46th Annual Community Show highlights talents and agriculture
Amya Snowden supervises elementary school students as they brush her horse at the community show.
A 142-pound watermelon.
A hand-made wooden guitar.
A baby goat named Twinkle.
From October 6 – 8, the auxiliary gym was transformed into a mini-fair, with animals, flowers, crops, photography and more.
The purpose of the community show is to unite Mt. Airy, New Market, Libertytown, Lake Linganore and the small communities surrounding the high school to present a show of their talents and agricultural produce.
The show is sponsored by Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, Linganore and New Market Granges, Linganore Future Farmers of America (FFA), and 4-H club that specializes in hands on education programs for engaging children and families.
“I think the tradition of the community, schools, FFA members all working together, including families, and parents supporting it, that’s what makes it so special,” said FFA Adviser Patrica Beachy.
Roughly 300 children from New Market and Green Valley Elementary schools visited the show as a field trip on October 8.
“My favorite part of the community show is when the first graders come to visit, and it’s neat for our students to educate them in the importance of agriculture in different areas, and for some of the first graders it their first time touching an animal,” said Beachy.
The FFA Partners In Active Learning Program improves leadership skills through a long-term mentoring program. This year, they created an new event called the Prince and Princess dress up party. Children who attended visited the fire truck parked at the front of the school.
The elementary schools support the program beyond the annual field trip. Art classes create and enter dog collars and toys and coloring pages. Many children see the reward with purple and blue participation ribbons.
The giant on the left won at 142 lbs. His rival on the right was “only” 120.
¨Our first graders love attending the community show every year. It is exciting for them to visit Linganore High School, as most students know that will one day be their high school. The kids enjoy seeing the various art projects, photography projects, horticulture projects and 4-H projects. They of course, love the animals and taking a tractor ride.¨”said first grade teacher Kimberly Schaffer from Green Valley Elementary School.
At the annual dinner, which included a flower and cake auction, the FFA selected Kaitlyn Yager to be the Youth Ambassador. The runner up is Tabitha Reeder.
The 13th Annual “Strut your Mutt” dog show sponsored by Pre-Vet small animal care class. The dogs entered had the chance of being the winner of nine categories; Best Veteran dog, Best rescue dog, Waggiest tail, Most obedient, Prettiest eyes, Best costume, Prettiest Girl, Most Handsome Boy, and Best Child Handler under the age of 10 years old.
Alexis Fowler´s dog Chase won Waggiest tail. “He was excited to win the goodie bag, and his brother Bris was definitely jealous.”
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