Behind the scenes financial trouble, dissent among volunteers, and the introduction of nontraditional elements have threatened to cast a pall over the Harford County Farm Fair as the annual agricultural heritage showcase prepares for its 25th anniversary celebration this summer.
But organizers assert the Farm Fair, one of the most high profile and highly attended events on the Harford County calendar, has its finances back in order and that participants and spectators alike will enjoy the mix of traditional values and modern events coming to the Equestrian Center this July.
In recent years, Harford County Farm Fair, Inc., the nonprofit, volunteer-run organization responsible for putting together the event, has requested tens of thousands of dollars in supplemental funding from Harford County government; denied subsequent government requests to provide a financial audit; and fallen out of good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation after its treasurer resigned and failed to file the requisite tax documents. In the planning stages for this year’s event, at least one member of the Board of Directors didn’t think the Farm Fair could go forward and resigned in protest.
Despite the apparent disarray, organizers believe the 2012 Farm Fair, scheduled for July 26 to July 29, will be a memorable one – by continuing to do what it has done best for the last quarter-century (tractors, livestock, fireworks), while also introducing new, and potentially controversial, elements into the mix (pre-fair carnival and beer garden, 5K run, talent and culinary competition).
Follow the Money
An explanation of financial assistance and a timeline of interactions between Harford County government and Harford County Farm Fair, Inc., researched for The Dagger by the Division of Agriculture and the Deputy Chief of Staff, helps illuminate the relationship and level of funding between the two entities over the years:
“While it’s not a direct payment to Harford County Farm Fair Inc., Harford County Government (specifically the Departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Works) provides between $25,000 and $30,000 in labor, materials, and miscellaneous expenses directly related to the staging of the Farm Fair each year.
In February 2010, County Executive David R. Craig with the approval of the County Council provided $30,000 to Farm Fair Inc. as a supplemental appropriation, which they had requested.
In November 2011, County Executive Craig met with representatives of Harford County Farm Fair Inc. to discuss the future of the fair. As a follow up to that meeting, the County Executive sent a letter to the board of Farm Fair Inc., stating that he would be willing to consider providing additional supplemental financial assistance to the Farm Fair, and that before any funds could be dispersed, the county would need to see an audit of Farm Fair Inc. finances. This request is no different than similar requests made of organizations that receive funding from the county.
In April of this year, representatives of Farm Fair Inc. met with members of the county executive’s staff to discuss plans for this year’s fair and to formally request supplemental funding. The County Executive’s staff reiterated that funding would only be considered upon the receipt of audited financials. At that time it was also strongly recommended that Farm Fair Inc. make an effort to create a business plan that could provide a framework for long term sustainability.”
As of May 16, none of the audited financials requested by Harford County government had been provided by Harford County Farm Fair, Inc.
According to Aimee O’Neill, co-chair of Harford County Farm Fair, Inc., the past few years have contained some “drama.”
In February 2010, the county provided an additional $30,000 in “supplemental appropriation” to the Farm Fair, after being approved by the Harford County Council. O’Neill said those funds were reimbursement for electrical work conducted at the Equestrian Center and paid for by the Farm Fair.
That same year, she said, the non-profit organization’s treasurer quit, records were not kept, and filings were not made with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as required.
As a result, Farm Fair Inc. had been listed as “not in good standing” in the state’s database of non-profit groups. However, O’Neill said the group did file records in April as required and returned to “good standing.” The state database shows a filing was made on April 26, 2012, but does not reflect the change in standing. O’Neill said the necessary paperwork has been filed and Harford County Farm Fair, Inc. will be listed in good standing once a lag in the state Department of Assessments and Taxation catches up.
The November 2011 request to the county government for supplemental funds was due to a shortfall at last year’s Farm Fair, said O’Neill, who blamed the poor financial performance last year on hot weather curbing attendance.
“People don’t come out when it’s 100 degrees,” she added.
