So Many Choices To Make

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Thanks to cooperative (and generally sunny) weather, as well as the efforts of the event's organizers, participants, and vendors, the Garrett County Agriculture Fair continues to offer an array of exhibits, food, rides, and games for patrons of all ages. Above is young fairgoer Jackson Doyle of Salisbury, Pa., who, undeterred by hands already full, scans a kiddie-pool sized sea of rubber ducklings in hope of choosing a winner. The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, at the fairgrounds in McHenry. Photo by Barb Law.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Let The Fun Begin

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In addition to the rides and games of the midway, the 55th annual Garrett County Agriculture Fair will offer a wide range of fun activities for the whole family. Exhibits, musical entertainment, art displays, a magic show, and a wide variety of food and beverages are just some of the offerings that the $10 flat entrance fee will purchase. The event will take place from Aug. 13 to 20 at the fairgrounds in McHenry. For a complete schedule one may visit the web site www.garrettcountyfair.org.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 - toll free

Parking Lot Will Be Ready For Fair Week, Says Roads Department Superintendent

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Aug. 4, 2011

The Garrett County Roads Department has been busy working on the parking lot area at the fairgrounds in McHenry, general roads superintendent Jay Moyer indicated during a departmental update report for the county commissioners on Tuesday. He also reviewed paving projects and discussed adoption of an entrance permit policy with the officials.

"The bottom line is that the parking lot will be ready for use the week of the fair," Moyer said. "So that should squelch any rumors that the fair is going to be canceled because the parking lot is not ready."

A five-acre area was excavated for the lot, with about 18 inches of top soil removed. A local contractor then donated 12,000 cubic yards of suitable sub-base material and approximately 2,000 cubic yards of Grizzly base stone was laid over the area.

About 2,000 cubic yards of CR6 stone will be spread over the parking lot prior to the 55th annual Garrett County Agriculture Fair, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, through Saturday, Aug. 20.

In addition, 27 bases were installed for future lighting and five storm water collection inlets were constructed.

"There's definitely a lot of work yet to be done," Moyer noted.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 - toll free

Blue ribbon pumpkin from Garrett County Fair

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Aug. 19, 2010

A blue ribbon is happily displayed by Tailynn Friend, who earned the award at last week's Garrett County Agriculture Fair for her impressive "squash-like fruit," as the pumpkin is described on Wikipedia. The pumpkin weighed no fewer than 289 pounds.

Tailynn is one of hundreds of winning youngsters from last week's event, the results of which will be reported in The Republican newspaper's special Garrett County Fair supplement, to be published next week. The special pages will include the livestock sale report, multiple photographs, and lists of winners. Now if someone will simply carve out Tailynn's pumpkin and attach it to a miniature pony, she will have transportation to her next ball. Photo by Danielle Friend.

Read the article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Garrett County Fair - Railey Realty display booth

If you were at the Garrett County Agricultural Fair yesterday, you know first-hand how hot & muggy it was! I volunteered to work the Railey Realty booth in one of the exhibit barns. Very little heat escapes those barns, but it was well worth being there. Our best handout seemed to be the frisbees :) I got to see a lot of friends & families exploring, though the attendance overall was low at the fair - I think the looming storm clouds made people think twice about coming. For the record, it didn't rain at all until I was on my way home at 9:02pm and even then, it sprinkled.

It was 86 degrees at 6pm last night - which is much warmer than a typical night at the fair. I got to partake in my favorite fair cuisine - a Lions club chicken dinner. Once again, they delivered the goods with a perfectly moist and impeccably seasoned chicken. If the weather holds out, we'll be attending again this evening with the kids in tow. I still need to have some Rotary fries and a Farm Bureau milkshake :) If you weren't already aware, tickets at the gate are $10/each. BUT, Slopeside Exxon is selling books of 6 tickets for $30 - definitely a $$$ saver.

Something I really enjoy is looking at the photographs that are entered - there are great pics and I uploaded a video to Facebook (of course, the I Love Garrett County & Deep Creek Group page) of all the photos - quality stuff! I got to talk to Donnie Storch from Bills Marine Service and he almost had me talked into a dune buggy looking Razr (?) for off-roading, etc....that's all I need. Best part - it'll go 70 mph. I also spent a lot of time talking to my neighbors in the exhibit barn - Paula & Tim Thomas, who is running for county commissioner. Very friendly folks who seemed to know EVERYBODY.

We have several friends who entered goats & livestock - I'm personally looking forward to seeing Noah interact with all of the farm animals tonight :) He'll be 3 years old in a week and I think he'll get to ride some rides this year, too!

