By Sandra Zunino
The Queen Anne’s County Fair officially began last Monday. And while the fair will continue until 11:00 Saturday night, ending with the excitement of the rodeo, this one-week extravaganza actually takes an entire year to coordinate.
Planning for each fair, which takes place annually every second week in August, starts in September with a meeting of the QAC Fair Committee. There is a long list of chairpersons starting with Tom Gannon as Fair Chairman. Fair Co-Chairpersons are Beverly Cross and Andrew McLean who also acts as Commercial and Vendor Chairman. Teresa Hammer is treasurer and Charlene Rhodes is secretary. Every contest and show, whether beef, swine, poultry, rabbit, horse or other livestock also has a chair. All in all, about 50 volunteers comprise the committees with some dedicated souls taking on more than one responsibility.
Funding for the fair comes from revenues it generates through admissions and vendor fees. The QAC Fair also receives a small grant from the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, which receives its money from the racing commission. However, cutbacks in the racing industry have caused that amount to shrink over the years.
The University of Maryland Extension is responsible for the 4H part of the fair. University of Maryland Extension volunteers conduct all the 4H activities with oversight provided by Christine Johnston and Sally Rosenberry, the only paid staff members of that branch.
While winter months are dedicated to prep work such as getting the QAC Fair web page in order, May, June and July gradually become more hectic with the handling of entries, coordinating camper spots, ordering ribbons, etc. The weeks before and during the fair demand long hours. Secretary Charlene arrives at the Operations Center, which is the fair headquarters at 7:30 a.m. and stays until 11:00 p.m.
“And this is my vacation!” she laughs. As it is for many of the volunteers who take off from their paying jobs to work through the duration of the fair.
While some jobs are administrative, others ensure the health and safety of the project animals, exhibitors and even the patrons. This year a pig might have been lost if careful eyes had not observed it was lacking much-needed water. In another instance, a 4-year-old child, lost on the fairgrounds, was recovered after an announcement was made – and that was just the first day!
Another critical faction is the 4H Park Board. This 12-member board ensures the welfare of the park all year, but in weeks before the fair, the real work begins with grooming the riding arena, placing bleachers, making minor and major repairs, and getting the grounds in top-notch condition. Since the park is used year round for 4H and many other events, it’s important to constantly maintain and improve the grounds to meet the growing needs of the community.
Park board members serve 3-year terms and are elected by 4H leaders and current board members. Three new board members are chosen every year to keep the board revolving.
Despite the hard work required to bring the fair together, volunteers come back year after year. When asked why, the majority respond, “for the kids.”
According to Christine Johnston, seeing the youths’ excitement when they show their animal, or observing the growing sense of responsibility that evolves through the 4H experience is priceless.