The Great Frederick Fair is a very important annual event that is honored and enjoyed by people from all ages in Frederick, Maryland. According to PPR Strategies, this famous event presents, “Nine days of agriculture education, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, games, fun fair food, entertainment, demonstrations, and SO much more.” The Frederick Fair focuses on promoting “the county’s historic roots in the agricultural industry,” but also on educating youth people on the importance of farming and sustainability.
Students who attended the fair expressed their thoughts and the way they lived this experience. Compared to past years, they noted that being there felt different, and that feeling was influenced by factors like growing up and the new people they attended the fair with. A sophomore at Tuscarora High School, Derick Niemandt, expressed that he didn’t feel the same excitement as the first time he went, “I was younger the last time that I went… all the rides are exactly the same, so they are no longer exciting,” however he added, “It was great the fact that I went with my friends; it made it a lot better.” Although the fair doesn’t promise big new things each year, it is clear how a great company can make you enjoy this experience even more.
The fair is well recognized because it offers a variety of opportunities to increase youth engagement, such as competitions of baked goods and other projects that encourage students to develop skills and earn recognition. For example, proceeds from the annual Youth Cake and Baked Goods Auction fund scholarships for young participants. Similarly, the fair’s Royalty Program, which offers scholarships to young exhibitors who serve as ambassadors, and who represents the fair and its agricultural mission.
Additionally, the fair hosts Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) students for tours, providing hands-on learning that brings classroom instruction to life. One of the most famous groups benefited from this event is the FFA (Future Farmers of America) group; according to the National FFA Organization, this is an ‘intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership.” Landyn Johnson, a sophomore at Tuscarora High School, is an active member of the FFA group, because of her involvement, she had the opportunity to go on a field trip to see all of the farm animals. She commented, ¨I enjoyed seeing all the cute farm animals there, like the bunnies and pigs, they were so adorable, but I thought one thing that happened at the the birthing center was pretty disgusting because we got to see the farm lady check how far along a cow was with her pregnancy …I don’t understand why they had to show that.” Johnson thought that although there wasn’t anything that stood out or that was new, it still was fun for her. Although it had its downsides, those who attended this year’s Frederick Fair had mostly positive things to say. This event brings people from Frederick County together to live a wonderful experience along with their family and friends; an amazing option to foster the feeling of community in the region.
This tradition emphasizes that there is a space for everyone to have a great time, it has wonderful things to offer, especially if you are interested in farming, knowing more about Frederick’s agricultural history, the carnival rides, or the classic fair food; the yearly tradition connects generations and reminds people of the importance of community.
