WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD — Ah, August, when 100 acres in western Howard County magically transform into an annual rite of good, old-fashioned family fun. From Aug. 3-10 the Howard County Fair will offer up pig races, food on a stick, carnival rides, bands and more.
Starting Saturday, you can savor the kaleidoscope of spinning, swirling neon along the midway; witness goats, in all their splendor, becoming so much more than, well, goats as we think of them; the mule jump; the mule-pulling contest, the skid-loader rodeo; the horse-pulling contest, the antique tractor pull.
And of course, no Howard County Fair would be complete without the pie-eating contest; the pig races; and the youths dreaming of winning the Future Little Howard County Farmer and Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau contests.
Admission to the 74th annual Howard County Fair – open daily from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Aug. 3 to Aug. 10 – is $7 for weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays and $5 before 5 weekdays for those ages 10 and over, and $3 for seniors 60 and over. Children under 10 get free admission.
Special admission rates apply on Armed Forces Day, Aug. 3, when visitors with a valid military I.D. get into the fair free all day. The perk includes a spouse and children younger than 18. And on Senior Day, Aug. 6, visitors age 62 and older will be admitted at no charge.
Amusement rides and games will be open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 5-9 and from noon to 11 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4 and 10.
Some of the featured acts include:
PETER WOOD: EXPLORER OF THE IMPOSSIBLE: Shares amazing objects and comedy in an interactive magic show. Show times: SAT (8/3), MON (8/5), WED (8/7), FRI (8/9): 11AM, 12:30PM & 2PM ;SECOND SAT (8/10): 1PM, 2PM & 3PM
HOGWAY SPEEDWAY RACING PIGS: Daily throughout the week, post times TBD. Root for your favorite pig at the Hogway Speedway across from the main exhibition hall.
CHAINSAW CARVING BY PAUL: Find him every day during the fair on the Midway Boulevard west of the Home Arts Building. Paul Waclo translates images into three dimensions from large pieces of wood. His speed, technique, and detail combine as he creates his intricate designs.
SHEEP DOG DEMONSTRATIONS: At the horse show ring MON (8/5), TUES (8/6), AND THURS (8/8): 5:00PM AND 7:00 PM. Watch, listen, and learn about the partnership between the handler and working sheep dogs. They will work together to herd sheep around the arena and through various obstacles.
THE BACK PAGES BAND (ROCK): Performing on the Entertainment State SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2019 — 7:30PM AND 9:00PM. Featuring songs from rock’s “Golden Decade” (roughly 1963 to 1973).
BILLY HARRISON AND THE HAYWIRE BAND: This local bluegrass band will perform SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, at 5:30PM.
SKID LOADER RODEO COMPETITION: Set for the Contest Arena SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, at 6:00PM. Cheer on skid loader operators as they are timed and judged navigating through an obstacle course.
SEAN COLLINS & THE BACKBEATS (R&B/SOUL): Find this Motown and oldies band on the Entertainment Stage SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, at 7:30PM & 9:00PM.
APPALOOSA (OLDIES): The party band is on the Entertainment Stage MONDAY, AUGUST 5, at 7:30PM AND 9:00PM.
THE ROCK & ROLL RELICS: Their music ranges from street corner doo-wop, to 1960s sounds of The Beatles, Beach Boys and The Mamas & The Papas. They’re on the Entertainment Stage TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, at 7:30PM AND 9:00PM.
SAM GROW BAND: Born and raised in Southern Maryland, his vocals and highly personal lyrics tell stories of love, heartbreak, and life. On the Entertainment Stage WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, at 7:30PM AND 9:00PM.
HOWARD COUNTY FAIR HAS TALENT – TALENT AND VARIETY SHOW: Will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 on the entertainment state by the dining hall. Songs, dancing, comedy acts, instrumental numbers, and more will compete. Contestants will be divided by age into three categories: Children 9 yrs. old and under, Youth 10-15 years old, and Teenage/Adult 16 years old and older.
THE COLT WILBUR BAND (OUTLAW COUNTRY/SOUTHERN ROCK): Performing on the Entertainment stage SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, at 7:30PM AND 9:00PM. The Colt Wilbur Band is billed as a group with Red Dirt Country soul.
Also check out the baby contest and miniature parade at 10 a.m. on Aug. 10, plus the parade of floats at 5 p.m. on Aug. 10.
And the demolition derby revs up in the contest arena starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 10. Demolition Derby Tickets are:
$10 – Adults (10 and up) $5 – Children (Ages 4-9 yrs.) Free – Children (Ages 3 yrs. & under) – Must sit on lap
Tickets can be purchased during the Fair at the Fair Office and at the gate on the date of the event.
Here, too, you can sample delicious late-summer delights like homemade apple desserts, and all manner of other dishes destined to please the palate.
Here’s a full schedule of events for the 2019 Howard County Fair, at 221o Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship.
Saturday, Oct 12 at 8:30pm
Towson Tigers vs. Wesley College Wolverines
Monday, Nov 11 at 4:30pm
Against Me!
Thursday, Oct 24 at 7:00pm
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