PRINCE FREDERICK, MD — Katelyn Jackson of Huntingtown High School was named Miss Tranquility for the 2025 Calvert County Fair, with Daelin Rice of the same school selected as Lord Calvert. The announcement came ahead of the fair’s opening on September 24, 2025, at the Calvert County Fairgrounds on Route 231. Morgan Castro-Arndt of Patuxent High School earned first runner-up for Miss Tranquility, sponsored by Prince Frederick Spring Hill Suites, while Derek Sheranko of Patuxent High School took the same position for Lord Calvert, sponsored by Sheranko Farms. The fair’s social media post stated, “A job well done to all!”
The contests, open to county residents ages 16 to 19, draw from local high schools to highlight student leadership and community involvement. Judges evaluate participants on public speaking, poise, academic records and extracurricular activities, as seen in prior years. Winners receive $1,250 scholarships each, funded through fair proceeds and sponsor contributions. Jackson, sponsored by her parents Christina and Alex Jackson, and Rice, backed by Cutty Rock’N Ribs LLC, will preside over the fair’s opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Photos with the court will be available throughout the weeklong event.
The Calvert County Fair, marking its 139th year in 2025, runs through September 28 at the 50-acre fairgrounds in Prince Frederick, the county seat. Established in 1887 under the direction of early agricultural agents like John Drury of the University of Maryland Extension Service, the event began as a modest showcase for local farmers on sites such as Prince Frederick Town Hall and nearby school grounds. By the 1920s, agent John Morsell revived it with encouragement from the Calvert County Farm Bureau, expanding exhibits to include livestock and produce amid the region’s tobacco and corn farming boom. The fair moved to its current location in the mid-20th century, growing into a nonprofit operation managed by a board of directors that promotes agricultural education through 4-H programs and competitive displays.
Calvert County’s agricultural roots trace to its founding in 1654, when English settlers established plantations along the Patuxent River for tobacco cultivation. Today, the county sustains about 100 working farms across 215 square miles, producing soybeans, corn and livestock valued at $20 million annually, per U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The fair celebrates this heritage with events like the livestock auction, where 4-H members sell animals raised on family operations in areas such as Dunkirk and Sunderland. Educational components include demonstrations on sustainable farming practices, aligned with Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, where Calvert contributes through nutrient management plans for local waterways.
Sponsors play a key role in the royalty program, covering entry fees and providing visibility at the fair. Cutty Rock’N Ribs LLC, a barbecue restaurant in Prince Frederick, supports Rice’s entry, reflecting the event’s ties to local businesses that line Route 4. Sheranko Farms, a family-run operation in Huntingtown specializing in hay and cattle, backs Sheranko, underscoring generational farming involvement. Prince Frederick Spring Hill Suites, a Marriott property off Route 4, aids Castro-Arndt, highlighting tourism’s link to the fair, which draws 30,000 visitors yearly and boosts hotel occupancy by 20 percent during the event.
The fair’s schedule includes agricultural shows starting Thursday, with judging for baked goods, crafts and floral arrangements in the main hall. Friday features Youth Day with performances by local school choruses and the Red Hat Parade, a senior-focused event at 10 a.m. Saturday brings the tractor pull and demolition derby, while Sunday closes with a parade at 1 p.m. along Dares Beach Road. Carnival rides from Reithoffer Shows operate daily, alongside food vendors offering Southern Maryland staples like crab cakes and Smith Island cake. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and youth, with free entry for children under 5 and active military.
Safety measures for 2025 include a traffic plan from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, effective 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Motorists must use Route 506 (Sixes Road) to Route 508 (Adelina Road) then Route 231 for entry, with satellite parking at the College of Southern Maryland campus when lots fill. Sheriff Ricky Cox noted in a release that the plan aims to reduce congestion on the two-lane stretches of Route 231, a common route for fairgoers from St. Mary’s and Charles counties. Deputies will enforce no re-entry policies and vendor pass requirements during peak hours.
The royalty court will appear at key events, including the opening ceremony and livestock auction, where proceeds support scholarships and 4-H clubs. Past queens, like 2024’s Ava Wilson of Calvert High School, have used the platform for community service, such as food drives that collected 5,000 cans in 2024. The program fosters skills transferable to college applications, with many alumni attending institutions like the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
In Calvert County, where 90 percent of land remains rural despite a population nearing 100,000, the fair serves as a bridge between tradition and modern life. It coincides with harvest season, allowing families to showcase homegrown produce amid challenges like rising feed costs. The event also promotes youth engagement in agriculture, countering urban sprawl from Annapolis commuters. For locals in Prince Frederick, the fairgrounds double as a venue for year-round events, from farmers markets to county festivals.
As the fair approaches its September 24 start, organizers encourage advance ticket purchases online at calvertcountyfair.com to avoid lines. The royalty announcement builds anticipation, reminding residents of the event’s role in preserving Calvert’s farming legacy while entertaining new generations.
