TIMONIUM, Md. — All eyes were on the 2017 Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Ocean City and other Maryland summer event venues to observe what the economic impact would be after Gov. Larry Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot led the charge to “Let Summer Be Summer” by mandating that schools return after Labor Day. The decision was of particular importance to the Maryland State Fair that annually runs through Labor Day, and whose attendance had been negatively impacted for several decades since schools began to return in mid-August.
“Despite two days of rain, our Fair attendance report shows a 20 percent increase since last year with 555,841 guests and exhibitors who graced our grounds during 12 days of the Maryland State Fair, the third best attendance on record,” said Maryland State Fair Assistant General Manager Becky Brashear. “The return of schools after Labor Day not only increases our attendance, but reduces the stress on our 4-H/FFA and Open Class livestock exhibitors, staff, and leadership who had to juggle schedules to participate in the Fair.”
1990 was the record year with 618,998 in attendance when schools started after Labor Day and weather was good; 2015 was also a record year with 561,426 in attendance, while 2014 came in with 447,648. Deggeller Attractions Midway experienced its third best year. And, there was a significant increase in attendance and wagering during the Thoroughbred Horse Racing days.
“Our Maryland fairgoers are hearty and supportive of this great event, which was evident with packed parking lots, admissions gates, and broad smiles of families enjoying themselves in the Midway and Kiddie Land rides, games and food areas, livestock show arenas, 4-H/Home Arts and Farm & Garden, the Nature Play Space, the Horseland tent, the Thoroughbred horse racing track (the last Fair east of the Mississippi with live Thoroughbred racing and wagering), the Maryland Foods Pavilion, and more,” added Brashear.
Facility improvements, beautification and the addition of new exhibits and events including Innovation Station … STEM Growing with You agriculture education experiences, which included the Butterfly Encounter, an AG Planetarium, the ethanol powered model racecar track and a green wall, added to the excitement.
The World’s Largest Cow Tales® candy and world record candy necklace, both produced by Maryland companies, drew large numbers to the Bulk Candy Store in the Exhibition Hall where fairgoers shopped at vendor booths and enjoyed visits to the Negro League Baseball, Maryland State Agency and other exhibits.
The friendly, fun and educational Are You Smarter than an AG Teacher? competition and the Maryland Farm Bureau Maryland Young Farmers 350-pound Banana Split, using local creamery’s ice cream, drew many to the Cow Palace. And, the Maryland Holstein Futurity showcased some of the best dairy cattle in the country with all of the fanfare of music, spotlights, tuxedos, gowns and milk toasts. Millennials were also drawn to the Chesapeake Beverage Maryland Craft Brew and Wine Station and the first Sunday Funday with corn hole and other games.
Rock band Halestorm and Disney artist Sabrina Carpenter headlined the national acts in the Racetrack Infield, while more than 20 local acts and a Latino Festival took place on the Maryland State Fair Park Free Stage.
“A beautiful fireworks display lit up the skies over the grounds, that brought cheers and accolades from our fair guests and calls with compliments from neighboring communities, which made the Maryland State Fair experience unFAIRgettable for all,” said Brashear. The 2018 Maryland State Fair is scheduled for Aug. 23-Sept. 3.
— Maryland State Fair