Despite the shortfall, O’Neill said all commercial vendors have been paid, as has insurance for this year’s event.
And the rationale for continually rebuffing the county’s requests for a financial audit?
O’Neill said the requested audit would cost between $4,000 and $7,000, and it didn’t make sense for the non-profit to spend those funds on an audit to access what she estimated was an additional $5,000 in county funds.
Most recently, a Farm Fair board member quit over concerns that the organization’s shaky finances threatened its ability to go forward with this year’s event, but O’Neill assured that the nonprofit organization was in good order and prepared to put the financial woes in the past – in part by going down a path the Farm Fair has avoided during its 25 years in existence.
Changing Face of the Fair
In a first for the Farm Fair and a reversal of long-standing practices, a carnival and other nontraditional events have been scheduled for the prior week to help raise funds for the larger event and stave off future financial turmoil.
O’Neill said a full midway of rides and games with a beer garden for adults, planned for July 17 to July 22, were meant to provide a funding cushion to protect against future shortfalls.
The Farm Fair has long avoided offering mechanical rides or carnival attractions found at other local events, preferring to keep the event’s focus on agriculture. The organization in 2001 wrote:
“Our fair is committed to providing an affordable, old-fashioned country fair experience. As a matter of policy, our board has decided not to have expensive mechanical rides or a midway at our annual fair. This eliminates the carnival atmosphere that makes so many contemporary fair experiences a very expensive outing. We prefer to provide affordable family-oriented fun that remains focused on our agricultural heritage. Upon entering the Harford County Farm Fair, children are given a pass to Kidway. At no additional cost, they can participate in a variety of sponsor-supported activities for children in lieu of costly games of “skill” or chance. It is still possible for a young family with two or three children to come to our fair with a twenty-dollar bill and to leave with change.”
Another pre-fair fundraising activity is the 2nd Annual Harford County Farm Fair 5K Run which will be held on Sunday, July 22.
The organizers have been careful to separate the carnival midway and beer garden from the traditional Farm Fair, but even the fair – as Harford County residents have known it for the last quarter-century – will include some new and modern activities this year.
New to the Farm Fair in 2012 are a talent competition, with categories for vocal, instrumental, dance, poetry reading, and acting, and the Seasonal Sensations Culinary Competition.
Longtime favorites, including the antique tractor pull, live music, and fireworks will all be returning to the Farm Fair this summer as will the 4-H livestock sale, an aspect of the fair upon which the County Executive has placed added emphasis.
In their response to The Dagger, county officials twice mentioned that Craig discussed the ongoing issues around the Farm Fair with the agriculture community. They said Craig told them the Harford County 4-H livestock sale, a cornerstone of the Farm Fair, would continue.
“County Executive Craig and his staff also met with representatives of Harford County 4-H to reassure them that he is committed to seeing that the annual livestock show and sale goes on and is successful,” they wrote in the e-mail, “and that county government will support that event with whatever means necessary,” according to the information provided by the County Executive’s office.
In their comments, the officials did not specify whether that meant the county’s “whatever means necessary” level of support would extend beyond the agricultural events to the Farm Fair generally. However, they said county planning for this year’s Farm Fair was proceeding as usual.
“The Harford County Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation have begun preparations for this year’s fair as normal, and we are excited to be a part of the 25th Annual Harford County Farm Fair,” they wrote. “County Executive Craig genuinely appreciates the hard work of the dedicated board members and volunteers of Harford County Farm Fair Inc. He remains 100% committed to seeing that the county’s annual showcase of agriculture, particularly the 4-H Show and Sale, is successful and sustainable long into the future.”
Schedule of Events
The press release announcing the Farm Fair’s carnival and other planned fundraising events follows:
The 25th Annual Harford County Farm Fair at the Harford County Equestrian Center located at 608 Tollgate Road in Bel Air, Maryland 21014, promises many new and traditional fun activities for the whole family! The Fair will be held beginning Thursday, July 26 through Sunday July 29. The hours of the Fair are from 10 am to 10 pm on Thursday through Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Pre-Fair fundraising activities will be held beginning on Tuesday, July 17 through Sunday, July 22.
