Kids show their skills at the Talbot County Fair

EASTON — The Talbot County Fair celebrated its 41st annual event this week. Hundreds of residents came together to experience the various activities put together by organizers, volunteers and sponsors.

The five-day celebration included events such as fashion shows, games, bouncy castles and vendors. Many of these events were hosted for young people with an interest in leadership, community service, arts and agriculture.

The opening ceremony was held on Thursday evening, kids held flags at the center of the Main Show Ring, Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico) presented a citation of recognition to organizers of the fair and John Coleman, officer from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, sang “God Bless America.”

Linda Brown, host of the opening ceremony, said in the past, Talbot County had to share its fair with other counties because of how small the county was. Today, Brown is proud of the work that the community does to make the fair possible.

“The big thing about this fair is that our community comes together,” Brown said. “(I) couldn’t count the volunteers that come and do their piece. It could be shavings in a cow barn so that we can have animals. It could be taking a leaf blower and blowing the leaves out of our pavilion. Everybody just jumps in and works together to put on this amazing fair.”

Brown said she is proud of the work done by children and young people across the county, which was on full display at the fair.

This included the work of her granddaughter Annette Clougherty, who brought three of her cows for show this year.

Clougherty, 12, said she has deep love for animals and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. Her cows, Reba, Andy and Dolly huddled near a giant fan to cool off from the hot weather.

Clougherty encourages any kid who has an interest in animals to raise the animal of their choice and bring them to a local fair.

“Do your research, learn and don’t just chase your dreams so you can get the money and be done with it,” she said. “Actually get into it because these guys (her cows), I don’t ever imagine them going to the market, they’re always mine in my heart.”

Clougherty is proud to announce that she is taking her cows to Queen Anne’s Fair, which is a big step for her family.

In a different stall, Bailei Caldeira, a young pig farmer, brushed her two pigs before a showing. It is her second year showing her pigs, and she said she is better prepared to make an impression. Caldeira said she has always loved pigs.

When asked what advice she would give to kids who would like to raise pigs, she said working hard is the key to caring for pigs.

“Don’t be scared, just do it,” Caldeira said. “Don’t care about anyone else. Just care about your pig and you.”

Following the animal showing, dozens of kids from all age groups showcased their self-created outfits during the Talbot County 4-H Fashion Show.

The 4-H program is a local club teaching kids new skills, such as sewing, photography and more. Each kid had a moment to shine as dozens of parents took photos and cheered for their stylish outfits.

Brown, a former home economics teacher, said she was so proud of all the work that the young contestant did for this year’s show. For her, as host of the fashion show, she is impressed by the 27 outfits being modeled in the show and the work of the volunteers who make the event possible.

“It’s just a culmination of hundreds of people working together and everybody doing their part in order to come up with this little event,” Brown said. “We are not a big state fair. We don’t have squeaky rides and all that. We’re not big enough, but we have people in the community that just come out and enjoy, socialize, marvel at what the kids are doing.”