La Plata, MD — The Charles County Fair Board will host the 101st annual Charles County Fair from Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the fairgrounds on 8440 Fairgrounds Road in La Plata. This four-day event draws thousands of visitors from Southern Maryland counties including Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, featuring livestock shows, 4-H contests, carnival rides and family activities.
Organized by the nonprofit Charles County Fair Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity independent of county government, the fair emphasizes agricultural education and community engagement. Exhibits open for entry on Wednesday, September 10, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with livestock accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Judging for most non-livestock and flower entries begins at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Admission costs $10 for those ages 11 and older, with children 10 and under entering free at all times. A four-day season pass sells for $25, available at ticket booths or the fair office after September 1. Thursday offers half-price entry at $5 for adults ages 11 and up. Friday, designated as school children’s day, admits all school-aged children free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., coinciding with Charles County public schools closed for the event. Tickets accept cash, credit cards and Apple Pay at main and south gates. Fairgoers under 17 must be accompanied by an adult after 5 p.m., and hand stamps allow same-day re-entry before 6 p.m.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday, with exhibit buildings accessible from 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday feature 8 a.m. gate openings and 9 a.m. building access, while Sunday starts at 9 a.m. for gates and 10 a.m. for exhibits. Commercial buildings follow similar hours, closing at 9 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. The carnival midway, operated by Rosedale Amusements, runs from 5 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, with evening closure at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ride wristbands cost $20 Thursday evening, $30 Sunday with a $5 Charles County Schools coupon, and individual tickets apply otherwise.
Thursday kicks off with grounds open to the public at 4 p.m. and buildings at 5 p.m. The evening includes a 4-H livestock skillathon contest and sheep show, culminating in the 7 p.m. coronation of the 89th Queen Nicotina pageant winner.
Friday’s schedule highlights 4-H livestock shows starting at 8:30 a.m. for swine, beef and goats. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., school children’s day features games and relays by the Charles County Department of Parks and Recreation. Additional events include an 11:30 a.m. 4-H poultry judging and knowledge contest, noon reptile exhibit with Michael Shwedick, 2 p.m. contests in horticulture, dog knowledge and horsemanship, 3 p.m. rabbit judging and 4:30 p.m. rabbit showmanship. Horse pulls for light and heavy draft follow at 7 p.m.
Saturday begins with an 8 a.m. open swine show and 9 a.m. openings for buildings, a baby show and 4-H dog show. An 11 a.m. open beef show precedes 1 p.m. 4-H pretty animal contest and rabbit jumping. At 3 p.m., a children’s pie-eating contest takes place, followed by 3:30 p.m. livestock herdsman awards and the 4 p.m. 4-H livestock auction in the show ring. The auction sells market steers, sheep, swine and goats raised by 4-H members, with proceeds supporting the youth participants. Lawnmower races close the day at 7 p.m.
Sunday features 9 a.m. open sheep and goat shows, with buildings open at 10 a.m. A noon horse pull for mini teams under 34 and 38 inches leads into a 1 p.m. presentation of the queen and court. Auction demonstrations include 3:30 p.m. glass blowing and 4:30 p.m. wood carvings. 4-H awards present at 4 p.m., and exhibits release at 6 p.m., with commercial buildings closing at 7 p.m.
Free parking is available on the fairgrounds, with staff directing vehicles. A satellite lot at the Charles County Courthouse offers free shuttle service Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., reducing traffic and walking distances. The last shuttle from fairgrounds departs at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. Sunday.
No domestic pets are permitted except those entered in events, with service animals welcome if documented. The fair enforces a zero-tolerance code of conduct against disruptive behavior, fighting, vulgarity or disrespect, potentially leading to removal or arrest. Smoking is allowed outdoors away from food areas and buildings, and cannabis use is prohibited by state law.
Food vendors offer fair staples like crab cakes, alongside healthier options. ATM machines stand outside main and south gates. Donations of non-perishable food items support the Southern Maryland Food Bank at entry points.
General rules apply across departments: no entry fees, classes open to residents of specified counties, directors may refuse entries, and all exhibits fall under fair board control. Superintendents handle receiving and placement. Exhibits compete by number until post-judging, with judges’ decisions final and premiums awarded only for meritorious entries. No exhibits remove before 6 p.m. Sunday, and premiums pay within 30 days if addresses provide. Inclement weather may adjust premiums, and changes announce via local media.
Livestock rules require health certificates and self-evaluations, with all animals on grounds by 8 p.m. Wednesday. Open class limits two entries per exhibitor per class, with no more than two premiums per class. The International Association of Fairs and Expositions National Code of Show Ring Ethics governs conduct, requiring honesty and sportsmanship.
4-H programs, supervised by University of Maryland Extension, feature extensively, with members ages 8-18 eligible and Clover participants ages 5-7 for recognition. The fair dedicates its 2025 catalog to the late Ada Jean Glover, a former board president from 2003-2008 who served 35 years.
President Glenn Belmore leads the board, including vice president James Simpson, secretary Luci Kidwell and treasurer Samuel Graves Jr. The event thanks supporters like the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board for premium funding and volunteers from 4-H, Farm Bureau and others.
As the fair enters its second century, it continues traditions started in 1925, showcasing local agriculture and youth development in Southern Maryland.