The Farm Fair is dedicated to promoting Agriculture, 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Harford County – providing an opportunity to showcase the history, active local economy and future of farming for folks throughout the region to enjoy.
To celebrate the 25th annual fair there are many new activities planned, as well as the return of the traditional events which bring Fairgoers back to the Fair from one generation to the next.
The 2012 Fair will be preceded by the Harford County Farm Fair Carnival and Beer Barn – a full Midway of rides and games with refreshments for all and a Beer Garden for the adults. The Carnival will be held on the Equestrian Center Fair Grounds and runs from Tuesday, July 17 through Saturday, July 21. The hours are from 5 pm to 10 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 5 pm to 11 pm on Friday and 12 noon to 11 pm on Saturday. Family discounts for rides will be available every day of the Carnival. The Beer Barn will be open throughout the hours of the Carnival on Friday and Saturday, only, in the Main Pavilion at the Equestrian Center Fairgrounds and will include Beer and Wine by the glass, refreshments, music, raffle & other activities. There is no cover charge for the Beer Barn. The Farm Fair Carnival is held as a fundraising activity to offset the costs of the traditional (no-Midway) Fair. Parking for the Carnival is on the Fairgrounds. There will be no satellite parking with buses during the Carnival.
Another pre-Fair fundraising activity is the 2nd Annual Harford County Farm Fair 5K Run which will be held on Sunday, July 22 at 8:00 am. Registration for the 5K run is on the Farm Fair website at www.farmfair.org. The Farm Fair 5K course is family-friendly and winds its way across the Heavenly Waters park surrounding the Farm Fair Equestrian Center.
During the Farm Fair from Thursday July 26 through Sunday, July 239 are new and familiar activities:
The Fair Board is pleased to announce that Fireworks!!! are returning to the Fair and will be held on Thursday evening around 9:15 pm, following the Antique Tractor Pull.
The East Coast National Truck and Tractor Pull will be held on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:00 pm. This is a nationally sanctioned event and provides lively entertainment for all.
Another new offering at the 25th Annual Farm Fair is the Farm Fair Talent Competition which will be held on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 pm, in the Main Pavilion. Contestants will compete in categories to include vocal, instrumental, dance, poetry reading, acting and other talent presentations (unicyclists? baton twirlers? comedians? magicians?). Guest judges will be announced. Prizes will be awarded in each category of competition and video of all winners will be shown on the Farm Fair website throughout the year following the Fair! All contestants must audition prior to the Fair. The Friday evening competition will determe the top contestants in each category and the Saturday evening competition will determine the prize winners. Check the Farm Fair website for audition dates and entry information.
The Second Annual Harford County Farm Fair Food & Wine Fiesta with Craft & Farmer’s Market has been moved to Sunday afternoon during the Farm Fair – July 29. The Fiesta & Market is to be held in the Main Pavilion beginning at 1:00 pm and will remain open through the close of the Fair at 6:00 pm. The Fiesta & Market is open to Harford County producers of retail consumables – a celebration of our local Field to Table economy. Patrons will find a delectable array of cheeses, ice cream, frozen meats, vegetables and fruits as well as Wine Tasting of local wine producers and the opportunity to purchase local wines by the bottle (or case!). Area restaurants are invited to participate to sell hot and cold food items focused on the use of local, seasonal foods. Artisans will display their hand-crafted decorative items for sale. NEW for the 25th annual Fair is the Seasonal Sensations Culinary Competition which will be held during the Fiesta. Prizes will be awarded for the best culinary treat in the categories of hot or cold appetizer, entree, dessert or beverage. Celebrity judges will be announced. Winners of the Culinary Competition and the annual Peach Pie Contest will be announced at 3:30 pm in the Main Pavilion. Look for additional information and registration on the Farm Fair website.
