The Wicomico County Fair is gearing up for its second year and the event date is approaching quickly. This year, the Wicomico County Fair will be held at Winterplace Park in Salisbury from August 19th – 21st. If you are at all familiar with the Wicomico Farm & Home Show and the Delmarva Chicken Festival, think of the Wicomico County Fair as an amazing combination of both events with the addition of many new features. Festivities begin at 2pm on Friday afternoon with the annual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony followed by livestock shows, rides, amusements and live entertainment. New this year will be a fireworks show on Friday evening sponsored by Perdue!
If you are not able to attend the event on Friday, we can assure you that there will be plenty left to see and do on Saturday and Sunday including a Lego Challenge for the kids, motorcycle show for bike enthusiasts, and the Mason Dixon Deputies for those interested in a cowboy mounted shooting show. Let’s not leave out the features that really brought this event to fruition: the livestock and produce competitions. Friday and Saturday will be your best days for viewing livestock like the sheep, cattle, and dairy goats to name a few. As for produce, several top prizes will be awarded in the Adult and Junior categories for best in show for vegetable exhibit, watermelon exhibit and garden vegetable. Additionally, there are many other competitive categories to admire including woodworking, creative crafts, photography, and flowers.
On the surface, it’s easy to see what the Wicomico County Fair is all about, but we wanted a more detailed version from the people actually working to bring this event together. For that, we asked our friend Zach Evans, who happens to be the 1st Vice President of the County Fair, just how this event came to be. “The mission and number one reason for having this event is to highlight agriculture and other supporting industries. This event was designed on the basis of three objectives: education, engagement, and outreach. We really have the farmers to thank for the many reasons to celebrate agriculture in our community and this is such a great opportunity for families to learn more about farming and where their food comes from and have a lot of fun at the same time,” commented Evans.
Speaking of food, the fresh produce, baked goods and canned goods will be on display during show hours in addition to the many food vendors that will be lining the Winterplace Park. Local organizations will be on hand to pour beer and wine for those interested in sampling local wine and brews.
New features this year include a tractor pull, carnival rides, games, bounce houses, with antique tractors and firetrucks on display. Feeling a little artistic? Make sure to visit the Tickled Paint events that are lined up for Friday and Saturday on fair grounds. Feel like dancing and singing along to live music? The entertainment line-up for the Wicomico County Fair is phenomenal and is sure to appeal to everyone in your group.
“This event really wouldn’t be possible without the support from the Wicomico County 4-H, University of Maryland Extension Office, Jaycees, Salisbury Lions Club, Gateway Subaru, Pepsi Bottling Ventures and Perdue, just to name a few. The outpouring of support that we have received for this event is overwhelming and so appreciated. We really wouldn’t be here today without our sponsors,” Evans said when asked about who we have to thank for having the Wicomico County Fair for a second year, laying the ground work for becoming a family tradition for years to come.
For more information about this special event, please click here to visit the Wicomico County Fair website. You won’t find information pertaining to ticket prices because admission to the Fair is free! Standard fees will apply for the carnival rides, games, and food & beverage vendors. So bring your kids, family and neighbors to Winterplace Park on August 19th, 20th and 21st to celebrate 80 years of fair traditions. We can promise you that you’ll be glad you did.
