DENTON — Hundreds attended the family-friendly Caroline/Dorchester County Fair last week, where aimals, corn on the cob, and country music filled the Caroline County 4-H Park.
There was a small city of inflatables that was filled with delighted children. For older kids, there was a mechanical bull.
The Reger Pavilion had live music. Everything from the old-timey country sound of the Jone’s Brothers to the foot stomping Amish Outlaws and ‘80s-inflected The Reagan Years.
There were lots of competitions to show younger community members’ efforts to raise dairy cows, goats, swines, horses, rabbits and beef.
Jody Neal, Caroline County FFA Advisor and ag teacher at Caroline Career and Technology Center had lots of students participating in fair contests.
“I have nine kids showing animals today. I have kids showing sheep, swine, market goats and breed goats,” Neal said.
The students raise their animals for a year leading up to the fair. After all that effort, the animals ended up at the livestock auction on Saturday night. This sale funds the students’ project for next year. The pork can go back into the school system and is served in the lunch line.
Skyler Blunt, a participant in the swine competition, said it was rewarding to show a year’s worth of work.
“I have two Hereford barrows and one Yorkshire gilt,” Blunt said. “The best part is the accomplishment that the fair brings you and getting to show people your project for the year.”
Emma Boyle, 18, who had just graduated from high school, said, “I am showing two crossbred pigs. I have been doing this since I was five. I love it. This is my last year. My pigs are named Buzz and Woody.”
Barbara Carrow, who was announcing the swine show, is co-leader of Pure Country 4-H Club. She has 62 kids in her Caroline County chapter. They showed at least 50 swine at the contest.
“I love working with young people, and I love animals. It teaches them responsibility and how to interact with adults other people. It gives them confidence,” Carrow said.
Wandering in the crowd was a princess- the Dairy Princess.
Caroline Kimball of Queen Anne’s County High School wears a sash and a tiara.
“I am the Eastern Shore Dairy Princess because I represent the dairy industry. I like educating people about the dairy industry. You can add a dairy product to all three meals of the day. I like chocolate milk after practice. I want to major in animal science,” Kimball said.
The judge, Gabe Zepp of Carroll County, picked first, second and third place winners. With every participant, win or lose, he offered instruction on how to improve.
“I want to see these hogs with their heads up at all times. Head placement. I want to see that they are comfortable with a whip. Nice and in control of the hog,” Zepp said.
Navonne Owen, 4-H Educator for Caroline County, said, “They have all worked so hard on their projects and this is the time to shine. They are all doing an excellent job. They are resilient and flexible and they are learning so many life skills from the project. It will help them in the future.”
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