Featured each day will be the Flying Hounds Dog Show, sponsored by Nutramax, with presentations throughout the day. This high-energy show will delight fairgoers of all ages.
Fairgoers will enjoy the traditional, non-mechanized Kidway with Face Painting, Button Making, inflatable activities, straw maze and the ever popular Pig Racing. Candy ‘n’ Cupcake will return to the 25th annual Fair, as will the Liberty Wagon, Barn Yard, Farm Baby Costume Contest, Pie Eating and Watermelon Eating Contests and the Annual 4-H Livestock Auction on Saturday evening, beginning at 5:00 pm. Test your spelling at the annual Harford County Public Library Spelling Bee which is held on Sunday beginning at 1:00 pm. The 2012 Bee will be held on the stage of the showmobile!
4-H Annual shows and exhibits are open throughout the Fair, and all are invited to strut their stuff in the dozens of categories in the Open Classes from flowers to needlepoint to photography to vegetables and more!
Area businesses find the Farm Fair to be a welcome opportunity to advertise their services and retail sales with dozens of vendors of interesting and useful items on display and for sale throughout the 4-days of the Fair. Learn about Agriculture at the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation trailer and displays from the Harford County Extension Agency and Ag Economic Development office.
Don’t forget the classic Fair Food Court and t-shirts, too!
The Farm Fair Board is pleased to announce that, for the second year, 1 free ticket to the Fair will be distributed to every 5th grader in Harford County, including all public and private schools students.
Admission to the Fair is $ 8.00 for adults; $ 5.00 for children 5 to 12 years and under 5 years, free. Seniors are admitted for $ 5.00 on Thursday, only. Adults with military ID are admitted for $ 6.00 every day of the Fair. There is no additional charge for activities within the Fair and fairgoers may bring their own food and beverages. No alcoholic beverages or smoking are permitted on the fairgrounds. The wine tasting is restricted to the Main Pavilion, during the Fiesta on Sunday, only. No pets are allowed on the fairgrounds except for registered show animals. Free Parking will be available on Tollgate Road, Vale Road, Red Pump Elementary School and Patterson Mill High School, with Shuttle Bus Service from the satellite parking lots.
Volunteers are an essential part of the Farm Fair. We are seeking local talent to perform on the Showmobile Stage throughout the Fair, as well as demonstrations of artisan and AG related activities. Go to the website to sign-up to volunteer and to obtain registration forms for performing on the showmobile or providing demonstrations in the show rings at the Fair.
There is something for everyone at the Farm Fair to enjoy and learn! See you at the Fair!
www.farmfair.org 410-838-8663
Additional reporting by Cindy Mumby
My son’s Boy Scout troop is still waiting to be paid for the events they worked on the Kids Way area last year. Do the organizers from last year’s event plan on paying their debt to the youth groups who ran their events? It was a hard lesson for these boys to learn~ not all adults honor their contracts!
No midway is the main reason I skip the Farm Fair and wait for the Maryland State Fair or the Great Frederick Fair in my wife’s hometown. The animals are nice and a big part of it, but so are rides. Otherwise, the kids get bored relatively fast.
I go to Cecil County Fair with my son because the Harford County Farm Fair is neither reminiscent of a farm nor does it remind me of a fair. The place is sterile, devoid of anything remotely fair like. I’m glad the businesses of Harford County appreciate the venue for displaying their wares and services. Not like they don’t have a chance to do that any other time of the year. Somehow it speaks volumes about what is wrong with Harford County. Plastic, contrived, and entirely too high on themselves.
“In recent years, Harford County Farm Fair, Inc., the nonprofit, volunteer-run organization responsible for putting together the event, has requested tens of thousands of dollars in supplemental funding from Harford County government; denied subsequent government requests to provide a financial audit; and fallen out of good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation after its treasurer resigned and failed to file the requisite tax documents.”
