Long lasting traditions, community and annual fun at the Great Frederick Fair

As the end of the school day bell rings on September 24, students rush to their cars. Some students head home, some head to practice, and some head to the Frederick Fairgrounds for the annual Great Frederick Fair.

Home to mouthwatering food, thrilling rides, live entertainment, and so much more, The Frederick Fair is always a highly anticipated event. Each September the Frederick Fairgrounds fill with visitors from all over the state. For a 160 years students have learned about agriculture and families have bonded over funnel cake and crab dip.

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, the anticipation was sky-scraping.

Even with over 40 acres of entertainment, it is difficult to miss the iconic double-decker ferris wheel towering over the other carnival rides. Games of skill and chance line the midway with prizes of all sorts to be won.

A variety of competitions are judged during the fair showcasing photography, baking, livestock and the agricultural heritage of Frederick County, the fair hosts a variety of farm-related events and activities.

Each year visitors anxiously await the arrival of baby animals at the birthing center. As of September 23, five cows were born in the Birthing Center. Jaxson (Bull), Ginger (Heifer), Caramel (Heifer), Iris (Heifer), and Vivian (Heifer). They are even cuter in person!

There is no shortage of notable live entertainment. From world famous country singers to a demolition derby, the grandstand is full of activity every night of the week.

Toby Mac, Ryan Stevenson, Rodney Atkins, Shenandoah, Marshall Tucker Band, ZZ Top, Whiskey Myers, The Steel Woods, Jon Pardi and Drew Parker all took the stage throughout the week.

The theme this year is Farm Fresh Fun: Lettuce Turnip the Beet!

Jake Keeney, spent the last year and a half preparing his grand champion steer for auction. His passion for preparing beef steers for show stems from his love for steak.

His winning steer, “Q-Tip,” would make for the best steak anyone could ever have, he said in an Interview with The Frederick News Post. This would be tough to fight, given the winning bid it received in The Great Frederick Fair Youth Livestock Auction.

Keeney’s prized cow sold for $20,000, on September 25 — one of the final events of the 2021 Great Frederick Fair.