The nine-day Great Frederick Fair opened in Maryland this weekend with livestock judging, a colorful midway of rides and games, and a packed schedule featuring big-name performers and old-school county fair events.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive is on center stage Saturday night following a warm summer day of fair activities, including goat judging and baked goods arriving for weekend competition.
“My daughter is showing her heifer, her cow/calf pair and her bull,” said Tony Woodie of Empty Pockets Livestock, as the pair groomed their animals inside the Beef Barn. “I hope to have first place all the way around, but realistically, we come in the middle, we’re good.”
The fair has a birthing barn, a youth building and newly-renovated interior space beneath the expansive grandstand.
Country stars Sara Evans and Tracy Lawrence are scheduled to perform Sunday night, and the Beach Boys will take the stage Thursday.
Horses have always been a big part of the Great Frederick Fair, dating back to its first year in 1865.
“We have harness racing here in the afternoon, it is free and open to the public to go into the grandstand,” said Nancy Free Keller, president of the fair.
The long-running fair also has events popular over the years with county fairgoers, including a tractor pull competition and demolition derby.
The fair runs until Sept. 21 at the fairgrounds in Frederick.
