LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Organizers have released an updated digital version of the St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 catalog, addressing omissions in the printed edition, particularly in the Home Arts Department, ahead of the event set for Sept. 18-21 at the fairgrounds. The revisions include extensive changes to classes in baked goods, ensuring exhibitors have accurate details for entries in categories like yeast breads, quick breads, pies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies and candy.
The St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 opens Thursday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. with exhibits judged earlier in the day, followed by the Queen of Tolerance Coronation Ceremony at 4 p.m., a 4-H Horse Demonstration at 5:30 p.m. and a Miniature Horse Pull at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, designated as School and 4-H Activities Day, runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with free admission for students until 5 p.m., featuring livestock shows, chainsaw sculptures, a Sheriff’s Department K-9 demonstration, scholastic exhibits, a speech contest, a middle school band concert, a Clydesdales demonstration at 5:30 p.m., a 4-H Cake Auction at 6 p.m., Coon Mule Jumping at 6:30 p.m. and a Light Weight Horse Pull at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20, highlights Parade Day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., including the fair parade at 10:30 a.m., open class livestock shows, a 4-H livestock auction at 5 p.m., blown glass demonstrations, chainsaw sculptures, a jousting tournament, another Clydesdales demonstration at 6:30 p.m. and a Heavy Weight Horse Pull at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Family Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers a Baby Contest at 10 a.m., gospel music, a horse show at 8 a.m., spinning and weaving demonstrations, and an Antique Tractor Pull starting at 10 a.m. Throughout the St. Mary’s County Fair 2025, visitors can explore livestock barns, exhibit buildings, the Thurston Baxter Farm Museum and University of Maryland Extension displays, alongside arts and crafts demonstrations from groups like the Southern Maryland Decorative Painters and Wood Carvers.
Admission for the St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 is free for children under 3, $2 daily or $5 for a season pass for ages 3-11, and $10 daily or $25 for a season pass for those 12 and older. The fairgrounds at 42455 Fairgrounds Road host additional year-round events, such as Scout camps, rabies clinics, the Southern Maryland Invitational Livestock Expo, Relay for Life and the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival, managed by the all-volunteer St. Mary’s County Fair Association.
The St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 catalog update corrects omissions in the printed version, notably restoring the Adult Baked Goods section with classes for yeast breads (white, whole wheat, French, ethnic, gluten-free, herb, raisin, sourdough, rye, sweet, cinnamon rolls, other rolls and machine-made varieties), quick breads (baking powder biscuits, muffins, fruit/nut, vegetable, coffee cake, ethnic, gluten-free and others), pies (apple, berry, cherry, peach, pecan, pumpkin, ethnic, cobbler, other and homemade crust), cakes (angel food, apple, applesauce, chocolate, German chocolate, gingerbread/molasses, pound plain or with additions, spice, white, yellow, with nuts/fruits/vegetables, ethnic, gluten-free and others), cupcakes (yellow, chocolate, with fruits/vegetables, filled, gluten-free and others), cakes from mixes (with nuts/spices/fruits/vegetables, sugar-free or gluten-free with additions), cookies (bar, brownies plain or with additions, cereal, chocolate chip, ethnic, gluten-free, molded, molasses/ginger, oatmeal, peanut butter, pressed, refrigerator, rolled, snickerdoodle, sugar, savory and others) and candy (butter cream, chocolate-covered cherries, ethnic, various fudges, mints, molded, nut roll and others). Exhibitors must refer to the digital copy for these and other Home Arts changes, as the printed edition distributed starting Aug. 10 at county libraries missed several classes.
The catalog cover for the St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 features artwork by Anslea Schiffelbein, a Leonardtown High School student who won a countywide contest for students in grades 5-12, receiving a $200 prize and recognition at the coronation ceremony. Second place went to Lilith Carroll, a homeschool student, for “Preserving Rural Life,” appearing in the daily program with a $100 prize. Honorable mentions include Riley Williamson, Sandi Simmons and Shir Glizberg, all from Leonardtown High School.
The St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 emphasizes agricultural heritage, with support from the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board and local partners like Cedar Point Federal Credit Union. Established as an all-volunteer effort, the fair traces roots to early farmers and homemakers events, evolving into a major Southern Maryland gathering that drew crowds for similar events in prior years, such as the 76th annual in 2023 with livestock auctions, parades and community exhibits. Animal health requirements follow Maryland Department of Agriculture guidelines, including certificates of veterinary inspection, self-certification forms and species-specific tests for diseases like avian influenza, with no poultry exhibitions allowed before June 1, 2025, due to recent outbreaks.
Exhibits are open to residents of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, with junior exhibitors under 16. Rules prohibit weapons, certain face coverings and pets in key areas, with service animals permitted under ADA guidelines except in the poultry building. Smoking and vaping are banned on grounds.
The Queen of Tolerance contest for the St. Mary’s County Fair 2025 accepts applications until Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. from unmarried female high school seniors or homeschoolers in the county with a 3.5 GPA, offering scholarships of $1,500, $1,000 and $500 for the queen and runners-up. Interviews occur Sept. 14, with coronation on opening night.
