Fair Origins

The Cecil County Fair originated in 1953, when members of the Calvert, Cecilton and Colora Granges met over lunch to discuss the idea. The founding members were Robert Carrion, Bill Groff, Walt Mason, and Ray Mueller, Cecil County’s Agricultural Extension Agent at the time.

The group approached Mr. William DuPont, who owned the property known today as Fair Hill Natural Resources. Mr. DuPont welcomed the idea and was very supportive. In fact, he helped to share the expense of the fledgling fair throughout its first years, along with donating a grandstand and several outbuildings for displays and livestock.

In 1954, the first fair was held. It was a one-day event, held on July 31 from 10 AM to 10 PM. Admission was completely free. Local individuals, organizations, businesses as well as the county commissioners provided the financial support.

There were approximately 752 entries from 204 open and 4-H exhibitors. Prizes were awarded in many categories, including home arts, food, flowers, produce, dairy, beef and horses.

Among the first exhibitors were the Grange, the Homemakers’ Club and the Cecil County PTA. The midway consisted of just two booths – a dart and balloon game and baseball and bottle game! All comers walked away with a prize.

Following a calf scramble, where the winner kept the calf, the evening’s entertainment concluded with a performance by the North East High School Band.

In the years that have followed, the fair – and Cecil County – have changed dramatically. More than 70,000 people attend the 9-day fair. The fair celebrates our agricultural heritage, while providing hands-on learning opportunities for children and adults to explore today’s complex food chain – from animal to vegetable. Entertainment highlights include the ever-popular demolition derby, a professionally-sanctioned rodeo, tractor and truck pulls, plus countless competitions for 4-H youth and county residents to showcase their skills.

On behalf of the all-volunteer fairboard we want to thank you for attending the Cecil County Fair and sharing our rich history while helping us look to the future of farming!

Past Fair Board Officers (1954 - 2005)

Past Presidents

William Groff - (1954-1956, 1964)
F. Grove Miller - (1957-1959)
Fred Lieske - (1960-1963)
Harold David - (1965-1969)
John Ware - (1970-1973)
George Underwood - (1974-1985)
Carl Stafford - (1986-2007)

Past Vice-Presidents

Robert Carrion - (1954)
F. Grove Miller - (1955-1956, 1960, 1964)
Fred Lieske - (1957-1959)
Walton Mason - (1960)
Guy McGrady - (1961-1962, 1965-1967)
Harold David - (1963)
John Harrison - (1968-1969)
George Underwood - (1970-1973)
Carl Stafford - (1974-1985)
Al Miller - (1986-2007)

Past Secretaries

Frank D. Brown, Jr. - (1954-1957)
Mrs. Fred Cox - (1958-1974)
Mrs. Howard Burrows - (1975)
Phyllis Yale - (1976-1980)
Doris Matthews - (1981-1992)
Ila Frederick - (1993-1994)
Pat Kincaid - (1995)
Patty Banas - (1996-2000)
Debbie Harris - (2001-2007)

Past Treasurers

Frank D. Brown, Jr. - (1954-1955)
Thomas Lippincott - (1956)
Paul Scanlan - (1957-1960)
William Groff - (1961)
Robert L. Moore - (1962-1967)
F. Guy McGrady - (1968-1976)
Ila Frederick - (1977-1980)
Annette Hunter (Cooper) - (1981-1990)
Dorothy Gill - (1991)
Karen Long - (1992-1993)
Patty Banas - (1994-2000)
Joyce Bartlett/Miller - (2001-2006)
Emily Berkey - (2007)

50th Anniversary Speech - July 19, 2003

Given by Mark Barczewski, Chairman 50th Annual Cecil County Fair Committee

Tonight before our Antique Tractor Parade the Cecil County Fair Board would like to take this opportunity to recognize a few people who have shown outstanding devotion to Cecil County. Many people have been a part of the making this fair successful for the past 50 years. If I were to stand here and name them all, it would take until midnight and I would still probably miss a few. The three men and one woman standing here tonight were all a part of the first fair on July 31, 1954. It began as a 1 day event and has since grown into a 10 day event that showcases the best of Cecil County. The entire fair is run by a board of volunteers that puts an incredible amount of time and effort into making this fair happen. I’d like you all to give a round of applause to our current fair board for all of their time and effort. Now I’d like to recognize our honored guests.

Mr. Walton Mason served as part of the grounds and entertainment committee for the first fair and later became a member of the fair board of directors and served on the board for 11 years. In the 1970s he served two terms as county commissioner and for each of the fair’s 50 years he has served the fair in some capacity, whether it be as head of the Calvert Grange, as a 4-H leader, as a judge, or as part of some fair committee. Mr. Mason is one of the few who can say that he has served the Cecil County Fair for 50 years. Perhaps his most important contribution was his involvement in the founding of the fair itself.

Mr. Grove Miller served as a member of the fair board for the first fair as a representative for the Calvert district. Grove went on to serve as a fair board member for 22 years. He served as vice-president for 4 years and as president for 3 years. Grove has consistently contributed to the fair for 50 years and his son Al, currently serves as our Vice President. Grove also represents Cecil County as the president of the Maryland State Fair in Timonium. The Miller family has been one of the greatest contributors to the Cecil County Fair over the past 50 years.

Mrs. Thelma Rothwell along with Grove Miller was a member of the original 12 member Cecil County Fair Board of Directors. We would like to recognize her contribution to the fair thank her for her years of service.

Not enough can be said about our next award recipient, Mr. Howard Skinner. Howard is the only person who can say that he has been at the Cecil County Fair just about every hour of every fair for the last 50 years. Not only that, but he has been in charge of setting up and taking down the fair for all 50 years as well. I don’t feel that any single man has contributed as much to the fair as Howard Skinner. He keeps these grounds running smoothly and solves so many problems that most of us don’t even know about. When anyone needs something done they know to go see Howard and he will take care of it. His dedication is unprecedented and I am honored to give him this award recognizing his contributions.

Finally tonight, I would like to recognize one last person. Without him this fair would not be where it is today. It is a great accomplishment to start a fair, but it may even be a greater accomplishment to keep it going. Ever since he moved to Cecil County in the late 1960s he has been involved with the Cecil County Fair. Elected to the fair board in 1970, no one in the 50 years of the fair has served on the fair board longer than this man, and after 34 years he still is involved in just about every aspect of putting this fair together. In 1974 he was elected vice president of the fair and served that position until 1985 when he was elected president. A position which he still serves today. Even Howard says, “Carl’s the boss.” Please give a round of applause to our fair president Carl Stafford.

Please enjoy our special events for this 50th year of the fair. Including our two displays in the Walls Building and decorations around the fair grounds. You can also purchase your 50th Annual Fair T-Shirt at the Cherry Grove booth in the Wall’s building or at the fair office on the far side of the grandstands. Enjoy the fair!!!