Admission is free.
“The biggest thing is the horse racing,” Gloria Smith, organizer, said. “It’s been a mainstay for years and years. It doesn’t draw the largest crowd, but it has some of the most dedicated viewers.”
Betting is not allowed on the harness racing events, although event winners will be rewarded for their efforts. Included in the harness racing events, which begin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., will be at least one special race featuring child racers as “Stars of Tomorrow.”
Later the same day is the Classic/Antique Tractor Pull, which is a scaled-back version of the event in June, featuring equipment manufactured before 1965.
“We’re using a certified sled, like the previous event, but it’s smaller that what we had before,” she said.
Later on Saturday, there will be fireworks show put on by Fireworks Extravaganza. Smith said the show shouldn’t last longer than a half hour, and is schedule to start at 10:15 p.m.
Friday’s highlights are two new events, hobby horse races and drag racing. The hobby horses are indeed the children’s toys and teams of two, a rider and a trainer naturally, compete against other teams as sort of a living board game. Trainers will direct their riders according to dice rolls, with the object of completing a course.
Drag racing will make use of the track, and will involve vehicles racing against the clock and each other to cover distance.
Smith said the drag racing was added in response to suggestions, and is run by Joe Waters, who also is in charge of September’s Demolition Derby.
Tonight are the Little Miss and Junior Miss Pocomoke pageants.
All the while, the hallmarks of county fairs — livestock contests, cooking and baking exhibits and more — will be going on in the background.
“Fairs are part of our legacy,” Sen. Jim Mathias said. “They’re part of the personality of our towns. Agriculture, watermen — all of it is ours.”
Mathias said he will be attending the fair, and is rumored to be a participant in the hobby horse races, along with Mayor Bruce Morrison.
Del. Charles Otto also said he would be attending.
“The fair gives the 4-H kids and youth programs the spotlight they deserve,” he said. “It also puts the spotlight on our agricultural industry. It also brings some excitement to things.”
Schedule of Events (Tentative)
Wednesday, Aug. 3
Entries received – booth setups only
5-9 p.m. – Indoor Exhibits received*
*Except Cakes and Pies – see Program Book
5-8 p.m. – Rabbits, Poultry & Livestock Exhibits received, Gate 5
6 p.m. – Pageant Rehearsals – Grandstand Stage
Thursday, Aug. 4
Fair open – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
4-6:30 p.m. – All other Cake and Pie Exhibits received
5-10 p.m. – Indoor Exhibits inside Grand Stand open
6-7 p.m. – Poultry Judging, Livestock Barn
7:30 p.m. – Rabbit Judging, Livestock Barn
7 p.m. – Little Miss Great Pocomoke Fair Pageant – Grandstand Stage
8 p.m. – Jr. Miss Pageant – Grandstand Stage
Friday, Aug. 5
Fair open – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
5-10 p.m. – Indoor Exhibits inside Grand Stand open
5-10 p.m. – Livestock Exhibits, Livestock Barn open
5-6 p.m. – Hog Judging – Livestock Barn
6 p.m. – Hobby Horse Races
6:30-7:30p.m. – Dairy cow Judging – Livestock Barn
7:30-8:30 p.m. – Beef cattle Judging – Livestock Barn
7 p.m. – Drag Racing – Infield Track
Saturday, Aug. 6
Fair open – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
10 a.m. – Sheep Judging, Livestock Barn
10:30 a.m. – Pygmy Goat Judging, Livestock Barn
11 a.m. – Dairy Goat Judging, Livestock Barn
12:30 p.m. – Meat Goat Judging, Livestock Barn
12:30 p.m. – Cake & Pie Auction (between races)
12:30-4 p.m. – Harness Racing, Grandstand/Racetrack
1 p.m. – Kids Activities
1:30 p.m. – Greased Pig Contest
3:30 p.m. – Registration for Tractor Pull begins
5 p.m. – Antique/Classic Tractor Pull – Grandstand/Infield Track
10:15 p.m. – Fireworks by Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, Aug. 7
8 a.m. to noon – Release of all exhibits