The Great Frederick Fair. Known then as the Cattle Show and Fair, the first actual event was held on May 23 and 24, 1822 at George Creager's Tavern at the Monocacy Bridge, the year was 1821, marking the beginning of what eventually has become known aswo miles east of Frederick City.
                    
The Cattle Show and Fair was the first of its kind held in Frederick County, and the second in the State of Maryland. Premiums were paid to those exhibitors and competitors who successfully exhibited their livestock and other entries.
                        
The name of the fair has changed several times over the years since its inception as have the fair's partnerships with the starting of the Frederick County Agricultural Society in 1821. Today, the Frederick County Agricultural Society still exists with 250 Life Members.
                                
The next venture was the Farmers Club organized on November 22, 1849. It appears that an exhibition did not take place from that year until 1853 when on January 12, 1853, the Agricultural Club of Frederick County was formed with its purpose to hold annual exhibitions and monthly meetings for instructions and discussions. It adopted the constitution and by-laws of its predecessor, the Farmers Club.
                                
Its first exhibition was held on the Barracks grounds where the Maryland School for the Deaf now stands, October 12-14, 1853. Back then the barracks were fitted up for domestic fabrications and machinery. On June 3, 1854,The Agricultural Club was incorporated into the Frederick County Agricultural Society. The Civil War stopped all exhibitions and from the fair held in 1860, the last one on the Barracks grounds, no exhibitions were held again until 1868.
                                        
A historical recap on the fair written by Joseph F. Eisenhauer in June 1962, shows that the present site was purchased at 797 East Patrick Street in Frederick City in the early 1900s. Construction began with the grandstand in 1911, which still stands today.
                                              

Grandstand in 1911.
                              
In 1921 the Horticultural Building was erected. That building has, however, been demolished. In 1922 the Domestic Arts Building, known today as the Household Building, was built and still stands. An addition was put onto the grandstand in 1929, along with the construction of two horse barns, and several other horse barns were erected in 1938 and 1940. Two cow barns were built in 1940 with several more in 1947. Over the years swine and sheep barns were built as have been restrooms and livestock judging pavilions.
                                   

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
                               
The Great Frederick Fair Inc. was established for education, scientific, agricultural and horticultural purposes. Its activities encompass the exhibition of livestock and other agricultural products, while encouraging improvements in techniques of production and the development of better agricultural products through a system of awards.
                                                   
Even today, the fair serves as a showcase for agriculture and agriculture education. Once a year, the third week in September, exhibitors from Frederick County and Maryland exhibit their prized livestock, farm and garden and handmade goods.
                                      
All take pride in not only seeing who has the best, but what steps they themselves can take to better their programs.
                                            
Education is a number one priority by providing 4-H and FFA members with a means of learning by doing and showing to the public their accomplishments.
                                            
Although The Great Frederick Fair lends itself to agricultural and 4-H and FFA events throughout the year, other events are also held at its 72-acre facility including public auctions, home and garden shows, computer shows and sales, hunting shows, motorcycle races and more. Its through these off-season rentals that the fair is able to make improvements to its grounds and facilities for year round use.
                                               

1937- File Photo-Machinery Row
                                                   
Today this exhibit features more than $3 million worth of farm equipment and technology put on by Central Maryland Farm Equipment Dealers Association.

<% '//get search phrase sPhrase = request("s") if len(sPhrase) > 0 then splitPhrase = split(sPhrase, ",") for i = 0 to uBound(splitPhrase) IF LEN(splitPhrase(i)) > 0 THEN %> <% END IF next end if %>