The Rich History of the Talbot County Fair

EventStory
Written By Sarah Kilmon

Summer is here, and across Maryland, farmers and young exhibitors are bringing the best of their best into the show ring and the judging tent. County and state fairs have been a cornerstone of American agriculture for more than 200 years, celebrating the skills, dedication, and traditions that connect communities to the land. From prize-winning livestock to homegrown produce and handcrafted projects, these fairs highlight the hard work that goes into every season.

Fair Activities begin in Talbot County

Small agricultural exhibitions in Talbot County can trace their origins to informal gatherings like the one held at “Hole-In-the-Wall”, a favorite throughfare for sailors traveling between Oxford and Dover in the late 1700s. The area was later renamed Hambleton and became the county’s first fairgrounds and racetrack. In the 1880s, the annual county fairs relocated to Idlewild, just south of Easton, where larger facilities could accommodate growing crowds and expanded exhibits.

The Talbot County Fair Association

Harness racing at the Talbot County Fair Grounds, Easton, 1895. Photo credit: Talbot County: A History by Dickston J. Preston

In 1885, The Talbot County Fair Association established permanent fairgrounds at Idlewild Park, strategically located where two railroad lines intersected. Here, they built a racetrack, grandstand, and exhibition buildings to accommodate growing crowds.

“To make access easier from downtown Easton, the association cut a new road at the cost of five hundred dollars, exendign Harrison Street through Earle’s Addition, the newest part of town, to a junction with Trappe Road at the park.” - Talbot County: A History by Dickston J. Preston

The First Annual Fair of the Talbot County Fair Association officially launched in September 1886, offering $5,400 in prize money. Advertised as the “First Annual Exhibition of Agricultural and Mechanical Exhibits, and Display of Livestock,” it attracted families from Maryland and neighboring states—Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Grandstand at the Talbot County Fair in 1898. Photo credit: Talbot County: A History by Dickston J. Preston

During the early fairs:

  • Attendance averaged around 4,000 people daily over the four‑day events

  • Fees was 50¢ for walking entry, 75¢ for horseback, and 50¢ per horse-drawn vehicle; exhibitors paid $1, while women and children entered for 50¢

  • Features included horse shows—ranging from roadsters and coaches to heavy draft horses—as well as livestock judging focused on quality, size, and breed traits

This version of the fair ended in 1915, after Talbot County Fair Association ran into financial difficulties.

Modern Evolution and Continued Tradition

Over the ensuing decades, the Talbot County Fair evolved but remained rooted in agriculture and community. Its home, the Talbot County Agriculture & Education Center, was officially founded on July 23, 1964, when Donald Spies, Thomas Meredith, and John Mulder signed on as the first organizers of the facility on Hiners Lane.

Now celebrating its 60th year, the Agriculture & Education Center operates as an independent nonprofit—a distinction that sets it apart from neighboring county fairgrounds, which are typically government-run. In partnership with organizations like Easton FFA, Easton Lions Club, Talbot County 4-H, the Talbot County Farm Bureau, and Tri-County Ruritan, the Center aims to strengthen rural culture and provide agricultural education opportunities to residents of all ages.

Amanda Clougherty, president of the Ag Center and co-chair of the fair committee, describes the fair as “a small, old-time, family-fun outing,” reflecting the facility’s unique character and community focus. While the fair remains its most visible annual event, the Center stays active year-round, hosting weddings, birthday parties, meetings, workshops, and new community partnerships.

With no full-time paid staff, the Center relies on volunteers and local support to keep operations running smoothly. Clougherty calls it “a labor of love and service,” underscoring how generations of families and youth have contributed to its success—and benefited in return.

The Talbot County Fair, now in its 41st year at this location, continues to be held each July at: 10659 Hiner’s Lane, Easton, MD

It features indoor exhibits of home arts and crafts, livestock shows and auctions, educational programming, and 4-H events, maintaining the spirit of agricultural celebration that has defined it for decades.

The Idlewild Fairgrounds

This photo was recently found in the Lowndes/ Johnson families photo album located in the archive section of the Talbot Historical Society’s Collections vault. The photo is of Miss Marnie Lowndes with her friends in 1898 enjoying oysters “in any style” under the grandstand at Idlewild Fairgrounds.

Photo Credit: Talbot Historical Society, Lowndes/Johnson Family Album

4-H and the Fair

One of the most cherished aspects of the Talbot County Fair is its close partnership with 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands and Health), the nation’s largest youth development organization. Over the past century, 4-H has become the beating heart of the fair, providing young people with hands-on opportunities to learn responsibility, confidence, and leadership through agriculture and creative projects.

4-H Members prepare and present livestock, crops, crafts, baked goods, and other projects for judging. These exhibits showcase practical skills in animal husbandry, agriculture, and home arts, and give participants experience with record-keeping, goal-setting, and public presentation.

4-H member exhibits on display, circa 1921. 4-H competitions continue to be a highlight of the fair. Photo Credit: Brighton Laznovsky in “A Pictoral History of Talbot County, Maryland”

The fair also hosts a livestock auction, where animals raised by 4-H members are sold to local buyers. Proceeds help fund future projects and, in many cases, support education expenses. In addition to competitions and displays, the fair includes events organized by 4-H clubs, such as educational demonstrations and community fundraisers.

This collaboration between 4-H and the fair emphasizes hands-on learning and reinforces the fair’s original purpose: to celebrate local agriculture, encourage youth development, and bring the community together.

A Legacy Celebrated

From modest rural gatherings to a multi‑day regional fair, the evolution of the Talbot County Fair mirrors both agricultural innovation and community heritage.

Today’s celebrations carry forward traditions of livestock shows, crafts, food, and family fun that first took hold in the late 19th century, maintaining the event's purpose: to educate, celebrate, and unite.

Further Reading / Resources

Sarah Kilmon
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