Now with permanent buildings!
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Today's the second day of the Caroline County Agricultural Fair, and things are bound to be running smoothly, and fun, with Cactus Jack on stage tonight and Pig Racing at 7 p.m. and again at 9, along with the Watermelon Eating Contest. There's a Civil War Encampment to wander around too, the Midway rides to whirl around on, livestock to visit and vote for the "Most Popular," a hay ride and a tractor show.
Events are multitudinous too on Friday with The Embers starring on stage, corn to shuck, hogs to call, more watermelon to gobble, home goods to admire, and Casper on stage Saturday, with the whirlwind not winding down until Sunday. On Saturday too, the Caroline Hunt Club gives a fox hunting demonstration at 6 p.m. with about 10 riders in classic foxing hunt garb mounted on their hunters, and about 10 to 15 hounds jumping over things and following the call of Master of the Hounds Bob Ferrer's copper and silver horn. "It's small but it makes a lot of noise," said his wife and fellow Master of the Hounds Elizabeth Gravatt. Also coming off without a hitch, no doubt, was yesterday's building dedication for the three new Fair buildings, the J. Stuart Martin Pavilion, the L.J. Moyer Home Goods Pavilion with the Shirley Flagg Green Multi-Purpose Area and the James R. Tate, Sr. Pavilion, also known as "The Barn."
Last Friday a diehard crew of volunteers led by Fair Manager Mack Wright was still hard at work finishing those enormous buildings, and with all there was left to do, and the sun beating down, and after days of labor, they might have been feeling a little desperate. But these were hardy souls. "We're not going to worry until noon on Wednesday (Opening Day)!" said Mack. Spry Bill Benner was there too, and so was Audie Hayes and Donald Normand. "By that time it'll be too late to worry about anything!" said Herbert Tate. Meanwhile George Gramp, 57, was banging away with a 22-and-one-half ounce hammer, and Freddy Bishop, known as "The Monkey Carpenter," was climbing through the rafters.
Sweltering a little, Fair President Fran Whittaker headed off to make 12 dozen cupcakes for the Building Dedication, and by late afternoon Friday, the James R. Tate Sr. Agricultural Pavilion sign, done up in John Deere colors, was hoisted high on The Barn and attached. Kenny and Buster Tate were there for the occasion, and so was Nancy Cabaniss with their grandsons Jonathan and Trey. Her husband David was just back from North Carolina where he'd gone to fetch the signs. On hand too was Sylvia Tate, under an enormous straw hat. Tons of work was still left to do, a drought was raging, temperatures soaring, the corn gone to ruin, but these were the undaunted. "We're on a mission; it'll get done. We're still on this side of the grass," said mighty Mack Wright.