fair

The 4-H floats rolls by in the annual fair parade.

These young farmers participate in a photo op with their awards. John Richards, the long standing president of the St. Mary's County Fair is pictured far right.

Many animals are auctioned off to the highest bidder. The steer on the auction block is identified as a Grand Champion.

Each year the fair selects one artwork, submitted by local students, to be used for the annual T-Shirt design. The design is also used on the cover of the fair catalog. Shirt and ballcaps are available for purchase throughout the fair at a reasonable price.

Many farmers clean up their tractors and bring them to the fair to be displayed. Dozens of tractors, ranging from antique to brand new and for sale, can be seen.

The tractor pull is an annual favorite. This antique Ford did as well as most modern tractors. As the tractor pulls the weight sled behind it, cables incrementally pull the large black weights on top of the sled closer to the front. As the weights get closer to the front of the sled, more and...

There's always plenty of food on hand. The selections range from hot dogs, hamburger and italian sausages to ice cream and funnel cakes.

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) displays one of the engines at the fair. All of the fire departments in Southern Maryland are volunteer. Please support the fundraising drives for the VFD and the rescue squads. If you ever need their services, you'll be glad you did.

The pig races are always a favorite of the small children. Little piggies race around a small track. Several children are selected from the crowd for each race. Each one is assigned a piggie and the winner receives a prize. Ducks also race, although the action is not as fast paced :lol:

The mary;and State Police's Race Car on display at the fair. We're not sure where they run this car if anywhere.

A carnival is always a part of the fair's festivities. Rides and games of chance are available for all ages.

These women demonstrate the old fashioned way of spinning wool yarn. Live sheep are on display nearby and a sheep shearing demonstration is usually part of the show.

Every farm animal imaginable is on display at the fair. Here we see the tail end of some cattle.

Another good part of the fair is all of the good food that is available. Hot roasted peanuts are always a favorite of many people.

Equestrian events are always a part of the fair. These young ladies demonstrate the riding capabilities for the crowd and the judges. The horses are very beautiful and a spectacular sight for young children.

Mother & son pet a sheep in his pen. The sheep looks like he recently received a haircut. The fair always includes a display of sheep, a sheep shearing demonstration and women spinning yarn using old manual machines.

This gentleman is providing a wood carving demonstration using a chainsaw. The wood sculptures are typically auctioned off to the highest bidder near the end of the fair.