They want public funds? Whatever happened to Keep Government Out of private businesses? However, one does need to follow the law and not expect special treatment. If the Farm Fair refuses to provide the documents asked for to audit how our money was spent, do not provide money until they comply with this simple and reasonable request. “O’Neill said the requested audit would cost between $4,000 and $7,000, and it didn’t make sense for the non-profit to spend those funds on an audit to access what she estimated was an additional $5,000 in county funds.” Oh sure just give them money without ANY accountability.
“O’Neill said a full midway of rides and games with a beer garden for adults, planned for July 17 to July 22, were meant to provide a funding cushion to protect against future shortfalls.” Who will pay for all of the extra police that will be needed to contain the disorder that surely will follow in the wake of a beer fueled carnival?
Proud,
I just hate it when I have to agree with you… 🙂
Don’t fret, you’ll be able to not agree soon enough. 🙂
Thats not very liberal of you.
Proud,
I’m with LOCALGUY. I also hate it when I have to agree with you. I hope your assurance that we will be in disagreement again soon also extends to me. I
I do have to ask the question “Why in the name of the Almighty is the Harford County Farm Fair run by some pick-up gang of volunteers that have no clue what the reporting and accountability requirements are?” Is that the best we can do? If it is, then shut it down. I applaud them for stepping forward when no one else is seemingly interested but their willingness doesn’t mean they are capable.
Not sure who they current oficers of the organization are but Ryder and O’Neill especially know better.
You asked: “Why in the name of the Almighty is the Harford County Farm Fair run by some pick-up gang of volunteers that have no clue what the reporting and accountability requirements are?” Perhaps they have friends in high places?
I know enough about Aimee O’Neill to spell her name correctly and to tell you that she is a stand up guy, I mean stand up lady. I will make no comment on Ms. Ryder.
Sigh. Children aren’t going to walk past a carnival to look at cows. Way 2to sell out. Can’t they find another way to fund this?
I take my son to the animal exhibits first. What’s wrong with your parenting skills?
The carnival will be the week before, you can take them to both, one or the other, or none.
Porter, plain and simple, you are a pompous ass.
And you have a limited vocabulary and are short sighted, myopic and self absorbed with your own limited importance.
I’m glad to hear that the vendors from last year got paid, but I’d sure like the Kidway volunteers from last year get paid as promised too. We had a number of boys who stood for hours in the 100 degree temperatures last year helping with Kidway to earn money to use for scouting activities. Both before and after the Fair, it would take 20 attempted contacts to the Farm Fair folks before we would receive a return call or email. And to this day, our scouts have not been paid. We try to teach our boys the value of money, but the lesson learned here was quite different.
As a volunteer of this program, I would like to state that this is a FARM FAIR!! NOT just a “fair.” Harford County is not “too high on ourselves” as stated in previous comments. The original purpose of our farm fair was to allow 4H children to learn the importance of farming, be it animal or crop and the possibility of goods that can be made from those products that were home grown. This is not a State Fair, where there is a midway. The intentions were to not have a midway and give a friendly reminder as to what goes on behind the scenes before things go to the grocery store for sale. This is not like Cecil Co. Fair or the State Fair. Yes, it brings in more patrons, however, as a Harford County farmer, I appreciate the Boards decision to keep it agriculturally related and not making it into a carnival! If we don’t teach our children how to do simple things like raising an animal for food or sheering an animal to make wool to make that sweater you just bought in the store, what will happen to society? We will become dependent on importing products from other countries in which we have already done to an extent because our federal government would rather spend that money instead of pulling from our own resources! Our forfather’s slaved and worked hard to feed and cloth their families, have we become so shallow? I love the Harford County Farm Fair and what its purpose is. We have many inner-city groups come up to visit, they learn where their food comes from(not just the store!) Instead of spending the money on the expensive carnival rides and concerts at State Fairs, give the small inexpensive day trip a chance and look back into history of our State! Give your children a life lesson instead of throwing them on a dangerous machine and risking their life!
