TOWSON, Maryland, Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25, 2017 - The Maryland State Fair is open, and despite a load of negative publicity affecting state fairs in general, authorities here believe that this year's version of the annual Maryland get together will continue to draw record crowds.
A primary reason for the continued optimism of the folk who manage the Fair is the relatively reasonable fees charged for the goods and services sold there, and the unprecedented popularity of those goods and services with the people who pay to go to the Maryland State Fair.. Were you to purchase similar goods and services at other venues, you would pay loads more, especially if you had to purchase lodging at the same time. Here in Timonium, the price asked for goods and for services that continue to be in demand is, arguably, quite reasonable. Those reasonable fees, coupled with adequate security and the amiable family type of atmosphere have Marylanders, Southern Pennsylvanians, and even some Virginians and West Virginians flocking up York Road to enter the Fair Grounds. Parking is either free or sold for very reasonable fees, especially when compared to the parking fees in downtown Baltimore and in the nation's capital. If your alternative destination is Ocean City, Virginia Beach, the Appalachian Mountains, or New York City, don't forget to add in what you'll pay for overnight accommodations and, in the case of New York, Ocean City and Virginia Beach, the extra amount you'll pay for food and entertainment. Plus, the weather in these parts tends to moderate in late August - temperatures in Timonium this morning dipped into the mid to upper 50's, and only climbed into the upper 70's this afternoon. All of this adds up to rewarding fair-goers with a very nice way to spend a late summer - or end of summer - afternoon or evening.
One of my favorite places at the fair (and I have quite a few) is the Maryland Food Pavilion. The only foods and beverages on sale in the Maryland Food Pavilion are those produced, grown or raised in the Old Line State. Maryland Lamb is sold here. Maryland Corn - for my admittedly biased dollar, it is quite the bargain - is also on sale here, slathered in freshly drawn butter. Soft crabs from the Chesapeake Bay or the Wye or Chester Rivers satisfy discriminating diners. Maryland Beef, Maryland Chicken and Maryland Pork are also sold here. Generally, the Trade Groups that promote these products year-round sponsor the stands that are selling the various Maryland products.
The crowds were quickly gathering once the gates opened at noon today (Friday). The competitions among the young people who help raise all manner of farm animals and all manner of agricultural products are well underway by the opening hour. Many that are on display are already displaying blue, red and white ribbons, meaning first, second or third prize in the various categories. I saw some truly gorgeous animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and roosters, ducks, and even llamas. Also, there were busy and well-kept bee hives, farm and agricultural craft displays, almost all of them put together by children who join the 4H. Just as impressive are the submissions in the many agricultural competitions. The pumpkins were big, but they were also proportionally grown and meticulously displayed. You should see the vegetables, flowers, trees and other living things which are planted, lovingly nurtured, harvested and carefully prepared for submission to the judges of the competitions.
I have been told that the young people who care for the live stock and plants which are on display here spend countless hours with their charges. At the Fair, many of the young people and more than a few parents bed right down with their cows, sheep, pigs, goats and horses, They want to remain at the sides of the animals they have raised and nurtured. These animals are sometimes frightened by the noise and lighting at the Fair, and the presence of their humans does a world of good for the animals. The Fair lasts ten days, but the competitions are spread out throughout the entire fair run and no animal needs to be at the Fair for anywhere near the entire ten days.
Each animal is bathed, brushed, combed, curled and whatnot.
For non-Farm children and even non-Farm adults, the big attraction at the Maryland State Fair is the midway. That is where the rides are, and that is where the games of chance are. And, naturally, that is where the fried foods are. One stand this year is marked by a huge high sign which screams in giant red letters, "Anything and Everything Deep Fried". If you can name it, they have it and they are deep frying it. They had deep fried pop tarts, deep fried candy bars, deep fried twinkies, deep fried hot dogs and deep fried deep fry. Did I already say that? If your veins aren't clogged when you get here, they will be clogged when you leave.
I have to tell you that I stay off the midway unless the folks I am there with want to go to the midway. Often they do. I will post some photographs that I took later today or tomorrow. And there is some chance I will go to the Fair again tomorrow. Admission for me was $6. There are ways to get in for less and there are ways to be charged more.
It is, of course, quite easy to spend a lot of money at the Maryland State Fair. One tip for not having that happen to you: don't take a lot with you. Does that make me a Scrooge. It is very difficult to do that if you have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, and young friends along with you.
Now, of course, you're saying, wait one minute, you said at the beginning of this article that the Fair had reasonable prices. Then you say it is easy to spend a lot of money. There is no contradiction. Prices are not terrible. But you are tempted to spend a lot, especially is you have children with you. Does this straighten this out?
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