The first Calvert County fair was held in 1886 on the farm of Dr. Talbott in Smithville, what is now Dunkirk.  This farm is still owned by his heirs, the Eisemans.

The first fair was primarily for horse racing, showing cattle and tobacco and providing men with a chance to visit one another.  Before World War I reduced attendance, the fair grew under the direction of John Drury, of the Extension Service in Calvert County.

During the 1920s and 1930s, John Morsell, county agent, encouraged farmers to attend the fair for educational purposes.  In 1940, several Farm Bureau members including John Morsell, Ellis Bowen, and Claude Turner coordinated the purchase of the first 9 acres that grew into the fairgrounds county residents know today.

There is still time to have a great time at the 2008 Calvert County Fair.  Events scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28, include:

Calvert County Fair Schedule

Saturday, Sept., 27

9  a. m.:       Fairs Main Gates Open
10  a. m.:         Carnival Opens
10  a. m.:         Baby Contest:  Show I – 6 to 15 months – preregistration required
10  a. m.:         Dick’s Talents (Main Stage)
10:30 a. m.:     Kountry K-9 Show
10:30 a. m.:     Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
11  a. m.:         Dennis Beach Wood Carving
11:30 a. m.:     Southern Barnyard Runners
12  p. m.:         Bad Company Dance Team (Main Stage)
12  p. m.:         Kountry K-9 Show
1  p. m.:           Tots Contest – 2-3 years – Preregistration required
1:30 p. m.:       Dick’s Talents (Main Stage
2  p. m.:           Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
2:30 p. m.:       Dennis Beach Wood Carving
3  p. m.:           Registration Deadline for the Youth Pie Eating Contest
3  p. m.:           Southern Barnyard Runners
3  p. m.: – 5 p. m.:  Autographs by Former Redskins Pat Fischer,Ron McDole
3:30 p. m.:       Kountry K-9 Show
4  p. m.: – 6 p. m.:  Autographs by former Redskin Gary Clark
5  p. m.: – 7 p. m.:  Autographs by former Redskin Ricky Sanders
4:30 p. m.:       Dennis Beach Wood Carving
4:30 p. m.:       Youth Pie Eating Contest
5  p. m.:           4-H Livestock Auction Registration
5:30 p. m.:       Southern Barnyard Runners
6  p. m.:           4-H Livestock Auction (Show Ring)
6:30 p. m.:       Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
6:30 p. m.:       Kountry K-9 Show
7  p. m.:           Horse Pull (Track)
7  p. m.:           Chesa