Go to the fair! Here is a link to the schedule.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Changes At Fair Result From New Hall Construction

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Aug. 5, 2010

Work continues to progress on the new 30,000-square foot trade and exhibit hall at the Garrett County fairgrounds, with completion anticipated later this fall. According to the Garrett County Fair Board, the construction work will require that a number of changes be made during the fair, which runs from Saturday, Aug. 7, through Saturday, Aug. 14.
"The board asks for everyone's understanding as we grow, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the 54th annual Garrett County Fair," a spokesperson said. "While the changes associated with the construction project will cause some inconveniences, the addition of the new building to the grounds is very positive, and should more than compensate for any temporary inconvenience that we all might experience."

Although the walk-in gate on U.S. Rt. 219 will remain open, all vehicle traffic must enter the grounds via the upper gate on Mosser Road.

Handicapped parking areas have been designated near the Rt. 219 walk-in gate, the walk-in gate at the track, and the walk-in gate off the Mosser Road exit.

Bleachers in front of the previous stage area have been removed as part of the construction project. The stage area itself will host small events and activities such as the pet show and senior citizens' day activities.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Work Progressing On Garrett County Trade/Exhibit Hall

Work Progressing On Garrett County Trade/Exhibit Hall


Mar. 18, 2010

Now that spring-like weather is finally here, work can continue on the 30,000-square-foot Trade Center/Exhibit Hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry. A ground-breaking ceremony was held in September, signaling the formal start of the construction.
Following a lengthy planning and bid process, Callas Construction of Hagerstown was awarded the contract valued at $2.9 million.

The building is designed to accommodate a wide range of events, including commercial exhibits, entertainment acts, school and civic related functions, weddings, fundraisers, auctions, and more.

The building includes office space and a commercial kitchen in addition to a platform for performing groups. The facility is projected to accommodate seating for 4,000+ people.

Shelley Missimer of Lakeside Architecture Inc. is serving as the principal designer for the project.

Read the rest of the article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett County Fair Board Awarded $20,000 State Grant

courtesy Republican News


Sep. 4, 2008

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Friday that the state has approved a $20,000 grant to help fund a strategic economic development study of the Garrett County Fairgrounds.
"Agriculture is an important part of the county's economy and a big influence with regard to our heritage and culture," said Denny Glotfelty, chairman of the Board of Garrett County Commissioners. "This grant will help sustain and promote interest in agriculture-related activities and businesses throughout the county."

Awarded through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), the grant is being used in conjunction with matching funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and $8,600 from Garrett County government and the Fair Board.

The study will help determine if the fairgrounds and its buildings are being fully utilized, while maintaining its main function as an agricultural and community center.

"The board is pleased the study is being funded by DBED, ARC, and Garrett County," said Debra Friend, president of the board of directors of the Garrett County Agriculture Fair Inc. "We recognize that increasing the utilization of the fairground facilities will contribute to the continued viability of the fair itself, as well as make space available to county residents and businesses in which to hold a variety of events."

The five-month study is being conducted by HOK Smith Forkner, Knoxville, Tenn., which has been responsible for the planning and design of over 180 fairgrounds throughout the U.S., including the Maryland State Fair, Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, and the state fair of Virginia.

"This grant represents a continuing commitment to support rural Maryland's agricultural industry by maximizing the opportunities the Garrett County Fairgrounds can offer to residents and businesses," said O'Malley. "We are pleased to leverage state funding with ARC and our local partners for this important study."


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Photo Gallery Garret County Fair 2008

Live at the Garrett County Fair!

I'm sitting in the display barn at the Garrett County Fair on a beautiful Saturday evening at the lake! The sun is just starting to set and you can see the last flicker of light shining on the vehicles parked along Garrett Highway. I have been fortunate to have had many friendly faces stopping by to visit me at the Long & Foster booth. I am always amazed at just how many people are in town for one of Garrett County's greatest traditions. Jack from Mountaineer Log & Siding has been here for a while, as well, and he seems to know everyone that walks by! Even with the market in a downturn, I have had many people asking specific questions about properties in and around Deep Creek Lake, Accident and Oakland - they feel that there are some good deals out there, and they are right! It has been a long time since you could find decent primary homes in the county for under $100,000. In fact, I just checked and there are 32 homes on the market at $100k or less - that's good news. Housing is becoming affordable again for people who live and work in Garrett County - it's been a few years since you could say that.

I was also fortunate to enjoy a few staples of the agricultural fair this week: A BBQ chicken dinner at the Lion's Club Pavilion, Rotary french fries, taking my kids to the carnival rides and ferris wheel, the banging of the demolition derby, strolling through the barns to see the cows, sheep, pigs and horses, and seeing all of the vendors & crafts in the display barns.

Later on, I'll upload a gallery of photos that I took on the boat ride over today, and throughout my travels at the fairgrounds. Check back!