Wyn Delano
WMAL.com

GAITHERSBURG, MD (WMAL) — The largest fair of its kind on the East Coast is set to open its doors at 3PM today on the outskirts of the urban sprawl of a D.C. metroplex that stretches further and further every year.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg was founded back in 1945, when Montgomery County was a very different place – rural farmers gathering to show off prize livestock and farming tips to a primarily local community.

Time, however, has seen Montgomery County explode into an urban, populous community primarily connected with people working and interacting with the urban metropolis of Washington D.C.

Yet Montgomery County has decided, for better or worse, to preserve elements of its rural history – notably an agricultural preserve in Potomac that has drawn the ire of transit advocates continually seeking to build a bridge, and continually being denied.

And so the fair remains, bigger than ever, as both a reminder of the past and as a tool to educate a now urban populace on what a more rural lifestyle, common in other parts of Maryland, looks like.

Marty Svercek, the Executive Director of the Fair, explains the allure:

“The farm animals are a big draw, the food is the second draw, and our third draw – not necessarily in any order of preference – are the rides and entertainment.”

Okay. So maybe the Fair isn’t entirely rural.

But there is real power in showcasing such a large collection of agricultural accoutrements alongside the rides and stalls, according to Svercek:

“There are many people who believe that milk comes from Safeway or Giant. We have a milking parlor where folks can learn how cows produce milk, about the process for raising a dairy cow – how milk is processed from start to finish.”

And if milking a cow just doesn’t seem to scratch that rural itch, Svercek can offer one better,

“We have a birthing center were you can actually witness a live birth – we expect to have five or more live births during the fair this year.”

“Its an opportunity to touch base with agricultural roots that [with] Montgomery County has been part of their culture forever,” he adds.

There were safety concerns earlier this month that had caused rumblings that some of the fairs in the area, including Montgomery County’s, could be delayed or impacted due to a swine flu outbreak and ride malfunctions at a separate fair in Ohio.

However, as of Friday none of those fears materialized, and Svercek insisted that the fair is taking every precaution with their animals and rides to provide a safe and fun experience for everyone who attends.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair opens today, Friday the 11th at 3PM and runs through Saturday, the 19th at Midnight.

Their slogan – “take a fair day.”

Gates will open at 10AM (with rides opening at noon) at close at midnight on most days.

Ttckets start at $12, with children 11 and under coming in free.

There are also discounts available on the fair’s website, www.mcagfair.com.

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