The Charles County Fair finally caught a break. Still recovering from a devastating fire in April, the fair started Thursday with persistent rain driving everyone inside. But perfect weather emerged bringing out large crowds, packed parking lots and a stressed Fairgrounds Road.
The diversity of a growing community was on display everywhere. The carnival area on one side contrasted with the farm oriented area on another side with some temporary show areas set up until the destroyed barns can be replaced. Next to the carnival area the sounds of “Old McDonald Had a Farm” could be heard emanating from the hokey pig races “running” every several hours.
And of course in between was the food area including the ever present funnel cakes and cotton candy along with Krispy Crème hamburgers and deep fried Oreos. Not a place to bump into your cardiologist! While eating the attenders were entertained under the tent with groups such as the classic rock group the Bucket List Band.
Inside the “Garden and Tobacco Building,” was a small fair entry of what used to be the centerpiece of Charles County’s agricultural economy: tobacco. Now, post buyout, the biggest display of tobacco is in the Digges Farm Museum. But the fair schedule is still filled with numerous livestock shows, indicating the rural heritage is still alive in parts of the county.
Attached to this story is a slideshow, one lenses’ view of the 2013 Charles County Fair. Each fairgoer, however, leaves with their own slideshow inside their own camera or in an endless loop of memories inside their heads.
The county fair concludes Sunday. Exhibit buildings close at 6. The commercial buildings and carnival and midway close at 7.
Next on the Southern Maryland fair agenda is the St. Mary’s County Fair, September 19-22 followed by the Calvert County Fair, September 25-29.
