This year’s Worcester County Fair will feature some of the same agricultural exhibits, petting zoos, carnival games and more when it returns to a new location next week, but will also bring some new offerings.
Livestock is pictured in a pen at a past Worcester County Fair.
File photo
By Bethany Hooper, Associate Editor
This year’s Worcester County Fair will feature some of the same agricultural exhibits, petting zoos, carnival games and more when it returns to a new location next week, but there will also be new activities and vibes for attendees to enjoy.
From Aug. 9-11, community members are invited to take part in the annual Worcester County Fair. Now spearheaded by the Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department, this year’s event will feature a new location and more activities, as well as an abundance of live music, food and drinks.
“It is going to be a great time for family and friends to go and enjoy everything Worcester County has to offer here,” said Lauren Ahlers, marketing coordinator for Worcester County Recreation and Parks.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Worcester County Recreation and Parks would take charge of hosting the 2024 county fair. Recreation and Parks Deputy Director Jacob Stephens noted that officials, seeing the success of other events the department put on, had asked for assistance in revitalizing the event.
“The county saw a slight decline in the Worcester County Fair over the last several years, and they knew that the recreation and parks department held fairly large special events …,” he explained. “They wanted us to bring new ideas.”
The result, officials say, is a new and improved Worcester County Fair. Ending a years-long run at Byrd Park in Snow Hill, this year’s event will relocate to John Walter Smith Park, home of Worcester County Recreation and Parks programming.
The fair kicks off Friday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., with a ribbon cutting to follow at 4:30 p.m. Featured events include livestock shows, a cake auction and a performance from the Jimmy Charles Band, which will take the stage at 6 p.m.
“This is a free concert to the public,” Ahlers said.
The festivities continue on Saturday, Aug. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. Featured events include a Wheels that Heal Car Show, a pipeline eating contest, a cornhold tournament, and various livestock shows, as well as a petting zoo and demonstrations. The fair will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 11, with a Jeep show, a local band showcase, livestock shows and an awards presentation.
Ahlers noted that 4-H displays, as well as a kids zone complete with inflatables, carnival games and a first bite fish tank, will also be offered throughout the weekend. The fair will also host a school supply drive to benefit Worcester County G.O.L.D.
“We will also have a beer garden and food trucks along with 50 local vendors,” she said.
For more information on the Worcester County Fair, or to view the fair schedule, visit worcestercountyfair.org, or check out the Worcester County Fair Facebook page.
The fair is just one of several area events to be showcased as part of Worcester County Agriculture Week, held Aug. 3-11. The week begins with the Blessing of the Combines and culminates with the Great Pocomoke Fair and the Worcester County Fair.
“We’re trying to bring it all together with Agriculture Week,” Stephens said.