It is thinking like this that is the reason that the fair is dying. The fact is if there is nothing to entertain the childern from non farm families why would they come? If the fair wants to survive it needs a midway and other attractions to bring in families. You can only look and animals and be botherd by vendors so long before you stay away. And that’s EXACTLY what the people of Harford County are doing.
Ma’am, I am 52 years old and grew up in Genesee County in Western New York, population 53,000 at the time. My uncles were all farmers. Our FAIR featured 4H exhibits as well as a full building of personal contributions in the areas of models, baked goods, crafts and other things that I actually participated in when I was about ten years old. The 4H exhibits were extensive for such a small county. Your FARM FAIR pales by comparison to the Cecil County Fair and my Genesee County Fair. Even the Erie County Fair outside Buffalo has more interesting activities for all people than what you offer in this supposedly enlightened and forward thinking community. And that was sarcasm. I will not waste my time and irritations visiting a place that has so little to offer. I will drive to Cecil County to enjoy their fair since they seem to embrace the same ideals my county had when I was growing up. Your FARM FAIR is atrocious and an embarrassment and scarcely deserves the title FAIR at all. More like a purveyor of commercial products for consumption by the well to do in this county that escaped from the cultural diversity of Baltimore County for some sanitized entertainment. Where are your Granges with grilled locally grown meats and vegetables? You have nothing that anyone else regards as a fair. As is typical for this community – you have given us exactly what you wish us to have.
pompous ass
Name calling is the sanctuary of people incapable of expressing an opposing viewpoint. Address what I said in the article about the fair, express your own position or please return and express yourself the only way you seem capable.
ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM
Last year I offered to do Balloon Creations for the kids at Midway for FREE. I did this at the St. Stephens Fair in Kingsville for with huge success. I was told by the organizers at the Harford Farm Fair…I had to purchase a $500.00 spot in order to make kids balloon animals and hats. Really? I was willing to spend $300.00 on Balloons yet they paid for Walk-Around entertainers not even from the area.
That was probably because you are a real estate agent and it would be allowing you to advertise for free while the others that did not have you balloon talent to would have to pay for the spot.
Thanks JJ but I never requested a spot to advertise my business. Just to do Balloon creations for the kids. All I wanted to do was wear a T-Shirt with my name on it and was told by a volunteer at the gate “That would not be allowed” (after they already accepted me) What? I am the one spending money on Balloons for the kids…I can’t wear a T-Shirt with my name on it? HHmmm….maybe it had something to do with the fact that I am a REALTOR….too many Realtors in one venue I guess…sorry kids…come to St. Stephens for FUN Balloons!! You won’t find politics brewing through the Fair….
ANYTHING STEVE/DEBBIE NELSON IS INVOLVED IN WILL FAIL. IT IS HARD TO HAVE MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT WHEN THEIR STICKY FINGERS ARE INVOLVED. MAYBE THE FARM FAIR SHOULDN’T ALLOW PEOPLE ON THE BOARD WHO HAVE ALREADY EMBEZZLED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, 4-H BEING ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS. HOW THEY CAN EVEN SHOW THEIR FACES IN PUBLIC AT THIS POINT IS BEYOND ME.
Perhaps a local accounting firm could step up and audit the Farm Fair pro-bono. It would be great PR, and I’m sure they could find a way to write off some of their own tax liability for the year.
I find it deeply disturbing that that the Boy Scouts were not paid what was promised to them, and I find it unconscionable that the county would continue to dedicate so much manpower, cash, etc. without knowing where the funds are going. I have a really bad feeling about the leadership of the Farm Fair at this point, and some sort of accountability absolutely needs to happen. How much are the officers of the non-profit awarding themselves in salary and bonuses? I believe non-profits must reveal the income of their top 5% or 10% income earners, am I right? Can a CPA or someone with a deep understanding of this please chime in?
