LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Fair will return Sept. 18-21 for its 78th year, bringing four days of agricultural showcases, community traditions and family entertainment to Southern Maryland.
The fairgrounds, located at 42455 Fairgrounds Road in Leonardtown, will open daily with exhibits, livestock shows, rides, parades and evening events.
Admission
- $10 for ages 12 and up
- $2 for children ages 3-11
- Free for children under 3
- Season passes are $25 for adults and $5 for children
- “School Day” — All students admitted free on Friday until 5 p.m.
Parking is available at the fairgrounds, with overflow directed to nearby lots by sheriff’s deputies and volunteers.
The county fair is organized by the St. Mary’s County Fair Association.
Events And Highlights
The schedule features many long-standing favorites. The Queen of Tolerance Coronation opens the fair on Thursday evening, followed by horse shows. Friday includes School Day, a cake auction, mule jumping and the lightweight horse pull. Saturday begins with the parade through the fairgrounds and continues with the livestock auction and heavyweight horse pull. Sunday closes the fair with the baby show, antique tractor pull, additional horse shows and family day traditions.
The Clydesdales from Suttler Post Farm in Mechanicsville will be on display throughout the fair and will perform in the evening on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Local nonprofit growingSTEMS, a robotics program from Hollywood, will host combat robotics demonstrations during the fair. Andrew Koch, treasurer and secretary of the group, said the program adds a new experience for visitors. Fairgoers can see how the local youth interact with modern technology education.
Other attractions include giant pumpkins, agricultural displays, arts and crafts, home arts, and farm and garden exhibits.
Thurston H. Baxter Farm Museum
The Thurston H. Baxter Farm Museum at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds preserves the county’s agricultural past with displays of antique tractors, farm tools and equipment once used by local families. The museum was dedicated in 1997 in memory of Col. Thurston H. Baxter, whose contributions supported many civic causes in the county.
The museum was made possible through the efforts of Mrs. Pat Baxter, the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, the St. Mary’s County Fair Association and the Rotary Club of Lexington Park. A team of volunteers helped collect and build the exhibits.
The museum is one of the most valuable places on the fairgrounds, according to Jay Farrell, president of the St. Mary’s County Fair Association. He said the museum includes tractors, combines, manure spreaders, forge equipment and other relics from county farms.
“There is a lot of history down in the farm museum,” Farrell said. “The people that man that building do a really good job of explaining it to the public. They stay in there throughout the fair and answer any questions.”
The museum offers a quiet place to learn while surrounded by the busy fair. It reflects the deep agricultural roots of St. Mary’s County and honors the families and volunteers who worked to preserve them for future generations.
4-H Livestock Auctions
The 4-H livestock auctions are among the most anticipated events of the St. Mary’s County Fair. Youth exhibitors will present their steers, hogs, lambs and goats for sale to local buyers on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. Members of the community can purchase homegrown meat while supporting Maryland youth development.
The auctions provide a financial return for 4-H participants who spend months raising and caring for their animals. Proceeds often cover the cost of feed and supplies, with many young people putting earnings toward future projects or college savings.
The Maryland 4-H offers youth a supportive setting where they can learn and adapt critical life skills, gain advanced agricultural awareness, develop mentor relationships and participate in community-focused education programs.
The Parade
The St. Mary’s County Fair parade is Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10:30 a.m. The parade will form next to Leonardtown High School and bring local groups, businesses and community organizations through the fairgrounds to celebrate the fair’s traditions.
The parade has been a staple for generations and remains a way for residents to showcase pride in their community. Farrell said it draws broad participation and highlights a strong fair tradition.
“We have our parade on Saturday morning that brings in businesses and fire companies and anyone that wants to participate,” Farrell said.
Catalog Of Classes
The 78th annual St. Mary’s Fair catalog, and an insert with updated home arts classes information, outlines classes for livestock, crops, home arts, canning, crafts and school exhibits. Youth and adult participants can enter classes in categories such as cattle, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry, vegetables, baked goods, sewing and fine arts. The catalog also includes contests for largest pumpkin, hay quality and tobacco, which reflect the county’s farming history.
The 78th annual catalog features local artwork from Leonardtown High School student Anslea Schiffelbein. Each year, the St. Mary’s County Fair has a committee that judges local artists for their catalog cover art.
A Community Fair
The St. Mary’s County Fair Association is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers. Their contributions through generations of friends, family and St. Mary’s County community members give the heritage of the county fair a rich authenticity.
For residents planning to attend, the fair offers a chance to see agriculture up close, enjoy local food favorites such as stuffed ham and funnel cakes, and connect with neighbors in a setting that has remained a St. Mary’s County tradition since 1947.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
