Celebrating 30 Years!

The 30th Annual Harford County Farm Fair will be held on July 24-29, 2017.

We’re excited about all of the changes being made for the 2017 Farm Fair.  We’ve expanded the days and rearranged the hours:  Monday through Thursday – 3:00-10:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday – 9:00 AM-10:00 PM.  We’ve even changed the prices, with the cost of admission $5 on Monday through Thursday and $8 on Friday and Saturday.  Children under age 12 are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

Oscar’s Amusement Company will be our new carnival provider, with rides for all ages and a lighted Ferris wheel.  The Marvelous Mutts will be performing each day.  This “Canine Splashtacular” features rescue dogs performing dog agility, Frisbee catching, and dock diving.  And, of course, there will be 4-H and FFA animal shows and exhibits every day, Home Arts entries and Farm & Garden products on display, the Artisan’s Village and Buy Local Showcase with local crafters and producers, and the newly rearranged Vendors Village of community and commercial exhibitors.  Kidway will provide free activities for children, and local performers will share their talents on the Entertainment Stage.  We will have food vendors and food trucks and even local wineries and breweries.

There will be featured events each day.  Monday is opening day, with a Celebration Luncheon followed by the Miss Harford County Farm Bureau Contest.  Tuesday will bring the Harford Chef’s Challenge and the Muddy Creek Vaulters.  Wednesday features a traditional Horse Pull.  On Thursday, the Antique Tractor Pull and the Literary Spelling Bee will be held.  The Lucas Oil Truck & Tractor Pulls roar into action on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Enjoy the Farm Fair Talent Contest on Friday night.  And then Saturday is Kid’s Day, with all kinds of contests and activities, the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, and the 4-H Livestock Auction.  Each day will be different, so you’ll need to come more than once!

Resurrecting the county fair was the vision of the late Dr. Richard O. Cook and John O’Neill, and they recruited that first Board of Directors to work together to make what was then a three-day event hugely successful.  Since the first Harford County Farm Fair was held in 1988, this annual event has been held at the Harford County Equestrian Center, which is publicly owned by the Harford County Government and is part of the Heavenly Waters Park administered by the County Department of Parks and Recreation and the volunteer Equestrian Center Recreation Council.

Today, there are three members of the current Board of Directors who continue to serve:  Clif Dowling, Elke Neuburger, and Reg Traband.  This year, we dedicate the Farm Fair to the memory of our “founding father,” Doc Cook.

The Board of Directors expresses their appreciation for every person who has been involved in making the Farm Fair successful over the past 30 years.  We thank the many, many volunteers, corporate sponsors, participating vendors, service providers, and especially Harford County Government for their enthusiastic support and encouragement.  We celebrate your willingness to share the vision with us.

The continuing mission of the Harford County Farm Fair is to promote Harford County’s agricultural heritage and encourage youth involvement in agricultural activities, particularly through 4-H, FFA, and the Ag Magnet Program in Harford County Public Schools.  We provide educational displays showing the importance of agriculture and how it is a part of our daily lives.

We invite you to attend and enjoy the 30th Annual Harford County Farm Fair and celebrate with us the outstanding achievements of the agricultural community.

Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the Harford County Farm Fair, Inc.