I found their 2008 IRS form 990 (that is the most recent I could find). They checked off the box claiming that …”the organization did not compensate any officer, director, trustee, or key employee.” They only listed 4 individuals as officers, etc. those listed are: Joan Ryder – Co Chair, Amy Oneil – Co Chair, Alice Archer – Secty, William Feehley – Treas.
Isn’t Joan Ryder the same Joan Ryder who is always talking about how much better private business is than government in running something?
Maybe so, and in particular, rentals. Prez of the HarCo Realtors Assoc?
And William Feehly is the new-ish Treasurer in Cecil County, if the same, or possibly a relation.
She also doesn’t want Government regulation. Guess we know why now.
I did not see the Dock Dogs listed. Not having Dock Dogs would be a huge disappointment. That area always had tons of spectators watching the dogs have a great time. It is so nice having them in my backyard, being able to have my friends and family come to see me and my dogs compete, and having spectators cheer me on just because I’m a “local”.
I would like to say , as I agree with the above posts, there is ways to make this “A great family event” I was trolling some of my face book friends pages looking at events that are doing, WOW they are impressive,One lady who is in your local area was showing pics of the Soprano’s, others Celeberties at an event she was doing, the money they made was over the top, Why aren’t you using the assets you have in your area to bump of that of people coming to your events, Keep doing the same crap keep getting the same results it is just so pathatic, It is about farming. It can be done, reach out to the real pro’s in your area, bring that new blood, in then everyone will want to come.
This overpriced joke of a “fair” should never have made it to 25 year anniversary. Just what I want to do, pay $8 to look at animals who look miserable, be chased by politicians who dont know what work is, and see what kind of deal I can get on pellets for my stove and maybe a bedliner and water treatment system. Then pay out the nose for a drink and snack. They charge the food vendor’s outrageous prices to get a spot, so they have to rape us to make any profit.
What a joke
Holding the Farm Fair during one of the hottest times of the summer combined with a limited appeal of things to see and do is a major reason why attendance has been down and the financial future is in limbo. In this day and age, simple doesn’t cut it anymore. While I understand the reasoning to keep the Farm Fair as rural as possible, the volunteers must understand there is a time when changes have to be made if they want people to come out. The MD State Fair and other fairs of this type draw the crowds because they aren’t afraid of attracting a variety of people to come and visit and they’re willing to try new attractions. But in Harford County, it seems there is so much resistance and insistence on being the same old, same old. You can only have so much of the same thing year after year before people become bored and start looking elsewhere for summer activities.
I have not been part of the Farm Fair since 2010. When I left after the fair that year, there was over $30,000 in the treasury and all bills were paid. That year the Board of Directors requested money from Harford County as a reimbursement for the electric that had been paid for the Equestrian Center. When that money turned out to be a grant instead of a reimbursement, I did not want to take it but was voted down and the money was taken.
Thank you for the clarification.
If they had a decent record keeper there would have been no need to get someone else to audit the event. Sounds to me like someone had their hands in the cookie jar. If the event is broke, then its time to either end it, or give it to someone else who can do a better job.
It’s unfortunate…the fair reflects the state of Harford County in that it doesn’t know if it’s better to represent our rural heritage or something quite different from that so it does neither very well. I do have to say a few years ago I was back in the barns and there in a stall was a little farm boy laying down asleep with his calf who had won a ribbon. It was a precious thing to see and a real reminder of what farm fairs are supposed to be. Maybe go lighter on all the food and really make it about agriculture – it not, quite calling it a farm fair because it won’t be. My goodness in many cases some of the suburban kids have never seen or touched a plow horse – you can’t appreciate what you don’t know. Support our local farms, learn about how hard it is to run a farm, the dedication of the 4-H’ers, etc.
I find it amusing that real estate developers and agents are responsible for killing off most of the farm land in the county, and now run a farm fair.
My love of the fair has been tempered over the years, and lets all admit, between the heat and the vendors last year was poor. But at 26 years of age I can count on one hand the number of Farm Fairs I have missed.
