The 125th Maryland State Fair officially kicks off today with various longtime crowd-pleasers and new acts that are expected to attract more than a half-million visitors during the fair?s 11-day run.
Tonight, pop star Raven Symone will perform on the fair?s infield at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. She will perform with special guest star Little Jay.
“I am expecting tremendous crowds with the quality of the entertainment,” said Bob Brickley, vice president at Triangle Talent, the fair?s concert producer.
“Raven Symone is all over the Disney Channel and attracts predominantly girls from the ages of 6 to 15 and their mothers.”
Symone first hit the television airwaves as precocious stepchild Oliva Kendell on “The Cosby Show” and now stars on a Disney Channel show “That?s So Raven.”
Other performers include country music star Chris Cagle, on stage Tuesday; and country music band Sawyer Brown on Sept. 1.
Both shows will start at 7:30 p.m. and are free with fair admission, Brickley said.
Fairgoers can play a mock version of the game show Jeopardy and take an inside look at the audition and testing process during the Jeopardy Brain Bus event, from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Traditional favorites this year include the Cow Milking Clinic with members of the Maryland Guernsey Youth Association.
“When the general public picks up a gallon of milk from their grocery store, they rarely stop to think about how it got there,” said Jo-Ann Chason, president of the Maryland Cooperative Guernsey Breeders Association and Milk Clinic Director.
“Our cow milking lessons will give fairgoers first-hand knowledge of our particular breed, how to properly milk a cow and the importance of milk in their diet.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Maryland State Fair will run through Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Ride hours vary and admission is $6 for adults and free for children under 12. Rides are priced individually. The fair will be at the Maryland State Fairgrounds at 2200 York Road in Timonium. For a listing of events, visit marylandstatefair.com.
