Howard County Fair Brings Rides, Livestock and Local Pride

Community Connections

By Eileen Wu

Strolling through the Howard County Fair offered a full-body immersion into sound, scent, and spectacle. On one side, exhilarated screams from the Gravitron, Skydiver, and other spinning rides sliced through the air. On the other, the earthy scent of hay mingled with the musky warmth of fur, while bleats, moos, and bahs echoed from pens housing goats, cows, and sheep.

From Aug. 2 to Aug. 9, the Howard County Fair featured rides, competitions, shows, and more, with numerous events scheduled each day. But the fair is more than glittery rides and flashing lights—its core purpose is to educate and highlight the efforts of agricultural members of the community.

The Howard County Fair began as the Farm Bureau Picnic. As the event grew more popular, organizers transformed the picnic into a fair. The first fair was held in 1946 with a profit of $2,000. After several location changes, it was moved to West Friendship in 1953, where it is still held today.

Run by the Howard County Agricultural Society, the fair celebrates the talents of local youth by featuring their agriculture-related projects. Participants exhibit, educate, and compete with their entries through 4-H, a program that helps young people learn life skills as part of a community. In Howard County, there are many branches of 4-H, each focused on a different aspect of agriculture.

Eden Clemmer, a senior at River Hill High School and a 10-year member of 4-H, explained that as a member of the Hare Raisers 4-H Club and president of the Bullseye 4-H Club, she enters projects and shows animals at the fair. Her entries range from rabbit showings to fine arts and shooting sports.

“The fair has been my favorite week of the year for a decade,” Clemmer said. “It’s hard to pick a favorite part, but one opportunity that has always brought me joy is the chance to connect with the public and share my knowledge and passion for agriculture and the 4-H program.”

This year, Clemmer showed nine Katahdin sheep and one rabbit. “As a 4-H’er, I have an even more important role of being a good representative of our county’s community and the 4-H program,” she said. “When I share with the fairgoers, it reminds me that I am an important part of the community—as everyone is—and I am connected.”

The fair offers members of the 4-H community the opportunity to learn from one another and share their expertise across many disciplines. Beyond the animal and agriculture-related exhibits and events, the fair also featured a home arts contest, a bicycle contest, a square dance demonstration, a pie-eating contest, and more.

The parade of floats, held on the final day of the fair, is a perennial favorite. Fairgoers line the sides of Midway Boulevard to watch vibrant floats and processions pass by, each one introduced over the loudspeaker. The parade includes entries from many 4-H clubs, each celebrating its area of focus with unique decorations and outfits. Elected officials and candidates for office also participated in the procession.

With a longstanding history, well-organized events, and even a produce market from local farmers, the weeklong Howard County Fair offers something for community members of all ages. Food, rides, fun, and the opportunity to learn about agriculture—undoubtedly, the annual Howard County Fair is worth a visit.

Eileen Wu is a student at the Bryn Mawr School and enjoys writing short stories.