For me it was one of the best parts of summer.
> Face Painting and Custom buttons in the Kids Way
> Scales and Tales bringing out the reptiles
> Somewhere in my house is a drawer full of plaster casts of progressively larger fingers from dental molds
> Doing some early school shopping in the form of 2 dozen free pencils from various vendors
> Little silver pin-on badges from the police department
> Admiring the cute girls at the Anytime Spas hottub display
> Meeting my first girlfriend, whom I would have never met otherwise (ok that one didn’t work out so well)
> A few teenage years of listening to local youth bands play on a stage tucked far far from everything else
>> Being told we weren’t allowed ot mosh
> The Mongoose Stunt Show – letting me know that riding BMX instead of playing football was ok
> Being knocked out of the spelling bee first round and learning a life lesson on not rushing
and most importantly
> The blessed excess of the tractor pull. That is worth the price of admission alone. Hearing the same announcer for years, “I’ll bet you a snickers bar….” “Green light, green flag”
I agree, it needs help. With it being an election year the political tent will be packed. I genuinely appreciate that the rides and beer garden are being kept seperate from the fair itself, but if it pays the bills and lets more kids experience the joys I did growing up, its not a bad thing.
WOW…all that and nothing mentioned about animals at the FARM fair. I wonder if the Face Painter and the Button Maker had to PAY $500 to Paint and Make Buttons like the organizers wanted to CHARGE the BALLOON ARTIST to Make Balloons for the kids….UNREAL….
I spend a few summers working for one of the farms that brings some of the live-stock for the animal show area. Had enough farm by the time I got there. I appreciate 4H, but I wasn’t a member so much of it was lost on me. And if I remember correctly, all those buttons have some sort of sponsorship markings (probably WPOC) around the border…..
I am a Harford County 4-Her who is willing to admit the fair isnt the most exciting fair in the world for the average fair goer. But to 4Hers it is EVERYTHING, we look forward to it every year to showcase all our hard work. Everyone who has the negative comments posted above, I CHALLENGE you to meet a 4Her(just cause you were in 4H yourself doesnt mean you understand todays 4H world) and ask them about what they do in 4H and what the farm fair means to them. Adults are always saying “the kids are the future” so talk to the KIDS about what the fair means to them, maybe we have suggestions! (trust me, we do!) Before you judge an entire organization why not take a closer look, squeeze into a young 4Hers shoes for a day and experience the world like we do. A little perspective, a lot less negativity and a whole lot more progress can happen. If you want a better fair, MAKE a better fair!
I think the majority of you are missing the point completely. The farm fair is about 4-H. DUH. The 4-Her’s work extremely hard getting their livestock up to par to show and sell them in the auction. I showed at the fair for 16 years. Us 4-Her’s didn’t care if the public enjoyed their time at the pig races, it was about taking care of our animals and doing what we love. The fair is centered around the 4-Her’s and what they have done throughout their time in the program. To be completely honest, I think the fair should be JUST for 4-Her’s, that way we wouldn’t have to deal with the obnoxious public completely trashing the fair. Shame on you for being immature with these horrible comments, and if you hate Harford County that much, then LEAVE.
Wow..Really? Leave Harford County over a Fair? As Harford County grows..so should the fair. It needs to offer more to a diverse community. Not just showing off cows and pigs. It needs to be audited first of all. It needs to offer more for the kids..AND…if a local businessman offers his talents for FREE such as making balloon animals for the kids…let him do it…without charging him $500!! Unreal. That is why I enjoy St. Stephens Carnival on Bradshaw Road. It offers everything for everyone. No complaints. It is well organized and does not require an audit each year for the lack of funds. Seriously…what an embarrassment….we needed a Carnival to raise money for a Fair?…am I the only one that sees something wrong with that…plus a Beer Garden next to the Kids area….only in Harford County!!!
A big thank you for your post.Thanks Again. Awesome.