plan an annual event to showcase southern Maryland agriculture and bring families together to have old-fashioned fun.
Calvert County Fair Today
In 2017, the fair will take place from September 27 to October 1 and will be held, as always, at the Calvert County Fairgrounds, 140 Calvert Fair Rd., Prince Frederick, Maryland. Check the fair website to confirm dates, times, and admission fees.
These days, the fair includes a wide range of activities, among the most popular, the 4-H cattle auctions, the open cattle evaluation, the Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert pageant and the Calvert Fair Idol pageant. Other activities include judging flowers, judging tobacco, carnival games and entertainment, a youth day full of races and other fun contests and performances, and a contest to judge children ages six months to 10 years based on stage performance.
4-H Auctions
The 4-H auction at the fair is held at the Calvert County Fairgrounds 4-H Livestock Barn. Visitors to the fair can purchase a market goat, lamb, pork or beef for the freshest and highest quality meat available. There will be custom processing options available for those looking to purchase market animals to store their freezer. Families can buy an animal only with another family.
Some buyers prefer to add to the livestock collection on their farm, often with a female to use for an initial breeding project.
However, others donate the animals to the Calvert County 4-H Cattle Auction Committee, for processing to produce meat for food pantries. Money donated to fund the 4-H Cattle Auction Committee scholarship fund.
No matter what you decide to buy, the 4-H will provide you with a delicious post-auction dinner.
Open Class Cattle Trial
The Calvert County Fair provides a forum to judge beef, sheep, pig and goats raised by youth and adults for the following awards:
- The best of the show in two categories
- Great champion
- Grand Reserve Champion
Miss Tranquility y Lord Calvert
A young lady and a gentleman are chosen each year based on cumulative grade point average, public speaking, participating in school and community activities, a poster contest, and personal interviews and requests. Winners receive a $ 1,250 scholarship to the postsecondary school of their choice. Plus, they reap all the fun from the event, like riding in parades and wearing their crowns. Emma Bonanno and Calvin Crunkleton, both Northern students, won the titles in 2016.
Calvert Fair Idol Contest
This is a talent show for single vocalists ages 14-29 who can sing a cappella, although they can use recorded instrumental accompaniment during their performance. Vocalists are judged on singing, stage presence, entertainment value, and overall impression. Winners get $ 1,000 for first place, $ 500 for second place, and $ 300 for third place.
