Junior Farm Fair to be held in Hunt Valley

The 66th annual Hereford Junior Farm Fair on Aug. 13 is still about giving Baltimore County youth a chance to have their animals, vegetables, flowers and crafts judged.

But this year's fair has moved to a new location and a new breed of animal has been added to the show ring.

The fair will be held at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture, know simply as the Ag Center, on Shawan Road in Hunt Valley.

The fair is open to Baltimore County residents under age 21, with no requirement to belong to a 4-H club.

It kicks off with a pet show at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. Awards are given for categories such as best dressed, prettiest, best performance and best handled. Indoor exhibits are judged starting at 7 p.m.

The next day features the animal exhibits and judging, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food will be sold from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

And for the first time, alpacas will be judged along with the fair regulars — swine, sheep, cattle, rabbits, guinea pigs and goats.

"The fair's board realized there are only eight dairy farms left in Baltimore County, so we needed to look at other species that are gaining popularity in the county," said David Cavey, board president and the fair coordinator. "We hope to add poultry next year since so many people are raising their own chickens."

David Nye, who owns Bell House Alpacas on York Road in Parkton, agreed to be in charge of the alpaca department and find judges.

Alpacas will be judged on their ability to go through an obstacle course.

Nye's granddaughter, Hailey Knott, 11, has been practicing for the fair with Lucius, a 3-year-old, 148-pound alpaca. Lucius follows her up two wooden steps and across a ramp, over two jumps, in and out of four cones and across a wooden teeter-totter.

"Alpacas would never do any of this on their own, so it takes a lot of work to get them comfortable with the course," Nye said. "I think people at the fair will enjoy seeing something new."

The fair began in 1945 at Sparks High School and moved to Hereford High School grounds when the school opened in 1954. Because of proposed construction at the school, the fair moved last year to Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in Parkton. That site was offered again this year, but the fair board decided the Ag Center was the best fit.

"We welcomed the fair to the Ag Center since it relates to what we do," said Gene Swackhamer, president of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council.

The nonprofit Council promotes and preserves agriculture and open space in Maryland and provides programs to educate the public about agriculture at the Ag Center.

Swackhamer said the Ag Center has an animal barn, an exhibit barn and an outdoor arena for the Fair to use.

Hereford Junior Farm Fair premium books are available at Hereford Library. A new website, http://www.herefordjrfarmfair.com has information and applications for indoor entries that can be downloaded.

The Ag Center is located at 1114 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley.