The 2024 Maryland State Fair drew more 589,380 people over three long weekends culminating last month, with new competitions, entertainment and educational opportunities.
Now that another fair season has ended, we are looking at the takeaways for families, especially in regard to the fair’s learning experiences.
“We are most proud that we were able to educate many more individuals and families about the importance of agriculture, which is the main mission of The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society,” Andrew Cashman, the Maryland State Fair general manager, says in a news release.
Kids led the way with educational displays spanning a variety of farm topics. The 4-H/Future Farmers America (FFA) and Open Class kids and adults presented exhibits about agriculture, gardening, livestock, horses, home arts and more.
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The Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Sale raised $182,077. The sale is the final chapter of the annual program where students purchase a young animal and raise it to adulthood for sale at the auction. The program is designed to teach kids about animal nutrition, evaluation and selection, animal welfare, marketing and processing.
The participants use the proceeds from their sales to invest in another project for next year or their next educational journey.
Education won big in another way with The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society awarding $40,000 in college scholarships and educational awards this year.
Next year’s fair will take place over three weekends: Aug. 21-24, Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 and Sept. 4-7. Families can stay in the loop at marylandstatefair.com.
